意大利彩色硬石及大理石片鑲嵌畫匾描繪福音傳道者聖約翰，銅鎏金邊框，佛羅倫薩大公爵工坊於1749年製造，受神聖羅馬帝國皇帝法蘭茲一世（1708-1765年）委託而製

seated with the book of the gospel and holding a quill, his robe is green jadeite and red Candia jasper, the flesh in Volterra chalcedony, the hair in Sicilian jasper and Egyptian cailloux, to the right of the figure is the emblem of the saint, the eagle, the plumage in petrified wood, within an  oval frame of black Belgian marble applied with low relief scrolling foliage in chalcedony within a rectangular gilt-bronze frame with moulded corners, the reverse with a support in oak

本拍品乃受神聖羅馬帝國皇帝法蘭茲一世（1745-1765年在位，見圖1）委託而製作，他本名法蘭茲·史蒂芬（1708-1765年），身兼洛林公爵、托斯卡尼大公（1737年起），更是著名的奧地利女王瑪麗亞·特蕾莎的丈夫。本品於1749年被送到維也納法蘭茲一世的手中，後來可能作為皇家禮物被送贈予匈牙利貴族希齊（Zichy）家族的卡羅利伯爵二世（Count Károly II）約塞夫·芬仁·薩瓦爾·希齊（József Ferenc Xaver Zichy，1753-1826年）（見圖2）；自此由希齊伯爵家族收藏，可能曾收藏於意大利威尼斯的葛拉西皇宮（Palazzo Grassi）。
自此由歐洲貴族收藏。

In very good original condition. Beautiful choice of stones and detail displaying virtuoso craftsmanship. The panel has some miniscule losses at North, West, East and South on the plaque eg the small roundel on the top and one on the side and one on the base together with part of a scroll in the center of the top and another in the middle of left side and a very minor section of the black ground in the middle of the right side which can easily be restored. There is a slightly raised hairline crack running through the eagle head as visible from the catalogue photograph, which does not need attention. The gilt-bronze is slightly dirty and would benefit from a light clean according to taste.
"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."

此意大利彩色硬石及大理石片畫匾於1749年由洛林公爵法蘭茲·史蒂芬（1708-1765年）委託而製作，他於1737年起為托斯卡尼大公，後成為神聖羅馬帝國皇帝法蘭茲一世（1745-1765年在位）。本品被送到維也納法蘭茲一世的手中，後來可能作為皇家禮物被送贈予匈牙利貴族希齊（Zichy）家族的卡羅利伯爵二世（Count Károly II）約塞夫•芬仁•薩瓦爾•希齊（József Ferenc Xaver Zichy，1753-1826年）。

本畫匾由各式意大利彩色硬石馬賽克組成，以橢圓形比利時黑色大理石底板配銅鎏金邊框，隨卡羅‧多奇（Carlo Dolci）（1616 –1686）之畫作描繪福音傳道者聖約翰。他手執福音書與羽毛筆正襟危坐，身穿之長袍以碧綠翡翠而製，斗篷為坎地亞紅玉；皮膚的深淺以不同色澤的沃爾泰拉玉髓呈現，頭髮部份則以西西里碧玉及埃及卵石而成。聖約翰右方的雄鷹為其神聖象徵，其羽翼由木化石製成。

根據資料紀錄，此畫匾被稱為「聖約翰之畫」（il quadro con San Giovanni）。雖然法蘭茲•史蒂芬只於1739年曾到訪過一次佛羅倫薩及托斯卡尼大公屬地，他依然非常熟悉且欣賞當中的精湛工藝，其因馬蒂奇（Medici）家族而廣為人知，得以聞名歐洲。從法蘭茲•史蒂芬即位早年開始便委託訂製了很多工藝作品，並一一送抵維也納。此畫匾展現了無與倫比的巨匠工藝，精練獨到的色彩構置，實是如此標誌性作品的成功典範。