Beschreibung:

AN ITALIAN GILT-BRONZE-MOUNTED PIETRA DURA, HARDSTONE AND EBONY CASKET ON ENAMEL-MOUNTED STAND
ATTRIBUTED TO THE GRAND DUCAL WORKSHOPS, FLORENCE, CIRCA 1710-20, THE STAND PROBABLY PARIS, CIRCA 1820-30
AN ITALIAN GILT-BRONZE-MOUNTED PIETRA DURA, HARDSTONE AND EBONY CASKET ON ENAMEL-MOUNTED STAND ATTRIBUTED TO THE GRAND DUCAL WORKSHOPS, FLORENCE, CIRCA 1710-20, THE STAND PROBABLY PARIS, CIRCA 1820-30 Of magnificent scale, the rectangular top centred by an oval reserve with a cluster of naturalistically modeled apples and other fruit carved in high relief with cast and repousée worked leaves, stems and surrounded by scalloped gilt bronze panels overlaid with amethyst grapes, quince, flowers and leafy tendrils within a lapis ground and flanked by shaped panels with floral sprays and ribbons in various marble and hardstones comprising brocatella di Spagna, lapis lazuli, diaspro di Sicilia, diaspro indio, diaspro di Corsica , and diaspro di Volterra , amethyst, chalcedony and other agates, within a Belgian black marble surround, the conforming case with lapis bordered and gilt-bronze-mounted ground, the front with a drawer and central panel of a bird above a suspended fruit garland headed with flowers, flanked by panels of ribbon-tied agates carved as cherries, the sides with shaped panels with agate butterflies over lush fruit clusters of cherries and pears flanking carrying handles, the reverse with three panels of ribbon-tied cherries and other fruit, the stand with cartouche panels of blue and green enameled panels set within scrolling foliate cartouches and raised on square tapering legs headed with pendant fruit clusters and joined by a pierced interlaced stretcher on toupie feet, the olivewood drawer formerly fitted and the casket formerly with feet, the underside of the casket with oval paper label printed 'M.255.' 44 in. (111.8 cm.) high, 26½ in. (67.5 cm.) wide, 19¼ in. (48.7 cm.) deep, overall The casket 11¼ in. (28.5 cm.) high, 25 1/8 in. (63.7 cm.) wide, 17½ in. (44.5 cm.) deep