Price guide to antique Italian hardstone boxes and caskets. Hardstone mosaics were a speciality of Italian workshops, especially those of Rome and Florence. Birds were a favourite motif in Florence. The technique emerged in Florence, where Ferdinand de’ Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany, founded the Grand Ducal Workshop (Opificio delle Pietre Dure).
An Italian specimen hardstone table casket, late 19th/early 20th century
Of rectangular form, with gilt brass frame, on ball feet, 14cm wide.
Sold for £ 750 inc. premium at Bonhams in 2011
AN ITALIAN GILT-BRONZE AND HARDSTONE-MOUNTED TORTOISESHELL, EBONY, AND EBONISED CASKET
FLORENCE, LATE 17TH / EARLY 18TH CENTURY, SOME MOUNTS LATER
The hinged lid with a further smaller hinged compartment, the interior lined with later red damask, the gilt-bronze and hardstones repositioned and with some replacements and restorations
15 in. (38 cm.) high; 22 in. (56 cm.) wide; 20 ½ in. (52 cm.) deep.
Sold for GBP 16,250 at Christie’s in
Italian Gilt-Bronze Mounted Pietra Dura Jewelry Casket
Retailed by Marchesini, Florence and Rome, circa 1920
Of shaped rectangular form with a hinged cover, decorated on the top and sides with hovering birds, blossoms and musical symbols, various colors against a black ground, on bamboo-form legs, silk lined interior. Height 4 1/2 inches, width 7 3/4 inches, depth 4 inches.
The inlay on the cover is lifting away from the surface on three of the green lif tips, however, the inlay is all intact; one of the small triangular hardstone panels on the front upper right facing corner has been previously cracked and repaired; gilding on the mounts is worn, consistent with age and usage; the fabric lined interior is quite worn and shredding; key is missing
Sold for $750 (includes buyer’s premium) at Doyle New York in 2011
AN ITALIAN BLUE HARDSTONE, GOLD AND RUBY TABLE BOX
Maker unknown, Italy, circa 1950
Marks: M, 18kt, ITALY
6-3/4 inches long (17.1 cm)
33.8 ounces (gross)
The rectangular box of blue hardstone with applied 18 karat gold lion’s head to hinged lid with inset ruby eyes, supported by four gold claw feet, cream marble to the interior.
Sold For: $7,500 at Heritage Auctions in 2012
An Italian gold, micromosaic and hardstone snuff box, circa 1800
circular, the cover with fine mosaic of a rabbit eating lettuce, within gold border, mottled green marble body
apparently unmarked
diameter 2 3/4 in.
7 cm.
Sold for 25,000 USD at Sotheby’s in 2015
Italian micromosaic and hardstone plaque of the Doves of Pliny by Cesare Roccheggiani. c.1860. Set in an oval-shaped gilt box with grapevine enameling to side and raised on four ball feet. Labeled ”C. Roccheggiani / Roma” on inside lining of lid. 1 3/4”h x 3 7/8”l.
Sold For$160 at
Quinn’s Auction Galleries in 2007
