Octagonal Box Frame, Ebonized And Embellished With Bronze And Semi-precious Stone Inlays

OCTAGONAL COFFERED FRAME IN EBONY, ENRICHED WITH BRONZE AND SEMI-PRECIOUS STONE INLAYS: a hallmark of Florentine and Roman Baroque that served as a true link between the two cities—the ebony and semi-precious stone frame. As is well known, the craftsmanship of semi-precious stones was a hallmark of excellence in both cities’ workshops and reached sublime heights in the decoration of tabletops, cabinets, caskets, and even frames. Regarding the latter, the material used was strictly ebony (or ebonized wood), with so-called “box-shaped” frames embellished with semi-precious stones such as lapis lazuli on the corners, and often combined with yellow or red Egyptian jasper, amethyst, agate, in compositions whose geometric pattern could be more or less emphasized (for example, with silver fillets), but which generally featured rectangular, spindle-shaped, and lozenge motifs. Another material used for this type of work was gilded bronze, generally applied in leaf motifs, or even in the form of cherubs, which adorned the frame’s back panel, marked the space near the corners, and created movement with sinuous lines along the outer edges. It was, therefore, a type of object that involved cabinetmakers, stonemasons, and bronze casters alike. Inside is a reliquary made of silver filigree