Florentine, Grand Ducal Workshops, late 17th/early 18th century

the wood carcase veneered in ebony mounted on all four sides and the lid with rectangular hardstone plaques inlaid in lapis, agate and marble with with flowers and insects interlaced with lapis lazuli ribbons, springing from agate shells within gilt bronze frames, the facetted corners with amethystine quartz, scrolling ormolu feet, plain interior, veneered in ebony banded olive wood reserves, steel hinges and lock plate with key (2)



 



 



 

Overall condition good. Front panel has crack to black marble just below keyhole (this is visible in catalogue photograph). Very minor replacements to pietra dura panels. Front right foot loose. The screws which attach feet are later. Front two feet do not sit flush with casket and, in fact, may have been moved from back to front. Brass back border trim around panel is plainer and differs in style (may be a replacement) as all other brass borders are the same. Some cracking to veneer and scratches and scruffs consistent with age.
"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."

A product of the Florentine Grand Ducal workshops of the late seventeenth and early eighteenth century, this type of craftsmanship combined the earlier Roman taste for pietre tenere mosaic with  Milanese hardstone sculpture. The primary objective of the workshop which comprised artists, architects, painters, stone carvers and metal-smiths was to manufacture opulent furnishings for the Grand Duke's residences and to distribute to foreign royalty as ambassadorial gifts. The court workshop had been set up in the Casino di San Marco,  moved to the Uffizi in 1586 and during the seventeenth century continued to develop; it is during this period that we see a stylistic development in Florentine craftsmanship, from the intricacy of Mannerist designs to the bold drama of the Baroque.

Giovanni Battista Foggini (1652-1725) was director of the Florentine Grand Ducal workshops under Duke Cosimo II (1670-1723). Drawings by Foggini in the Giornale of the workshop now in the Uffizzi and illustrated by Lankheit and Gonzalez-Palacios show designs for caskets and gilt bronze mounts which can be closely associated with the present finely detailed scroll mounts.

RELATED LITERATURE
K.Lankheit, Florentinische Barockplastik, Munich, 1962; A. M. Giusti, P. Mazzoni & A. P. Pampelloni Martelli, Il Museo dell'Opificio delle Pietre Dure a Firenze (Milan, 1978), c.f.; A. Gonzalez-Palacios, Il Tempio del Gusto: La Toscana e l'Italia Settentrionale, Milan, 1984, vol, p.43 and vol.II , nos 63 and 72; A. M. Massinelli, The Gilbert Collection Hardstones, London, 2000, 9-20, no. 3