G. Antonio Fornari (active circa 1760-1791) Italian, Rome, 2nd half 18th century

the main scene stamped: FORNARI ROMA; the cherubs on top stamped: AF and marked several times with the bollo camerale (treasury seal); with its original octogonal gilt leather case bearing the arms of Don Luigi Braschi Onesti, Duke of Nemi, in brass.

Luigi Braschi Onesti, duke of Nemi, late 18th century
Private Collection, 1989, from whom acquired by the present owner

Grabski, J. (ed.), Opus sacrum. From the collection of Barbara Piasecka Johnson, exh. cat. Royal Castle Warsaw, 1990, cat. 78, pp. 379-381; A. González-Palacios, 'Un'acquasantiera per i Braschi,' Il gusto dei Principi. Arte di corte del XVII e del XVIII secolo, Milan 1993, pp. 301-302 & figs. 501-504.

Overall the condition of the stoup is excellent. There are minor stable cracks to the lapis lazuli and there is some minor dirt to the crevices. There is wear to the leather and gilding on the case, particularly at the edges.
"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."

This highly important Holy Water Stoup was famously celebrated by Alvar González-Palacios as being "amongst the highest expressions of the goldsmith's art in Rome" during the reign of Pope Pius VI (1775-1799) of the noble Braschi family. Indeed, this Holy Water Stoup was made for the pope's nephew, Don Luigi Braschi Onesti, Duke of Nemi since 1786. The original octogonal leather case bears the patron's coat of arms. The rarity and importance of the piece stems from the concurrence of precious materials, its large dimensions and its skillfull execution. Moreover, it synthesises the three major stylistic movements of the Roman Settecento in a single object: the late Baroque (with the central medaillon showing Saint John the Baptist Preaching in the Wilderness), the Rococo (with the irregular and asymmetrical contours of the frame and of the shell-shaped water receptacle), and finally, Neoclassicism (with the crowning bow). The Holy Water Stoup was probably intended for the private chapel in the Duke of Nemi's palace. However, given its survival within its original case it may have never been used, but it was certainly treated as a collector's object of the greatest value.