Workshop of Baldassare Ubriachi Italian, Florence or Venice, circa 1390-1410 and later

Standish Robert Gage Prendergast Vereker, 7th Viscount Gort (1888-1975), Bunratty Castle, County Clare, Ireland

Overall the condition of the casket is good with minor dirt and wear to the surface consistent with age. As stated in the cataloguing, the bone panels enveloping the body of the casket are 14th/ early 15th century originals. The wood core and lid are a later reconstruction. Some of the Solomonic coloumns framing the panels are detached, and one or two lost. There top right corner of the lock panel is reattached and there is a small addition. The panel with cows detaches and the one next to it is loose. Some of the Solomonic columns appear to have been reattached. There are a few minor chips to some of the bone panels. There is grain to the bone consistent with the material. There are a few losses and warping to the intarsia in areas. A section of the lower wood moulding is lost, and there are minor losses to some of the joints. There is minor stable splitting to the wood consistent with the material. Some joints have opened up a bit but are stable, particularly to the lid. There are a few small losses to some of the horn inlay.There is particular dirt to the crevices and interior. Some of the arcades are reattached and there are glue residues.
"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."

The bone panels enveloping this magnificent casket compare closely with those on another coffer from the Ubriachi workshop in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London; these panels likewise depict the life of Paris (ex. Hildburgh collection; inv. no. A.19-1952). The most significant difference is a different set of panels for the abduction of Helen, with the present casket incorporating a more sophisticated narrative arrangement in which Helen is persuaded to elope and guided to a ship at sea. The scenes on the lid appear to be revivals and depict the life of Jason, including the battle with the dragon, with a number of the panels following the same scheme as those on another casket in the V&A (inv. no. 4304-1857).

RELATED LITERATURE
M. Tomasi, La Bottega degli Embriachi, cat. Museo Nazionale del Bargello, Florence, 2001; M. Tomasi, Monumenti d'avorio: I dossali degli Embriachi e i loro committenti, Pisa and Paris, 2010; P. Williamson and G. Davies, Medieval Ivory Carvings. 1200-1550. Part II, cat. Victoria and Albert Museum, London, 2014, pp. 809-827