SPANISH COLONIAL, CIRCA 1700 | Domed Casket

Overall, the condition of the casket is very good, with some dirt and wear to the surface consistent with age.The grain of the bone is visible, consistent with the material. Some of the bone inlay has been replaced, including a few triangles to the drawer at the front of the casket. There are minor chips and abrasions to the tortoiseshell parts, in particular to the edges, and there is some warping to some of the tortoiseshell pieces, in particular to the back. There is minor tarnishing to some of the silver mounts, in particular at the back, and there is a small dent to the central lockplate at the front. There is general wear to the lining on the inside of the casket and the drawers.
"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."

This large and intricately decorated casket, with geometrical patterns in bone and tortoiseshell, is part of a group of domed caskets of Mexican or South American origin. See comparable examples in the collection of Coll & Cortes, figures 14-17 (Marcos, op. cit., pp. 34-35). The silver fittings with the double-headed eagle (ibid., fig. 17) and the eight-pointed star pattern (ibid., fig. 15) also occur in these caskets. Compare further to a pair of Spanish Colonial caskets inlaid with ivory and mother-of-pearl, sold in these rooms on 11 December 2002, lot 23. RELATED LITERATURE
F. Marcos, Las Artes del Nuevo Mundo, Madrid, 2011, pp. 32-35