Master Sculpture and Works of Art Part II
Master Sculpture and Works of Art Part II
Property from the Estate of Alexis Gregory, sold to Benefit the Alexis Gregory Foundation
South German, 16th century
Eight Surgeon's tools
Lot Closed
January 30, 07:48 PM GMT
Estimate
15,000 - 20,000 USD
Lot Details
Description
South German, 16th century
Eight Surgeon's tools
the smaller of the curved knives with the inventory number 'Ei 714 d' on the edge of the blade
Mother-of-pearl-inlaid and parcel-gilt etched steel
comprising two saws, a hammer, two curved, notched knives, a needle, a scalpel, and a hinged blade, all now within later glazed box frame
length of implements 8 3/8 to 12 7/8 in.; 21.3 to 32.7cm.
framed 14 5/8 by 23 3/4 in.; 37 by 60.3cm.
The Collection of Barons Nathaniel and Albert von Rothschild, Rothschild inv. no. AR3107;
Their sale, Christies, London, 7 July 1999, lot 152
Their sale, Christies, London, 7 July 1999, lot 152
There is considerable discussion surrounding the function of these sets of implements. In his entry on another set in the Waddesdon Collection (The James A. de Rothschild Collection at Waddesdon Manor, vol. V, Arms, Armour and Base-Metalwork, London, 1974, no. 198, pp. 449-452), Claude Blair discusses the possibility that they might originally have been used as horticultural implements or hunting tools.