Italian, Venice, circa 1500

With J. Kugel Antiquaires;

From whom acquired by the present collector.

Painted in a deep midnight blue, the present casket is enlivened by gilt decoration—stars, leaves, and repeating ornamental patterns—scattered across both its interior and exterior surfaces.

This casket, similarly to lots 12, 32 and 59, belongs to a distinct group of Venetian enamel works produced in the late fifteenth and early sixteenth centuries. For a further discussion on the production of Venetian enamelworks, see lot 12.

Similar caskets were formerly in the collection of Yves Saint Laurent (sold, Christie's Paris 25 - 23 February 2009) and the Princely House of Liechtenstein (sold , Christie's Amsterdam 1 April 2008). Another example is in the collection of the Musée du Louvre (accession number: R 251) and was formerly owned by Baron and Baroness Salomon de Rothschild.