The composition, with long curves on both sides of the diagonal from lower left to upper right, the conscious color distribution with many repetitions in the hues and with red accents along the diagonal, the repetition of some shapes (e.g. the flowers in the top of the goblet and the orange blossoms) and the delicate detailing are characteristic details found in paintings by de Heem. Such details also the edge of fine hairs of the Orange Tip which are hardly seen with the nake eye, the affected leaves of the apricot and the reflections in the goblet.

Dr. Sam Segal believes the above lot to be a late work by Jan Davidsz. de Heem, and he dates it to the early or mid 1670s. Dr. Segal compares it with a 1667 dated work in the Musée des Beaux-Arts in Brussels (inv. no. 3166, canvas, 86 x 71cm.), noting in particular comparisons found in the details of the lobster on the jeweled box and the Chinese bowl of fruit. The above lot may also be compared with a 1675 dated flower garland with fruit in a private collection. Here the similarities can be found in the grapes and other fruits, the blossoms and snail. Dr. Segal also notes that the signature of the above lot supports the date, as it is similar to other signatures on documents of the same period (cf. S. Segal et al., Jam Davidsz de Heen en zijn kring, 1991, p. 56).

We are grateful to Dr. Sam Segal, who studied the painting in the original, for confirming the attribution to the artist and for his assistance with the above entry.

Dr. Eric Meijer believes the above lot to be a late work by Jan Davidsz. de Heem, dateable to circa 1670s, which may also include some studio participation.