The carved agate rectangular box surmounted with two carved coral fish, exhaling seed pearl bubbles, each with ruby cabochon eyes, signed A Ravasco, measuring approximately 170 x 110 x 75mm (including fish), inscribed to hinges "6 Febbraio 1939", Italian assay and maker's marks to hinges.

Exhibited at the Villa Necchi Campiglio, Milan, October 2015.

Cf: Sotheby's London 22nd July 2008, Lot 398 for an example of a similar agate cigarette box by Alfredo Ravasco, mounted with three coral fish.

Signed A. Ravasco. Inscribed to hinges "6 Febbraio 1939". Italian assay mark and maker's mark. Seed pearls in good condition, cream body colour, medium lustre. Rubies purplish red, typical inclusions visible under magnification, abrasions consistent with wear. Coral of light orangey pink to darker pink, chips along the upper fin and lower fins of the larger fish. One sympathetically restored chip to tip of the lower fin on the larger fish. abrasions and minor chips consistent with wear to both fish. Both fish slightly loose. Secure hinge to box. Addition seeds pearls come with the box. A couple of natural surface reaching fissures to reverse of box. Please ask the department for further images.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Please note that colour, clarity and weight of gemstones are statements of opinion only and not statements of fact by Sotheby's. We do not guarantee, and are not responsible for any certificate from a gemological laboratory that may accompany the property. We do not guarantee that watches are in working order. 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 refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue, in particular to the Notice regarding the treatment and condition of gemstones.
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."

Alfredo Ravasco reached the height of success in the 1920s and became one of the main representatives of the Modernist movement without ignoring the more traditional concepts of jewellery design. A connoisseur of 1920's Parisian fashions, Ravasco created jewellery that was unique and stylish often with geometric patterns, using bright, sometimes contrasting colours as a background to diamonds and gems.

Ravasco was meticulous in his art, paying the utmost atten🌃tion to even the smallest detail. His favourite subjects were fish, flowers, fruit and leaves.