Il cThe Renaissance-style glove casket by Enea Stefani Silversmith represents a refined example of Bolognese silverwarein historicist taste, in which the function of the object is combined with rich decorative research. The work in fact takes up forms and motifs inspired by the Renaissance repertoire, reinterpreted through precious and careful workmanship.
The structure in chased silver stands out for the strong balance between ornament and architectural arrangement. The gilded parts, applied with restraint, enhance the reliefs and create a refined contrast with the blue enamel ground, which gives depth and luminosity to the whole. Moreover, the carnelians placed at the ends of the lid add a warm chromatic note, reinforcing the precious character of the work.
The decoration, composed mainly of scrolls, vegetal motifs and relief details, recalls the Renaissance taste for symmetry and ornamental richness. However, the composition remains orderly and legible, thanks to the regular division of the surfaces and the quality of the chasing.
The interior is also particularly refined, with the lid in vermeil and the body lined in ivory, an element that confirms the refined purpose of the object. The casket therefore presents itself as a creation of high craftsmanship, capable of combining precious materials, historical memory and executive quality, according to the finest Italian silversmithing tradition.
Description: In chased silver with gilded parts and carnelians on a blue enamel ground, interior part of the lid in vermeil and body in ivory, bearing hallmarks on the base, total gr. 2061, H cm 8x27x13.
Bibliography: “Enea Stefani – Autobiography. Sculptor Outside His Time, Sheltered in Silver, by Logic a Forced Forger”, Bologna, 1959, img. 33.
Provenance: Important Private Collection – Bologna.
Hammer Price: € 2.976,00
Auction 56 – 7 December 2022 – Dimore
All silverware by Enea Stefani presented at auction
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