Italian, Venice, circa 1600

with two secret sliding draws, respectively in the lid and underneath the chamber; the sliding draw in the lid with illegible pencil inscriptions, and blue and yellow paint inscriptions: X .R2H07. and stamped: R1316; the lower draw inscribed in black ink: GIUSEPPE CON...

Overall the condition of the casket is good with minor dirt and wear to the surface consistent with age. There is minor wear to the gilt and polychromed and black lacquer decoration throughout, particularly at the high points and edges, such as at the the pilasters, at the corners and edges and tops of the moldings. There is particular wear to the polychromed lacquer circles, intended to represent jewels adorning the main panels on the body. There is minor warping to some of the mother of pearl panels, consistent with age. There is minor evidence of non-active worming to the wood. There are a few small chips and losses to the wood, including to the front left top corner. There is minor stable splitting to the wood, consistent with the material, particularly to the bottom right corner of the right side above the lower concealed draw. It is possible that some of the gilding may have been refreshed, most particularly to the wave-like border running along the bottom edge. The interior velvet lining appears to be a later addition, as does the mirror. The lock is replaced and there is wear to this area where the earlier lock would have been. The lock is operational.
"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 beautiful casket is one of a rare group of Islamic inspired lacquer-work boxes, inset with mother of pearl panels adorned with arabesques, produced in Venice during the second half of the 16th century. Of the few such pieces to survive (many of which are in public collections), there is a signed and dated 1593 virginal by Giovanni Celestini in the Royal College of Music Museum in London illustrated by Gonzalez-Palacios; it has similar gilt decoration to the mother of pearl panels of the present casket. Note also a book cover now in the Gulbenkian Museum Lisbon signed by Marino Grimani and dated 1597.

A very similar casket to the present example was sold in these rooms on 9 July 2008, lot 77, formerly in the collection of Prince Amaury de Mérode (1902-1980) who was a direct descendant of Louis XIV.

RELATED LITERATURE
A. González-Palacios, Il Tempio de Gusto, Milan, 1986, vol. I., pp. 307-9, vol. II, pp. 329-31, pl. 698-700, 703; M. Riccardi-Cubitt, The Art of the Cabinet, London, 1992, p.75; Venezia e l'Islam 828 - 1797, exh. cat., Palazzo Ducale, Venice, 2007, pp. 265-266