A South German turned ivory cup and cover 17th century

the stepped irregular nine-faceted base with scrolling openwork frieze, the stem comprised of staggered stacked mandorla-sectioned elements, a foliate ring below a stepped faceted cup, the conforming lid topped with an ornate gadrooned urn-form knop below a pierced sphere containing a flat circular container and lid, surmounted by a small floral finial.

Axel Vervoort, Antwerp

Chip on interior ring under base. Two of the foliate points with losses. One facet of upper cup with vertical age crack. Several cracks and small losses on sphere, two of these cracks repaired. Chip to one edge of internal element. Small losses and repair to uppermost foliate element (which may be later). Otherwise minor abrasions, some small losses and inherent variations in ivory.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The irregularly faceted section of the present cup and the staggered stem are emblematic of an eccentric, mannerist spirit.  The mandorla-sectioned forms which make up the stem, seemingly stacked discs rotating on a central axis to point in various directions, are in fact turned from one piece of ivory.  This motif is similar to that on the stem of a cup in the Grünes Gewölbe in Dresden, signed by Georg Wecker and dated 1581 (Maurice 1985, p. 68, no. 64).  The lid features a loose cylindrical compartment turned within a pierced sphere; carving a turned form within a sphere was one of the most challenging and highly praised feats of the virtuoso turner.  The now-empty container may have been intended to enclose painted portraits, similar to those seen in the tour de force turned ivory contrefait attributed to the Zick family and their circle (see lot 768).