ATTRIBUTED TO GEORG SCHREIBER (ACTIVE 1614-1643),KÖNIGSBERG, CIRCA 1620-30, | Casket

By repute in the Duke of Aumale collection ; then in the Duke of Nemours collection, Château d'Eu; Ader, Picard, Tajan sale, Paris, 24 June 1985, lot 78, where acquired by the present owner.

In overall good condition with a few minor chips along the edges. A few hairline fissures are visible to elements. A more consistent fissure is visible to the underside of the casket. There is a small chip to Cupid's proper left knee and his proper left arm is missing. The amber may have been retouched at some places, notably at the lower corner of one foot ; remains of glue along a fissure to the lower right angle of the amber plaque in the back of the casket. The casket has its original brass hinges and lock. Exquisit engraving. The reliefs are highly precisely carved.
"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."

Since the Middle-Ages, Königsberg, centre of the Prussian court in the North-East of Germany, and Gdansk (or Danzig) in the North of current Poland, became the leading Eastern centres for the export of amber from the Baltic. These productions of precious amber works of art are recognizable by the subtle combination of different colors and the intelligent use of its transparency. The reliefs adorning this casket are carved in light amber set beneath red amber engraved with scrollwork, birds and flowering foliage. Among the reliefs are Apollo, Juno, Diana, Neptune, Mercury and a portrait of a man dressed in the Renaissance style thought to be King François II (1544-1560). The handle of the lid, in a shape of Cupid resting on a skull, evokes the vanity of human being.
The present casket is comparable to a similar small casket signed by Georg Schreiber, circa 1610, in the Weimar Museum and to another one, circa 1620-1630, in the Altonaer Museum, Hamburg (inv. no. 1986/358).

RELATED LITERATURE
G. Laue, Bernstein. Kostbarkeiten europäischer Kunstkammern, Munchen, 2006, pp. 20-23, figs. 2 et 14. W. Seipe, Bernstein für Thron und Altar. Das Gold des Meeres in fürstlichen Kunst- und Schatzkammern, cat. exh. Kunsthistorisches Museum, Wien, 2005-2006, p. 24, fig. 1 et pp. 56-57, n° 27.