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Lot 1612 ♣ - S20 An important private collection of antique cutlery - Thursday, 21. March 2024, 10.00 AM

SERVING KNIFE WITH SPHINX ATTACHMENT

Italian, 16th century.
Flat edged ivory handle, the handle end with a sculptured sphinx with a female bust. The blade bolster engraved with leaf decoration and gilt. Engraved, parcel-gilt steel spatula blade with decorative tip.
L 33.3 cm.
For the exportation of this item a CITES license is required. Prospective buyers should familiarize themselves with relevant customs regulations prior to bidding if they intend to import this lot into another country. For further information please contact the department.


Stress cracks on the hind leg of the sphinx. Tail missing. Blade with traces of corrosion.

The handle of a knife from the Louvre collections can be compared with that of the knife on offer. It shows the same structure of a massive rectangular ivory handle. The knife in the Louvre features a dragon, carved all round, devouring a child (inv. no. OA 170). An Italian gravoir from the 14th century (?) from the Berlin Museum of Decorative Arts features a similar ivory figure of a male bust (inv. no. 1889,284).

The item on offer comes with a trade license for the EU. Due to the use of protected materials, this object may not leave the EU.

Stress cracks on the hind leg of the sphinx. Tail missing. Blade with traces of corrosion.The handle of a knife from the Louvre collections can be compared with that of the knife on offer. It shows the same structure of a massive rectangular ivory handle. The knife in the Louvre features a dragon, carved all round, devouring a child (inv. no. OA 170). An Italian gravoir from the 14th century (?) from the Berlin Museum of Decorative Arts features a similar ivory figure of a male bust (inv. no. 1889,284).The item on offer comes with a trade license for the EU. Due to the use of protected materials, this object may not leave the EU.

CHF 6 000 / 10 000 | (€ 6 190 / 10 310)

Sold for CHF 8 700 (including buyer’s premium)
All information is subject to change.