A carved ostrich egg with amorous scenes, Sri Lanka, probably Indo-Dutch, dated 1771

carved in relief with four linked scenes in foliate cartouches showing: a lady receiving a letter; a couple trysting on a garden bench; the same couple exchanging gifts including possibly a dowry purse with the letters "SVM" above the date 1771; and, a pair of billing doves standing on a double heart with linked hands and the initials "CBI" and "IDB" with winged cherubs trumpeting a fanfare above; the interstices filled with scrolls, flowerheads and leaves, pierced with a circular aperture at the top, an ivory toggle placed in the interior threaded to a burgundy-coloured silk tassel with wooden toggle wrapped in reticulated silver thread

Christopher Gibbs (b.1938), London
Acquired in 1966

The composition contains architectural elements which, albeit stylised, betray a distinct Dutch character showing a gabled brick house typical of the Low Countries, whilst the initials "IDB" (perhaps of one of the betrothed) has the capital "D" carved smaller than the other letters (perhaps indicating "der" or "de" in the middle of the name). It might reasonably be argued that these elements point to a Dutch patron, a hypothesis that is further supported by the lush floral and foliate elements in the design which have much in common with Indo-Dutch carved ivory boxes made in Sri Lanka at this time. Dutch colonial rule in Sri Lanka lasted from 1640 up until 1796.

Similarly carved ostrich eggs from Sri Lanka are to be found in the Kunstkammer of the Württembergisches Landesmuseum, Stuttgart, possibly by the same hand.