Byzantine-revival gold and enamel paper knife, Castellani, circa 1860

Possibly designed by Michelangelo Caetani, in the form of a Byzantine dagger, applied on both sides in blue, green and white cloisonné enamel, the handle decorated front and back with the figure of an angel seated on a cathedra and wearing a robe of translucent scarlet enamel, resting on a base of octagonal form, the enameled decoration resembling stained glass windows, length 10¾ inches, signed with interlaced C's.

The Collection of Alfredo Castellani, offered at auction in Rome in the  posthumous sale of his effects by P. and P. Santamaria, December 15-18, 1930, lot 39 in the catalogue. 

Christie's Geneva, May 14, 1987, lot 383.

Castellani and Italian Archaeological Jewellery, The Bard Graduate Center, New York, November 2004-February 2005, p. 43, fig. 2-18. Also exhibited at Somerset House, London, May -September 2005 and Villa Giulia, Rome, November 2005-February 2006.