Classic Design: Furniture, Clocks, Silver & Ceramics
Classic Design: Furniture, Clocks, Silver & Ceramics
A near pair of Italian granito verde a erbetta urns, circa 1920
Lot Closed
November 12, 03:41 PM GMT
Estimate
10,000 - 15,000 GBP
We may charge or debit your saved payment method subject to the terms set out in our Conditions of Business for Buyers.
Read more.Lot Details
Description
each with a gadrooned edge and body and two scrolled handles, each on a circular socle on a square base; with tall parcel-gilt simulated marble plinths
urn only: approx. 55cm high, 82cm wide, 66cm deep; 21 5/8in., 32 1/4in., 26in.
each plinth: 92cm high, 38.5cm wide; 36 1/4in., 15 1/8in.
The urns probably from Sotheby's London, Fine Decorative Arts: The Nineteenth Century, 29th September 1999, lot 215.
According to Corsi, Granito verde erbetta comes from Wadi Umm Wikala in the eastern Egyptian dessert, and its name alludes to the green grassy appearance. It has also been called ofite because it was thought to come from Mons Ophyates (Wadi Semna). This name has been suggested to have come from 'ophytes' meaning snake, "because it was used in Hellenistic times for amulets to ward of the effects of snake bites, a superstition that persisted in Roman times" (https://www.oum.ox.ac.uk/corsi/stones/view/828).
