Notable Sales

  • Mother of pearl and Gold Necessaire, Germany, mid-18th Century Mother of pearl and Gold Necessaire, Germany, mid-18th Century Mother of pearl and Gold Necessaire, Germany, mid-18th Century Mother of pearl and Gold Necessaire, Germany, mid-18th Century

    Mother of pearl and Gold Necessaire

    Germany, mid-18th Century
    Cavagnis Lacerenza is proud to announce the acquisition of our 18th Century German Mother-Pearl Necessaire by the Kunstsammlungen & Museen Augsburg.
    Only six similar examples are known in the world, two of which are part of leading public collections: the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Cleveland Museum. 
     
    This precious mother-pearl casket has a classic rectangular form, with each side generously engraved and decorated, and rests on four elegant curled feet. Once opened, a precious set of gold sewing tools is revealed along with a fitted engraved tray.
    The Rococo motifs of the applied gold ornamentations are inspired by the work of the famous designer François Cuvilliés (1695-1768), whose ornamental repertoires circulated throughout Europe, greatly influencing the decorative arts in France, England, Italy and Germany. The lavish materials, the quality of the workmanship, and the intricately detailed gold decorations, clearly indicate that this Necessaire was conceived as a luxurious gift, well suited for royalty. It is an embodiment of the spirit of the rococo movement from the 18th Century.
     
    Cavagnis Lacerenza presented this exceptional artwork in June 2022 at BRAFA Art Fair, where it captured the attention of the patrons of the art and institutions. The gallery is honoured to have been part of the history of this unique work of art and it is delighted that it will now be included in a prestigious public collection.