AN ITALIAN SILVER CENTERPIECE DISH

MARK OF ANIELLO SIMIOLI, NAPLES, 1695

Details

AN ITALIAN SILVER CENTERPIECE DISH
MARK OF ANIELLO SIMIOLI, NAPLES, 1695
Formed as two tiers, each comprising three shells supported on an openwork baluster stem, the lower dishes raised on three feet formed as mermaids astride dolphins, the lower tier applied with infant tritons on dolphins, the upper tier applied with hippocamps, the finial in the form of a winged figure, marked on upper and lower tier
10 in. (25.4 cm.) high; 24 oz. 10 dwt. (772gr.)

Provenance

Sir J. Stirling Maxwell
Christie's, London, 5 February, 1958, lot 268
Christie's, London, 11 November, 1967, lot 138

Lot Essay

Aniello Simioli worked from 1694-1739 and his mark is found on the bust of Saint Mauro in the Cathedral of Bisceglie. Centerpieces of this style were produced by several Neapolitan silversmiths circa 1700. An example by Gaetano Starace of 1697, also with hippocamps and mermaids, is illustrated in Elio and Corrado Catello, Argenti Napoletani, 1973, pp. 226-27.

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