A RARE SMALL GOLD MOUNTED AGATE URN

A RARE SMALL GOLD MOUNTED AGATE URN

IN THE MANNER OF THE MISERONI FAMILY, THE AGATE POSSIBLY ANCIENT BUT CARVED IN THE 17TH CENTURY

the 'U' shaped body with reeded bands and carved with acanthus leaves, the cover carved with a petal collar and spiral twist band with a gold finial, the stem with a lobed collar on a spreading foot (detached) with a gold rim

6.4cm high

Provenance

Alfred de Rothschild (1842-1918) Bedroom no.12 in show cabinet, Halton House, Buckinghamshire

Lionel de Rothschild (1882-1942)

Edmund de Rothschild (1916-2009)

The Trustees of Exbury House

Literature

Rothschild Archive, London, Manuscript: 000/174/C/3, Christie, Manson & Woods Probate Valuation of 'The Estate of Alfred C. de Rothschild, Esq. C.V.O. Deceased, Halton House Tring'. 1918. Listed as 'A small vase and cover carved in striated onyx mounted with gold feet £5.0.0.'

Catalogue Note

The decoration and shape recalls the works in agate by the Miseroni Family the important jewellers and gemcutters from Milan. They specialised in carving rock crystal and hardstones and gained international recognition in the mid-16th century. Imperial patronage from the Hapsburgs prompted the re-establishment in 1588 of the workshop to Prague, where it flourshed until 1684. Girolamo and his brother Gasparo entered the service of Cosimo I de' Medici. Giulio worked in Spain from 1582 and Ottavio worked from 1588 in the court of Rudolf II in Prague and was succeeded by his son Dionysio who became Imperial Treasure Warden in the Prague Castle.

For a related agate urn attributed to Gasparo Miseroni, see the Museo del Prado, Tesoro del Delfin, inv. O000015.