The circular agate carved as a basin, decorated to the edge with a silver pelican and natural pearls, signed A.Ravasco.

Alfredo Ravasco was born in Geneva in 1873.  He undertook an apprenticeship with his father, Giacomo Ravasco, and attended the courses held at the Brera Academy School in Milan.  He also spent time at the Milanese goldsmith, Eugenio Bellosio's workshop.  He reached the height of success in the 1920s and became one of the main representatives of the Modernist movement without ignoring more traditional concepts of jewellery design. A connoisseur of 1920's Paris fashions, Ravasco created jewellery that was unique and stylish, often with geometric patterns, using bright, sometimes contrasting colours as a background to diamonds and coloured stones. Ravasco was meticulous in his art, paying the utmost attention to even the smallest detail in his favourite subjects: fish, flowers, fruit, leaves.  His exceptional inventive ability with precious objects was also put to work in the Monstrance for the Catholic University's Chapel and in the small crown and buckle of the cope belonging to His Holiness Pope Pius XI. His clients were Popes, Kings, Queens, the aristocracy of the day and the wealthy, they could see him at the world's main decorative arts and jewellery exhibitions: Milan 1919, Paris and Monza in 1925 and New York in 1939 and several Venice Biennales. Alfredo Ravasco died in 1958 with no next of kin and left his wealth and works to the Stelline Girls' Orphanage in Milan which sold the entire collection at a large public auction held at the Orphanage in 1961.

Agate bowl in good condition. With two hairline cracks to agate around foot on underside, one crack with small chip, both only visible with torch. Pelican with extensive areas of wear and loss to enamel and oxidization and tarnish to metal. Larger pearl with hairline crack near base, smaller pearl with peeling to nacre.
"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."

Accompained by CISGEM laboratory report no. 397, stating the pearls were found to be natural, saltwater.