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Ivory engraving with ink depicting The Holy Family with the Porridge Bowl, Early 17th century

Height x depth: 15.8 x 9.9 cm. Weight: 29.5 g
Antique and rare devotional engraving depicting the Holy Family, with the Virgin Mary, Saint Joseph, the Baby Jesus, and Saint John. The work features a meticulous engraving on elephant ivory (Elephas maximus Linnaeus, 1758 or Loxodonta africana Blumenbach, 1797), subsequently retouched with Indian ink to enhance the definition of the lines and the chiaroscuro effect. The scene depicts the Holy Family gathered around a domestic table, with the Baby Jesus in the centre, the Virgin Mary in a pensive pose, St Joseph behind her and St John, recognisable by the processional cross on the right. The theme, known as The Holy Family with the Porridge Bowl, belongs to an iconographic typology that highlights the everyday humanity of the Holy Family, emphasising the infant nutrition of Christ. The engraving shows tight, calibrated hatching, with clear references to late Mannerist graphics from Rome and Siena, while the choice of ivory as a support—extremely rare for works of this kind— gives the piece a precious character, probably intended for a cultured and private clientele, combining the charm of Mannerist graphics with the rarity of the medium.
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. 2025-229)
26/01/2026 21:45:33
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€ 10.000,00 / 15.000,00
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5.000,00 €
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Live auction 369

SILVER ANTIQUES, IVORIES, WUNDERKAMMER - Including selected Works of Art from the Count Luigi Rigi Luperti Collection

Palazzo Caetani Lovatelli, thu 19 February 2026
SINGLE SESSION 19/02/2026 Hours 15:00
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