An Italian Collecting Journey: 16th–20th Century Paintings and Decorative Arts | The Online Sale

View full screen - View 1 of Lot 245. An oval engraved mother-of-pearl plaque, 17th century, probably Venice and a possibly Italian gold binding, Venice, circa 1760, maker’s mark PM.

An oval engraved mother-of-pearl plaque, 17th century, probably Venice and a possibly Italian gold binding, Venice, circa 1760, maker’s mark PM

Restricted SpeciesAlternate Warehouse

Lot Closed

September 26, 10:46 AM GMT

Estimate

7,000 - 10,000 EUR

Lot Details

Description

The plaque depicting 'La Battaglia del Ponte dei Pugni' (The fighting bridge) in Venice, within a polished and wrought-iron oval frame applied with flowers and foliages, an open crown on the reverse

Width. 12 cm (4 .3/4 in.)

The binding engraved with a rococò medallion engraved with initials “ANM” above a crown on the reverse with initials “IV” with a scrolling foliage frame, mark on one side: maker's mark

Width. 18 cm. (7 1/8 in.), gross weight. 150 gr. (4.82 oz.)

Please note that this lot includes endangered species, which will require a CITES permit for export. Please refer to the Guide for Buyers at Auction and Conditions of Business for Buyers for additional information.

Please note that this lot contains restricted materials. Sotheby's is not able to assist buyers with the shipment of any lots containing restricted materials into the U.S.A. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service reserves the right to block any export or import to the United States. A buyer’s inability to export or import these lots, or a seizure by a government agency, cannot justify any delay in payment or the cancellation of the sale.

The plaque:

The Princely House of Liechtenstein, Vienna and Liechtenstein

Christie’s Amsterdam, Liechtenstein Property from the Collection of the Princely House of Liechtenstein, 1 April 2008, lot 164.

The binding: Sotheby’s Paris, 1 December 2011, lot 214

The Ponte dei Pugni in Venice, represented on the plaque, is the bridge where rival gangs from the Serenissima (the Castellani and the Nicolotti) were allowed to fight, with the loser being thrown overboard into the Grand Canal. These fights were banned in 1705, but you can still see the marks on the ground indicating the position of the opponents.

Gold bindings are extremely rare. This one is engraved only with the goldsmith's mark, but this mark is typical of Venetian goldsmiths; the decoration of the binding is also reminiscent of Italian bindings, very often Venetian, sometimes Roman. These bindings are almost exclusively intended for use with Hebrew books.

The export of this property from Italy (including to other Member States of the European Union), as well as export from the European Union, may be subject to one or more export or import licenses being granted by competent authorities. Please note that potential delays may apply due to this procedure.

L'esportazione di questa proprietà dall’Italia (anche verso altri Stati membri dell'Unione Europea), così come l'esportazione dall'Unione Europea, potrebbe essere soggetta al rilascio di una o più licenze di esportazione o importazione. Si prega di notare che questa procedura potrebbe comportare dei ritardi.

Please note that Condition 12 of the Conditions of Business for Buyers is not applicable to this lot.