Lot 145
- 145
A CARVED IVORY BORDER FRAGMENT, PROBABLY SRI LANKA, 16TH CENTURY |
Estimate
3,000 - 4,000 GBP
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Description
- 5.4 by 30 by 0.6cm.
carved and pierced ivory with three couples of entwined swans with ornate plummage, traces of red pigment
Provenance
Ex-collection Mark Zebrowski (1945-99).
Condition
One break - to right hand side, between birds, and associated consolidation, some discoloration to ivory due to age and use as well as dirt encrustation within interstices, bird on far left-hand side with a broken leg and break to part of plummage, reverse with a band of red pigments, splashes of silver paint, scratches, remnants of two drill holes on each extremity, as viewed.
"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."
"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."
Catalogue Note
The original function of this plaque would have been ornamental, set most probably on a piece of furniture as inferred by the openwork style of carving and remnants of drill holes. The motif of paired birds with entwined necks features on a number of carved ivory works from sixteenth century Sri Lanka, notably in the Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna (inv. no.Nr. KK 4745, see Gschwend and Beltz 2010, pp.72-3, no.19). Similar entwined birds (referred to by Pedro Carvalho as 'geese') with ornate tails also feature on the front of a magnificent gem-set casket in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (inv. no.1993.29), attributed to Sri Lanka, probably Kotte, circa 1550 (Carvalho 2008, pp.24-5, no.1).