A Siculo-Arabic revival wood casket, Italy or Sicily, 19th century

of rectangular form with domed, hinged lid, the carved surface decoration comrising bands with calligraphic inscriptions, foliate vines, geometric designs and entwining roundels containing animals, with brass mounts with palmette terminals, and floral rosette handles, textile lined with 18th century European pieced floral silk damask fragments, with key, old pre-war collection label 'Key of Carved Box - From J.Miller Calder, House Furnisher and Antique Dealer, Thurso'

In general good condition, the original metal lock plate possibly missing or could have not existed, one of lock hinges broken, one of mounts for ball foot slightly loose, the interior with old textile, worn and torn, few very minor breaks to wood sections, otherwise good, as viewed.
"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, which was most probably produced in the nineteenth century, takes inspiration directly from a superb wood and ivory-set casket in the Cappella Palatina treasury, Palermo (inv. no. 161) attributed to Egypt with a date between 1130-70 (Rosser-Owen 2011, no. VI). It is interesting to note the close attention to detail in our casket's design; the roundels containing abstract animals and foliate details, the lock plate (which on the original would have been brass) have been copied almost identically, but in wood. The only difference lies in the sizes of both caskets and on the top of the lid, which on the Cappella Palatina example is filled by a calligraphic panel. Most probably reproduced by a craftsman who had seen black and white images of the Cappella Palatina casket, or possibly even the real one, this casket attests to the continued interest in Islamic works of art into the nineteenth century.

The present lot is accompanied by radiocarbon analysis which dates the wood between 1648 and 1803.