A Italian gilt-bronze and Sicilian jasper mounted frame, Roman or Neapolitan first half 18th century

the arched cresting with a sunburst motif above a later oval mirror plate within a lunette cast border surmounted by an eagle amongst clouds with foliate trails, with a jasper ground within an engraved leaf cast border, the apron cast with a stylised scallopshell flanked by c-scrolls and sprays of palm leaves above a female mask with plaits terminating in a tassel and scallopshell with a scrolled cartouche; the back with handwritten label in ink ` Sig Princip Cellamare' and the printed inv. no 223; originally a Devotional piece

Formerly in the Collections of Principi Cellamare, Naples

In overall good conserved condition. The colour of the gilding is more golden and jasper is more vibnrant and more attractive than in the catalogue photograph. The gilt-bronze mount on the cresting is a little loose and just needs the screw tightening up. There are some minor cracks in the jasper which can easily be filled and some old restored cracks and a very miniscule triangular chip to the jasper at the base of the right side as visible from the catalogue photograph.The quality of the casting and chasing of the mounts is very good. There are also some minor scattered chips to the jasper border. There is a small section of the jasper border surrounding the mirror on the top right side which will need replacing (approx 5cm x 3cm) as visible from catalogue photograph on p. 89. The gilt-bronze outer border on the sides is slightly tarnished in places and would benefit from a light clean according to taste. Some screws are missing from the gilt-bronze border which can easily be replaced.
"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."

Comparative Literature:
Massimo Pisani, Palazzo Cellamare, cinque secoli di civiltà napoletana, Electa Naples, 2003.

A related design for a frame by G. Giardini (1646-1721) which is conceived in a similar spirit with scrolls, scallopshells and oak leaves as on the present frame  is now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, reproduced here in fig. 1.

The Cellamare Family:
Nicolò (1587-1681), first prince of Cellamare was originally from Genoa and then went to Naples. His son Domenico (1637-1724), second prince of Cellamare and second Duke of Giovinazzo had a son called Antonio (1657-1733), who was born in Naples and brought up in the Court of Spain where his father was in attendance. Domenico, has been Treasurer during the reign of the Spanish in Naples and the Spanish ambassador to the Duke of Savoy and French and Portuguese Kings. Antonio acquired the palace in 1696 for 18,000 ducats and immediately set about ambitious building works by the architect Antonio Picchiatti (1617-1694) which resulted in the grandiose building that exists today.

In May 1715, Antonio was summoned to Paris to be the ambassador for the Spanish crown at exactly the same time when the question of the succession of Louis XIV arose.The Duke of Anjou, grandson of Louis XIV, became King of Spain and wanted to resieze power as Louis XIV had declared in his will. As ambassador of Spain, Antonio del Giudice Cellamare helped him and organised a plan which failed. He had three children with Anna Camilla Borghese: Angelo was born in 1694 and died in the same year, Nicola (1696-1725), who did not have any children and Costanza (1697-1770) who married Francesco Caracciolo, Prince of Villa S. Maria in 1722.