Null AN UNMARKED IRAQI SILVER AND NIELLO DISH Possibly Basra, Iraq, ca. 1940s - …

Description

AN UNMARKED IRAQI SILVER AND NIELLO DISH Possibly Basra, Iraq, ca. 1940s - 1950s Of typical circular shape, resting on a flat base with raised vertical rim, the silver interior decorated with a central niello-inlaid composition showcasing two palm trees in the front, and in the background a mosque and two typical Iraqi boats, a gufa (or kuphar) and a dhow sailing boat, unmarked, 21.5cm diam., 249gr.

248

AN UNMARKED IRAQI SILVER AND NIELLO DISH Possibly Basra, Iraq, ca. 1940s - 1950s Of typical circular shape, resting on a flat base with raised vertical rim, the silver interior decorated with a central niello-inlaid composition showcasing two palm trees in the front, and in the background a mosque and two typical Iraqi boats, a gufa (or kuphar) and a dhow sailing boat, unmarked, 21.5cm diam., 249gr.

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Estim. 700 - 900 GBP

Chased, gilded and nielloed silver cross with flared arms. Edges outlined with a guilloche frieze, small X-shaped cross in the center, repetitive characters on the arms. Constantinople ? 6th/17th century 3.5 x 3.5 cm (oxidation and slight damage) The typology of this cross with splayed arms is reminiscent of the 5th / 8th century, while the silver niello technique is reminiscent of Constantinople goldsmiths of the early 7th century. The same small cross with bifid ends can be found at the center of some silver dishes in the Byzantine and Christian Museum in Athens (inv. BXM 893 and 896, fig.).

Estim. 7 000 - 10 000 GBP

Rare bridal sash in pink-brown silk lampworked with gold thread and elements in nielloed silver, chased silver and gilt. Inscriptions woven on the ribbon: SOLAFIDES (fidelity alone) separated by rosettes and entwined hands, mani in fede (literally hands in trust); twelve eyelets (not pierced) in the form of leaning fleurons have been preserved; each end terminates in a scudiccinolo, buckle plate and pendant ; these scudiccinoli are divided into three compartments, decorated with two putto heads framing a flaming, bleeding heart for one, and double-sided for the other, showing the vertical, inverted profiles of a couple separated by a shield bearing the arms of....with a cross at the foot of ... under a floral crown; each scudiccinolo is chased with various motifs, putto, accosted foliage, colonnettes, floral capituli, fleurons and small rosettes; hallmark on the reverse of the plate; chain attached to the pendant ring. Northern Italy, second half of the 15th century Total length 173.3 cm - plate-loop length 11.2 cm - pendant length 11.4 cm Total weight: 144 g (ribbon wear and restoration) Few complete belts have survived, given the fragility of silk ribbons. Among these are a Milanese belt in the Museo Poldi Pezzoli in Milan (fig. a), another in the British Museum (inv. AF.2851), but displayed in several detached pieces, another given as 14th-century Sienese in the Cleveland Museum (fig.b) and a Venetian belt of the same period in the Metropolitan Museum of Art (inv.17.190.963, fig. b). Although niello is rarely found on gold-plated items, the Louvre Museum holds a buckle with a bust in profile, Italy circa 1500 (inv.0A 11114, fig. c), and two scudiccinoli of the same workmanship as the belt shown here have come to the Dutch art market in recent years, made in a workshop very close to northern Italy (fig. d). The flaming heart represents the ardent love between the bride and groom, with the drops of blood expressing an even higher degree of love. It can be interpreted as both a profane and sacred symbol. This polysemy is accentuated by the repeated inscription SOLAFIDES, which can signify the trust placed in the other as part of marriage, but also the importance and uniqueness of Faith in God. The embracing hands embody the firmness of the love uniting the two spouses. The coats of arms are identical on each side of the pendant, although they could be different and thus illustrate the two families united by this marriage, as is the case on the belt in the British Museum. As they could not be identified in the various armorials of the Italian nobility, it is possible that these coats of arms are more decorative than symbolic, and cannot be linked to a specific family. The Gonzaga family, head of the Marquisate of Mantua, has the motto FIDES, but it is impossible to deduce a link with the belt. Many Lombard cities (including Mantua) have the coat of arms Argent with a cross Gules. Works consulted : - A. Masetti, "Una cintura nuziale con smalti" in Annali della Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa. Classe di Lettere e Filosofia, 1988, Serie III, Vol. 18, No. 1, p. 231-259 - R. W. Lightbown, Mediaeval European Jewellery, Victoria and Albert Museum, 1992, pp. 319-341 - J. Hall, Dictionnaire des mythes et des symboles, Paris, 1994, p. 110-111 - Milan 2011/2012 exhibition, Oro dai Visconti agli Sforza. Smalti e oreficeria nel Ducato di Milano, Museo Diocesano, cat. p. 188-191

Estim. 400 - 600 GBP

A mixed lot of silver items, comprising: a Victorian silver christening mug by Thomas Smily, London 1869, a collapsible beaker, two cream jugs, a pair of pepper pots, two bowls, a pierced raised bowl, a cigarette case, a pin dish, a set of six silver and niello teaspoons, a silver-mounted mirror, a silver-mounted picture frame, a napkin ring and other similar items, total approx. weighable 35.8oz. (qty)

Estim. 150 - 200 GBP

A 19th century Russian silver and niello snuff box, possibly assay master Andrey Kovalskiy, Moscow 1847, rectangular form, the hinged cover engraved with a town centre scene with the base having another view of the town centre, plus a continental silver snuff box, maker's mark OV, rectangular form with reeded decoration, length 8.6cm, total approx. weight 4.5oz. (2)

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