Italian, Ferrara, circa 1530

with a label on the inside inscribed: S.R. PLVRM-M.

Overall the condition of the casket is good with wear and dirt to the surface consistent with age with particular dust to the lid. There are several small losses to the pastiglia, including a section to the raised floral band, upper right corner and edge of the lid, the upper edge of the front and back panels and the right rear corner, and the lower right corner at the front, revealing a red ground. The losses to the front include some of the gilding. There is some stable craquelure to the pastiglia elsewhere, including to the lid and the bands of rope decoration. There is rubbing to the pastiglia on the legs. The silk on the inside is discoloured throughout. The silk has ripped in the corners and there are two moisture stains.
"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."

Whereas most pastiglia caskets seem to represent mythological scenes and classical motifs this wonderfully preserved casket shows a symmetrically arranged array of flowers, dolphins and masks. Equally unusual is the incorporation of tiny glass pastes to denote eyes and to enliven the flowers and the triangular decoration on the feet. Only two further examples of this type of pastiglia casket seem to survive: one in the Philadelphia Museum of Art (inv. no. 1945-25-173) and a second in the Palazzo Davanzati, Florence. The crushed glass with which the legs have been decorated can also be found covering the entire background of a pastiglia casket in the Victoria and Albert Museum (W.20-1953). These four casket must stem from the same workshop.

RELATED LITERATURE
J.W. Pommeranz, Pastigliakästchen. Ein Beitrag zur Kunst- und Kulturgeschichte der italienischen Renaissance, Münster/ New York, 1995, p. 180, no. 207, fig. 99