154

Ivory plaque, Austro-Flemish area, 17th – 18th century

Height x width x depth: 22.5 x 27 x 5 cm. Height x width ivory: 11.5 x 7.5 cm. Total weight: 898.5 g

Antique plaque in elephant ivory (Elephas maximus Linnaeus, 1758 or Loxodonta africana Blumenbach, 1797), framed in ebonised wood and decorated with thin golden frames alternating with dark wood, creating an elegant contrast.

The carving depicts a reclining Venus in the foreground, with her private parts covered, resting her head on her arm in a gesture of repose. In the background, two figures emerge, one male and one female: the man gestures to the woman to be silent, in an enigmatic gesture.

The reclining Venus recalls the classical iconography of the goddess of love and beauty.

The man's gesture on the back, inviting silence, could allude to myths related to amorous secrets or clandestine encounters, but without other specific attributes, the precise identification remains open, suggesting an allegorical representation of love, seduction and discretion.

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. 2025-227)

Provenance:
Count Luigi Rigi Luperti collection.