Siculo-Arabic, 12th century

Sotheby's, London, 7 December 2010, lot 1

In view of the age of the object and the fragility of the thin ivory panels, the casket is in good condition with dirt and wear consistent with age. There are a number of losses to the ivory panels, including to the left corners of the top lid panel, to the left and right side panels on the body, to the thin upper panel on the right side of the body and to the thin upper panel on the back of the body. There are a number of stable splits to the ivory, most notably to the front panel and right side panel on the body; these particular splits were possibly caused through the insertion of the lock (a large cavity for the lock is visible from the interior). There are a number of small holes, mostly at the corners of each panel; these would have held pins, such as that remaining in the back right corner of the lid (most of these pins are now lost or replaced). There are later inserts to the bottom ivory panel at two corners, and two large pins/ plugs at the other corners. The lock, lock plate and framing straps may be replaced. All other mounts appear to be original and some are slightly loose. The bottom pinnacle of the central front strap is lost. There is wear to the gilding on all mounts. It is possible that some of the panels may have been reattached with glue.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

This casket is one of a group of ivory caskets which are mainly fitted with gilt copper mounts and are believed to have been made in Palermo by Muslim craftsmen during the twelfth-century Norman occupation. The mounts act both as highly decorative features of the whole and as supports for the delicate and fragile ivory walls. The small ring-and-dot motifs that feature at intervals around the lid in the form of small cruciform repeat patterns identify this group and can be found on chess pieces and other ivory objects attributed to 11th/12th-century Sicily. The traces of coloured pigment in the recesses of these incised elements suggest a more lavish original appearance.

An analagous casket, formerly in the Kofler-Truniger collection, was sold in these rooms on 27th April 2005, lot 71. Another example, but with raised claw feet, was also sold at Sotheby's on 13th October 2004, lot 35. Other Siculo-Arabic caskets can be found in in the Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore (inv. no. 71.310) and in the Doha Museum (inv. no. iv.03.97).

RELATED LITERATURE
R. H. Randall Jr, Masterpieces of Ivory From the Walters Art Gallery, London, 1985, no. 232, pp. 158-159; M. Rosser-Owen, Ivory. 8th to 17th centuries. Treasures from the Museum of Islamic Art, Qatar, Doha, 2004, no. 5, pp. 24-29; H. Schnitzler, F. Volbach and P. Bloch, Skulpturen: Elfenbein, Perlmutter, Stein, Holz, Europäisches Mittelalter, Sammlung E. und M. Kofler-Truniger, Luzern, Band1, Stuttgart, 1964, no. S25, p. 16