A SOUTH GERMAN ORMOLU-MOUNTED, PIETRA DURA, PEWTER AND BONE-INLAID EBONY, ROSEWOOD AND TORTOISESHELL CABINET-ON-STAND
A SOUTH GERMAN ORMOLU-MOUNTED, PIETRA DURA, PEWTER AND BONE-INLAID EBONY, ROSEWOOD AND TORTOISESHELL CABINET-ON-STAND
A SOUTH GERMAN ORMOLU-MOUNTED, PIETRA DURA, PEWTER AND BONE-INLAID EBONY, ROSEWOOD AND TORTOISESHELL CABINET-ON-STAND
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Prospective purchasers are advised that several co… Read more
A SOUTH GERMAN ORMOLU-MOUNTED, PIETRA DURA, PEWTER AND BONE-INLAID EBONY, ROSEWOOD AND TORTOISESHELL CABINET-ON-STAND

LATE 17TH CENTURY, THE PIETRA DURA PROBABLY FLORENTINE, THE STAND FIRST HALF 19TH CENTURY

Details
A SOUTH GERMAN ORMOLU-MOUNTED, PIETRA DURA, PEWTER AND BONE-INLAID EBONY, ROSEWOOD AND TORTOISESHELL CABINET-ON-STAND
LATE 17TH CENTURY, THE PIETRA DURA PROBABLY FLORENTINE, THE STAND FIRST HALF 19TH CENTURY
The central architectural cupboard door inlaid with a flowering vase and flanked by Solomonic columns, enclosing a fitted interior with panelled drawers, the outer drawers inlaid with pietra dura and coral birds, floral sprays, and a village scene, the panelled sides with lozenges, on an associated floral-inlaid stand, losses
67 ½ in. (171.5 cm.) high; 62 ½ in. (158.5 cm.) wide; 22 ½ in. (57 cm.) deep
Provenance
Probably at Townhill Park, Hampshire until 1948 or at 12 Kensington Palace Gardens, London.
The Property of Lady Swaythling; sold Christie's, London, 19 July 1962, lot 89.
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. Specified lots (sold and unsold) marked with a filled square not collected from Christie’s by 5.00 pm on the day of the sale will, at our option, be removed to Cadogan Tate. Christie’s will inform you if the lot has been sent offsite. Our removal and storage of the lot is subject to the terms and conditions of storage which can be found at Christies.com/storage. Please call Christie’s Client Service 24 hours in advance to book a collection time at Cadogan Tate Ltd. All collections will be by pre-booked appointment only. Tel: +44 (0)20 7839 9060 Email: cscollectionsuk@christies.com. If the lot remains at Christie’s it will be available for collection on any working day 9.00 am to 5.00 pm. Lots are not available for collection at weekends.

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Alexandra Cruden
Alexandra Cruden

Lot Essay

Splendid ebony cabinets such as this example, elaborately conceived to display costly pietra dura panels depicting birds, flowers and florentine landscapes, were mainly produced in Florence but favoured by a growing population of wealthy patrons and princely rulers across Europe in the 17th century, and particularly in Germany. The precious trompe l'oeil mosaics of marbles and hardstones epitomise the princely magnificence of the Opificio delle pietre dure founded in 1588 by Grand Duke Ferdinand I de Medici, while their never-fading flowers evoke the Arcadian concept of perpetual spring or 'Ver perpetuum'.

In Germany, pietra dura panels were acquired either directly from Florence by agents such as Hainhofer or traded at luxury fairs in centers such as Frankfurt or Leipzig and would often then be incorporated into tables or cabinets made by German craftsmen. Augsburg, with its famous tradition of skilled craftsmen in precious metals and sculpture, became a particular center for this production, and the princely rulers of Bavaria had a pronounced predilection for pietre dure.

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