German or French, second half 18th century

Brussels, Musée de la Maison d'Erasme, Anatomie des Vanités, 2008

A. Vanautgaerden (ed.), Anatomie des Vanités, exh. cat., Musée Maison d'Erasme, Brussels, 2008, p. 87

Overall the condition of the ivory and wood is good with minor dirt and wear to the surface consistent with age. The finial on the orb is lost. There are a few minor lacunae to the ivory: in particular to near the top where there are small sequential lacunae running through all four tiers of pierced orb and down through the central spiked orb; this may have been where the natural nerve ending/ pulp cavity of the tusk ran. There are some losses nearby at the inner most pierced orb. The orbs may have been reattached to the stem, which is partially restored. There is minor stable splitting to both the wood and the ivory both consistent with the material; particularly at the foot. There is a small ivory plug at the upper moulding of the foot. There is some dirt and variation in colour to the 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. 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."

Compare to a similarly pierced sphere on a turned ebony and ivory socle, sold at Sotheby's New York, January 26, 2007, lot 246. Sometimes conceived as elaborate ensembles of pierced globes, an example of a centrepiece with four smaller and one large pierced sphere, all on ebony and ivory socles, mounted on an ebony and ivory pedestal, was sold at Sotheby's Monte Carlo on 27 May 1980.