ATTRIBUTED TO OSIAS BEERT AND STUDIOANTWERP CIRCA 1580 - 1623 | Still life with oysters and olives on tin plates, together with a silver spice box, a nautilus cup and a Wan-li bowl with sugared cookies

The actual painting shows more contrast than the catalogue illustration would suggest (less yellow). The oak panel is beveled on all sides and consist of two planks joined horizontally; the join is reinforced on the reverse with 6 batons. An area of minor damage (shaved off?) can be seen on the reverse upper right. Otherwise the panel is nice, stable and flat. Some old paint losses can be seen along the edges due to the framing. The painted surface seems to be in a good condition. The painted surface is covered with a very fine and dense craquelure pattern. The dark background in the upper part of the painting shows another pattern of craquelure: a bit coarser and more confined to the dark background solely. The colors in most of the fruits and objects seems to be nicely preserved. Some minor retouchings are visible in the dark area of the composition, e.g. around the bowl of olives. The painted surface is covered with an old dirty and discolored varnish layer. It would greatly benefit from cleaning. Under the UV light The varnish layer fluoresces almost completely, showing some restored tiny indents upper left and some minor ones to the left of the silver salt cellar. Offered with a black Flemish old-style frame with a gold fillet, with some chips and damages.
"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."