A Small Siculo-Arabic Gilt-Metal Mounted Ivory Casket, Sicily, 12th century

of rectangular form with hinged lid, the ivory structure secured by gilt copper mounts with pointed terminals and lock plate, decorated with painted ornaments comprising birds within medallions

a large crack in the lid of structure. major rubbing to the painted ornaments, some birds not visible on the sides, copper mounts intact, rest of ivory also intact, as viewed.
"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 casket is a fine example of a twelfth-century tradition from Norman Sicily. Many of these caskets remain today, predominantly in the treasuries of churches across Western Europe where they served as reliquaries or acquired other sacred functions.

As a group, these caskets are stylistically cohesive, sharing a close similarity in form, scale, decoration and mounting. The same designs appear on numerous pieces; notably roundels with arabesques, birds or beasts and the same designs placed without retaining devices but often paired flanking other decorative elements. Unusually, in the case of this casket, a near-identical example is recorded from the Church of San Martin de Sisco, in the area of Brando in northern Corsica. The measurements vary slightly but the decoration is exactly the same composition of roundels and birds (Ferrandis 1940, p.187, no.67, plate XLIX). The similarity is emphasised by the use of comparable mounts with noticeably elongated bud terminals. This is useful testament to the production practices of the craftsmen working on these caskets.