A MOTHER-OF-PEARL BLACK SLATE INLAID TABLE TOP, GERMAN, LATE 17TH CENTURY, ATTRIBUTED TO FRANZ DE HAMILTON |

with flowers and insects decoration, on an associated limestone base forming coffee table; (restorations)

Frémontier Gallery, Paris

The illustration of the catalogue is accurate. The top has been broken and restored. There are some surface scratches to the black slate. There are minor losses to the mother of pearl inlaid elements (a wing of one fly and two leaves). There are some stains and chips to the stone base, with traces of lichen.
"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."

This technique of depicting still lifes in engraved mother-of-pearl on a slate ground would seem to have been employed widely by the Dutch, following on from their own depictions of still lifes in paintings. Mother-of-pearl shells were imported into Amsterdam in large quantities and working them became a specialty of the city. Identified Dutch artists employing this technique on plaques include Jan Visscher (1633-after 1692) and Adriaen Brouwer (1605/1606-1638). However, mother-of-pearl plaques were also made by Germans, Jeremias Hercules (d. 1689), Dirck van Rijswijck (1596-1679) and Franz de Hamilton (active second half 17th century-early 18th century). The present lot is an exciting new addition to the mother-of-pearl oeuvre of De Hamilton. He not only worked with mother-of-pearl but was also a painter of still lifes and animal subjects. He was the author of a portrait of Leopold I (1640-1705), Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, and his third wife Elenore Magdalena (1655-1720) and also executed several still lives composed of mother-of-pearl on slate. One of his inlaid flower compositions with his initials F.D.H. is part of the wall decoration in the 'Florentine Room' at Schloss Favorite near Rastatt, the summer residence of Sybilla Augusta von Sachsen-Lauenberg (1675-1733), margravine of Baden Baden. Three other plaques are very similar to ours and are signed: the first one in the Diozesanmuseum St. Afra, Augsburg, the second one sold by Sotheby's London, 19 January 2016, lot 193 and the third one was recently on the art market.