Beschreibung:

An Italian engraved ivory, Indian rosewood and ebony writing box, attributed to Giovanni Battista De Curtis and Iacobo Fiamengo, Naples, circa 1600 the sloping top with an engraved scenes of the History of Joseph and grotesque ornamentation, with a side drawerHeight 15⅓in; width 18½in Please note that this lot contains elephant ivory the export of which outside the EU is now prohibited pursuant to European regulation 2021/2280 of 16 December 2021. Sotheby's will be able to provide the buyer with the intra-community certificate attached to this item.__________________________________________________________________________ Ecritoire en ivoire gravée, palissandre des Indes et ébène, attribuée à Giovanni Battista De Curtis et Iacobo Fiamengo, Naples, vers 1600 le plateau avec un décor gravé représentant l'histoire de Joseph et un décor de grotesque, avec un tiroir latéral Haut. 39 cm, larg. 47 cm Veuillez noter que ce lot contient de l’ivoire d’éléphant et que conformément au règlement européen 2021/2280 du 16 décembre 2021, l’exportation de biens contenant cette matière hors de l’UE est interdite. Sotheby’s sera en mesure de délivrer à l’acquéreur le certificat intracommunautaire concernant ce bien.Condition reportThe illustrations are accurate. Good overall condition despite the inevitable scratches and traces of wear due to age and use. All the inlays of ivory with shrinkage cracks. Very minor losses to the veneer, one on the center of the top of the tray. Slight detachments of the veneer at the back. Traces of yellow spots on the engraved ivory. The paper inside the box used. The key is missing.Saleroom NoticeVeuillez noter que pour ce qui concerne le transport hors Union Européennes de lots contenant de l'ivoire d'éléphant, Sotheby's ne pourra pas assister les acheteurs. Un acheteur ne pourra pas différer le paiement du prix de ces lot, ni demander une annulation de leur vente, au motif qu'il serait dans l'impossibilité de les exporter et/ou de les importer. Please note that Sotheby's will not be able to assist buyers with the shipment outside the European Union of any lots containing Elephant Ivory. A buyer's inability to export or import these lots cannot justify a delay in payment or a sale's cancellation. LiteratureGiuseppe Beretti, Con l'ebano e l'avorio: Giobvanni Battista De Curtis, Iacopo Fiamengo e lo stipo manierista napoletano, Milan, 2020, pp.46-50 (for similar pieces)__________________________________________________________________ Giuseppe Beretti, Con l'ebano e l'avorio : Giobvanni Battista De Curtis, Iacopo Fiamengo e lo stipo manierista napoletano, Milan, 2020, pp.46-50 (pour des pièces similaires)Catalogue noteThis exquisite writing box is a rare example of the Neapolitan production made around 1600, in a characteristic combination of finely engraved ivory inlaid within ebony veneers. This scrittoio di tavolo can be attributed to the expert Neapolitan cabinet-maker Giovanni Battista De Curtis, who worked closely with the specialist ivory engraver Iacobo Fiamengo (active 1594-1602). This type of object developed in the 15th century and reached its apogee in the late 16th, as a practical object to contain all necessary writing elements. It would be placed on a table normally covered by a carpet or tapestry, and writing could be done in its top. This is decorated with a rectangular panel centred by a circular medallion engraved with a scene from the book of Genesis "Joseph being sold to the Ishmaelites by his brothers", surrounded by an egg and dart frame. Around it, it is decorated with silhouetted grotesque motifs framed by a band of strung round and elliptical beads, also engraved. The border has on each corner square panels with further engraved scenes of the story of Joseph inspired by coeval prints, such as the ones by Augustin Hirschvogel (1503 –1553). In between, further silhouetted grotesque motifs, such as satyrs and cartouches surround oval and circular engraved ivory panels with landscape and harb