A rare Southern Italian parcel-gilded wrought iron monastery grille 16th/17th century

of rectangular form cast with trelliswork  with an aperture, now mounted in a modern green painted wooden frame 

Gilding worn. In overall good condition. Very unusual and rare piece. 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:
Henry René D'Allemagne, Decorative Antique Ironwork, A Pictorial Treasury, New York, 2004, plates 9 and 10.

This rare grille was originally in a monastery, probably in Southern Italy, as the lock mechanism and the key are typical of Southern Italian production. D'Allemgane, op. cit.,  plate  9, for a grille wrought in a similar design, reproduced here in fig.1. Also see, plate 10, of the same publication, for a 15th century iron grille from a religious community in Évreux, also with a small aperture, reproduced here in fig. 2.

The influence of the East on the Western art and on the decoration of this piece should not be discounted, as a jali (or jaali) is the term for a perforated stone or latticed screen usually with an ornamental pattern constructed through the use of calligraphy and geometry. Early work was purely carved into stone, while the later on the Mughals employed the technique of inlay, using marble and semi-precious stones.This architectural decoration was used in Islamic as well as Indian architecture.