Lot 2
  • 2

An Italian tortoiseshell, mother-of-pearl and gold piqué dish, Naples, mid-18th century

Estimate
4,000 - 6,000 EUR
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Description

  • tortoise shell, mother of pearl
  • Long. 19 cm., larg. 15,3 cm. ; Length 7½in., width 6in.
of oval scalloped outline, decorated with foliage and shells, with two hunters amongst ruins and a village scene

Condition

The illustration is accurate despite being too red. Good overall condition. There are minor surface scratches. There are two minor cracks near the hand of the central figure. There are minute chips to the edges. A rare and beautiful dish.
"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."

Catalogue Note

Attributed to the Neapolitan jeweller and silversmith, Laurenzini in the mid-17th century, the procedure of the "piqué" involves softening the tortoiseshell in order to impress the mother-of-pearl or gold design and silver strips and thereby create a pattern without using any glue.

Four different techniques are described in Diderot and d'Alembert's Encyclopédie (1751) : "point d'or", where minute holes are filled with melted gold or silver, "coulé", which is the same technique used for linear engravings, "incrusté" made with mother-of-pearl or gold plaques, "posé", with the technique of combining all three previous methods, employed for the most luxurious pieces.