An Italian relief pietra dura- and gilt bronze-mounted ebony jewel casket will lead Bonhams' Fine European Furniture and Decorative Arts sale in San Francisco on October 28 with an $80,000-120,000 estimate.
 Jewel caskets would often be presented as diplomatic gifts |
The previously unrecorded box dates to the early 18th century and originates from the Grand Ducal Workshops of Florence, which were owned by the House of Medici. It features elaborately-designed panels made up of coloured and polished stone.
Giovanni Battista Foggini (1652-1755) was the director of the Medici workshops at the time, and was an enthusiastic proponent of the pietra dura technique.
French furniture will also feature, including a selection from the collection of fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld.
One highlight will undoubtedly be a carved Louis XVI giltwood console d'applique by Georges Jacob, which carries an estimate of $40,000-60,000.
 The Georges Jacob table dates to the late 18th century |
Jacob (1739-1813) is considered one of the finest furniture makers of his era, who worked on commissions for Marie Antoinette and other members of the French royal court.
A set of eight directoire chairs from the same collection will be offered as a single lot with a $50,000-80,000 estimate. Dating to the late 18th century, they feature satyr shaped legs that end in cloven hooves.
A pair of Louis XIV-style gilt bronze- and boulle marquetry-mounted ebonised encoignures aux quatre saisons are valued at $50,000-80,000.
The corner cabinets, produced in the style of Andre Charles Boulle, feature depictions of the four seasons in black and gold.
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