ALLEMAGNE, XVIIE SIÈCLE
Coupe couverte en ivoire d'éléphant tourné et sculpté
reposant sur une base évasée ; restaurations et fissures
H. 10 cm (4 in.)

Collection particulière, sud-ouest de la France.

A TURNED AND CARVED ELEPHANT IVORY COVERED CUP, GERMAN, 17TH CENTURY

Ivory carving has, since time immemorial, been a fundamental means of artistic expression. The craft developed during Antiquity, the Byzantine era and the European Middle Ages, to reach its climax at the beginning of the 17^th century, a period during which a large number of talented sculptors worked at European courts. These artists produced magnificent pieces highlighting the natural qualities of the material. These works took the shape of cups, towers and turned figures, and were created for the princely Kunstkammern that emerged in the middle of the 16^th century. The main principle behind these collections was the concept that the universe – a macrocosm – would be represented in the form of a collection – a microcosm. Thus, the universe would be represented by the naturalia created by God, this includes all zoological, botanical and geological material – and by the artificialia created by man.

Please note this lot contains elephant ivory. With its intra-community certificate obtained ahead of this sale, it can be exported within the European Union. It can only be exported outside of the European Union if the buyer is a museum, subject to specific provision set out under EU Regulation 2021/C 528/03.