23rd Mar, 2019 10:00 GMT/BST

Spring Fine Art Sale (Part II)

 
Lot 586
 

586

A Turned Ivory Pedestal Cup and Cover, South Germany, 2nd half 17th century, of lobed ovoid form on

A Turned Ivory Pedestal Cup and Cover, South Germany, 2nd half 17th century, of lobed ovoid form on a similar stem, the cover and foot with central dome flanked by eight hemispherical lobes, 39cm high See illustration

Provenance: A gift to the vendor's father from his uncle, and thence by descent

The lathe had been used since ancient times for producing simple turned, decorative pieces and sections for furniture and other items. However, innovations to lathe technology in the 16th century allow much more sculptural forms to be produced, often impossible to replicate by hand. Examples produced in ivory were particularly prized and courts throughout Central Europe installed lathes and employed master turners to instruct princes and aristocrats in their use. A lathe made for Emperor Maximillian I between 1500 and 1518 is the earliest recorded example of princely turning, whilst Augustus the Strong employed Georg Wecker in Dresden, and Rudolf the First was instructed by members of the Zink Family.

The present example, with its distinctive hemispheres on the cover and foot, would seem to be unusual. A similar example with its original puzzle ball finial is in the V&A, accession no.A41-1949 and is illustrated in Trusted (Marjorie) Baroque and Later Ivories, pg.65, item 44, and two further examples are recorded as being sold by Christie's

Sold for £32,000
Estimated at £5,000 - £10,000


 

Finial missing. Section of rim of cup, approximately 7cm by 3cm broken out and into two pieces and restuck. Some age-related splitting throughout, particularly to stem and the domes and hemispheres on the cover and foot. Some staining throughout and some surface scratching and minor flakes. 210219

 


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Auction: Spring Fine Art Sale (Part II), 23rd Mar, 2019

Spring Fine Art Sale (Part II)

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