Lot 74 D‡α

Francis van Bossuit, attributed to

A carved ivory relief with the flaying of Marsyas, attributed to François van Bossuit

Ivory, carved. This astonishingly fine and, in the smooth areas, exceptionally thinly carved relief depicts the satyr Marsyas bound to a tree. Marsyas was sentenced by Apollo to be flayed alive after challenging him to a music contest. Following his training in Brussels and a sojourn in Antwerp, François van Bossuit, the author of this relief, resided in Italy from 1655 to 1660, where he was able to study the works of François Duquesnoy and Bernini. Following his return to the north, he settled in Amsterdam where he specialised in the production of small format ivory reliefs designed to appeal to private collectors interested in cabinet pieces, and became exceedingly successful. A further ivory relief with a very similar composition and identical dimensions but vastly varying details signed by François van Bossuit is housed in a private collection in Toronto.
With a minor replacement to the centre of the left margin, slightly yellowed, the surface slightly soiled, otherwise in pristine condition. 21 x 11 x 2.5 cm.