embriachi school Italian, Venetian, late 15th century

the rectangular wood casket overlaid with bone panels illustrating scenes from the story of Jason within alla certosina coloured wood borders

Overall condition is good with evidence of painstaking restoration which has been expertly done. On the underside of the casket there is evidence of old worm damage. The apron around the base of the casket has had sections of horn and bone stringing replaced as well as some of the certosina border. The rim around the top edge of the casket and the bottom of the lid has had similar restoration expertly done. One area of horn veneer beneath the right hand hinge has lifted and become detached but this can be very easily reattached, another section of horn below the left hand hinge is missing. Key hole mount replaced as well as a few areas of stringing.
"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."

The Embriachi workshop was active in Venice and founded by Baldassare degli Embriachi in the early 15th century. Small reliefs of ivory but more often of cow bone were assembled on wood carcases within certosina wood borders. The scenes on the present casket depict episodes from the story of Jason including the arrival on the island of Colchis and the slaying of the dragon before a rockwork niche enclosing the Golden Fleece. The lid is stepped and applied with a border of flying putti holding a heart shape in the centre.

Two caskets with similar scenes from the life of Jason are in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London (inv. no. 4304-1857, 3265-1856) and illustrated by Longhurst. The subject was popular in the workshop and is derived from the "Roman de Troie" of Benoit de Saint-Maure.

RELATED LITERATURE
M. H. Longhurst, Catalogue of Carvings in Ivory , Victoria and Albert Museum catalogue (London, 1929) p. 65, pl. LX, LXI