Sale Highlights

Especially during the eighteenth century in Italy and France, goldsmiths celebrated tortoiseshell for the beautiful contrast in colour to the precious metal. The shades ranged from an amber colour, as seen in the wonderful Neapolitan gold and tortoiseshell piqué tray, circa 1730 (lot 10), and a darker version in the rare mother of pearl and gold inlaid casket of similar date and origin (lot 11), to a dark chocolate brown colour to be found in the box used as a vehicle for the portrait miniature of an attractive young man in armour after Rubens (lot 16).

Gold and Tortoiseshell Objects of Vertu across a Century

Silver from Strasbourg

The Danish Georg Jensen Silver

The Italian Buccellati Silversmithy

The Italian Buccellati Silver

German Silver 

Paris

Head of Department, Silver and Vertue

Thierry de Lachaise

Head of Vertu and Gold Boxes

Alexandra Starp

Associated Cataloger

Juan Pinedo

Pre Sale Coordinator | Decorative arts

Margaux Zoi

Meet our Specialists

For assistance with bidding and registration, please contact: +33 (0) 1 53 05 53 48 
 
 <a class="Link" href="mailto:enquiries@sothebys.com">enquiries@sothebys.com</a>

Stay informed with Sotheby’s top stories, videos, events &amp; news.

This June, Sotheby’s Paris presents Design 17/20 offering a vast panorama silver and gold boxes from the early 17th to the 21st century. This sale is defined by a worldly exploration of design across the centuries, and encompasses decorative and collectable silver and objects of vertu to intrigue new collectors as well as seasoned enthusiasts.

Design 17/20: Silver and Gold Boxes