After Jacques Callot (1592-1635) French or Flemish, 17th century

the title plaque inscribed: Les MISERES ET LES MALHEURS DE LA GUERRE \ Representez Par IACQUES CALLOT Noble Lorrain \ ET mis en lumiere par ISRAEL son amy. \ A Paris 1633. \ Avec Privilege du Roy and each engraving with an explanatory caption

Overall the condition of the ivory is good with minor dirt and wear to the surfaces consistent with age. There is stable splitting to the ivory consistent with the material, in particular to the top panels and roundel. There are a few restorations to the ivory panels, including to nine of them at the centre of the bottom edges. There is wear to the wood frame consistent with age, including minor stable splitting consistent with the material. There are also a few losses to the edges. There is wear and some losses to the high points of the mouldings. There is some warping to the wood, consistent with age, including to the top and bottom inner mouldings. There are a few restorations to the corners of the frame.
"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."

Another set of ivory plaques engraved with scenes after Callot's Miseries of War series was offered at Sotheby's, London, on 7 April 1987, lot 212. Callot's engravings were inspired by the horrors of the Thirty Years War (1618–1648). They show a group of delinquent soldiers rampaging through the countryside, raping and pillaging, before being reprimanded and punished by their superiors. The captions, which were written by Abbé Michel de Marolles (1600-1681), add a further layer of realism to Callot's fictive scenes. The present reliefs are distinguished by the inclusion of additional portrait roundels and the impressive ebonised frame, which adds a monumental quality to the whole.

RELATED LITERATURE
H. D. Russell, Jacques Callot. Prints and Related Drawings, Washington, 1975, pp. 224-262, nos. 195-213