An Unusual Carved Boxwood ‘Sphere’

Epoque: Late 17th or early 18th century

Medium: Boxwood

Dimension: 8 cm (3¹/₈ inches)

Provenance: Ex London Art Market early 1970s
Ex Private collection

Literature: Unusual and possibly ‘unique’, the sphere is finely carved in low relief displaying various coats of arms. It has been suggested that the ‘sphere’ may have been a ‘template’ for an elaborate silversmith’s construction of a ‘kunstkammer’ centre-piece, the ball acting as a support. Or maybe simply a carved ‘apprentice’ piece displaying their own abilities at carving boxwood, a preferred choice of material in the 17th and 18th century Dutch carving tradition.