CIRCA 1880

Details

A GERMAN CARVED IVORY RELIEF PAINTED WITH FRENCH HISTORICAL SCENES
CIRCA 1880
Centred by a portrait of Louis XIV within an elaborately carved ground set with historical scenes, portraits and coats of arms, within a moulded wood frame
26 x 42 in. (66 x 107 cm.)

Special notice

Prospective purchasers are advised that several countries prohibit the importation of property containing materials from endangered species, including but not limited to coral, ivory and tortoiseshell. Accordingly, prospective purchasers should familiarize themselves with relevant customs regulations prior to bidding if they intend to import this lot into another country.

Brought to you by

Adam Kulewicz

akulewicz@christies.com +44 (0)20 7389 2898

Lot Essay

The central miniature depicts the Sun King, Louis XIV (d. 1715). Immediately above him is Cardinal Jules Mazarin (d. 1661), first minister of France during the King's minority, and Jean-Baptiste Colbert (d. 1683), his Minister of Finance. Louis is flanked by military scenes probably derived from a set of tapestries, Histoire du Roi, woven for the King at the Gobelins Manufactory in France from the 1660s. The tapestries cartoons or templates are by Mathieu and Pierre de Sève, after designs by Charles Le Brun and Adam Frans van der Meulen; one of the scenes is represented in oil, The crossing of the Rhine at Tolhuis on 12 June 1672 by van der Meulen. The carved ivory motifs on this relief are inspired by 16th century Mannerist designs of the first French School of Fontainebleau.

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