A gold, tortoiseshell and mother of pearl piqué scent bottle casket

Naples, mid 18th century, later French import marks



of sinuously undulating rectangular form, decorated in engraved mother of pearl and gold piqué posé, point et clouté, the lid with ruins and exotic flowering plants within rocaille scrolls, flowers and leafy tendrils, gold mounts and shaped thumbpiece, the interior complete with gold-capped faceted glass scent bottles and wave-edged funnel

The case is generally impressive and lively despite some condition problems. There is restoration and damage. There are repaired cracks in the tortoiseshell, particularly to the lid and left side. The edge of the base has been discreetly restored and there is a small portion of tortoiseshell missing on bottom right corner. There have been losses to the piqué overall, and some portions of the mother of pearl piqué, particularly on the lid, have been re-glued and are thus raised above the surface. There are very minor dents to gold mounts, but generally, the interior is in excellent condition. The gold mounts to the scent bottles and funnel have 19th century French control marks, and one can presume that the velvet lining was replaced at that date. A very similar Neapolitan piqué casket also containing scent bottles is on view in the Silver Gallery at the Victoria and Albert Museum.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Piqué work is said to have been invented in Naples towards the end of the 16^th century and was then developed by a certain Laurentini, a Neapolitan jeweller, in the mid 17^th century. Be that as it may, gold and silver piqué work of varying complexity is to be found soon after in many European centres. It would appear, however, that such refined piqué work including inlaid mother of pearl, as in this example, was indeed a Neapolitan speciality. The shell was softened by heating it in boiling water with olive oil and then impressing the engraved mother of pearl segments and the metal either in hairlike strips (coulé) or dots (point) or larger sections (posé). Although the names of some eminent Neapolitan practitioners of the art are known from signatures, such as Sarao and de Laurentiis, very little is known about the trade in general. It was certainly patronised by the royal family and it is presumed that the artists based their designs, often featuring ruins, on Augsburg prints supplied through the auspices, or at least influence, of  Maria Amalia of Saxony, wife of Carlo III.