150

A pair of ivory chalices, Europe, 19th century

Weight I: 88.3 g. Weight II: 100.3 g

Antique pair of turned and carved elephant ivory chalices (Elephas maximus Linnaeus, 1758 or Loxodonta africana Blumenbach, 1797).

Each piece rests on a circular base decorated with bas-relief, above which is attached a carved stem depicting a soldier in armour; the body is entirely engraved in bas-relief with heraldic motifs; one specimen features a crowned coat of arms flanked by lions, while the other features a shield surmounted by a small crown with an eagle and surrounded by leafy scrolls.

The heraldic rendering and the type of artefact suggest a European production from the 19th century, a period in which ivory was widely used for cups, glasses and parade objects with heraldic elements and figures of warriors. These are therefore works of neo-Renaissance or historicist taste, much appreciated in the 19th century in courts and aristocratic collections.

Height x diameter I: 18.4 x 4.4 cm

Height x diameter II: 17.9 x 4.3 cm

This lot, accompanied by a CITES certificate and expertise issued by Ce.S.Ar Centro studi archeometici, is only available for sale with shipments within the European Union. (expertise Ce.S.Ar. 2025-217)

Provenance:
Count Luigi Rigi Luperti collection.