A rare Italian gilt-bronze and lavastone mounted nécessaire de voyage, Neapolitan late 18th/early 19th century

of rectangular form, the hinged top opening to reveal a coffee service carved from black marble, with four cups and saucers and a neo-classical gadrooned tazza and cover, the exterior mounted with fifty-four lavastone panels depicting figures in a variety of scenes including the eruption of Vesuvius and scenes from Neapolitan daily life, within a gilt-bronze framework with lavastone grotesque masks at the intersections

The gilding is more golden and attractive than in the catalogue photograph. The casting of the gilt-bronze and the detail to the carving is of very good quality. All the saucers are restored with a minor chip to the rim of one. One cup has restored breaks as does the tazza and cover but these have been very well executed and are not too noticeable. Some of the panels have restorations but these have been so well executed that they are hardly noticeable and the majority of the lavastone panels are in perfect condition. This jewel-like piece of is very rare. In very good overall condition. A unique piece and highly recommended.
"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."

Comparative Literature:
Ian Jenkins and Kim Sloan, Vases and Volcanoes, Sir William Hamilton and his collection, London, 1996, p. 67, fig. 31.
Exhibition catalogue, Civilta dell' Ottocento, Le arti figurative, Museo di Capodimonte, Caserta, Palazzo Reale, 25th October 1997-26th April 1998, Naples 1997

Naples in the 18th century was the ultimate destination for the Grand Tourist. The frescoes excavated at Herculaneum were displayed in galleries and together with the ruins of Pompeii appealed to the prevailing taste for classical art, providing inspiration for decoration in the `à la grecque' style. This unusual nécessaire de voyage in lavastone illustrates scenes from the daily life of Neapolitans and typifies the taste in the 18th and 19th century for Grand Tour souvenirs. 

Sir William Hamilton (1730-1803) was in his time a renowned antiquary, natural historian and connoisseur. He was the British Ambassador to Naples and lived there for thirty-six years, his reputation attracting Grand Tourists to Naples. He was fascinated by Vesuvius and packed up his `complete collection of every sort of matter produced by Mount Vesuvius, which I have been collecting with some pains for these three years past' and sent it to the British Museum. Jenkins and Sloan, op. cit., p. 67, fig. 31 illustrate specimens of rocks and lava from Mount Vesuvius given by Sir William Hamilton to the British Museum.

It is also worthwhile considering a Neapolitan encrier, first half 19th century, mounted with various stones including lavastone, illustrated in the exhibition catalogue, p. 179, no. 6.55 which illustrates the versatility of lavastone and the tradition of its manufacture into objects in Naples in the 18th and 19th centuries.