Writing Box In Cartapesta - Italy - Eighteenth Century

This charming 18th century Italian writing box is made of cartapesta (paper mache) and decorated with arte povera. Private object for very intimate use, the arms of its owner are affixed to the lid. The shape of the coat of arms, chamfer or "horse's head" (testa di cavallo) is typically Italian. The party shield, composed on the one hand of three birds and on the other of a sun, is surmounted by a crown of a marquis, surrounded by two supports, on the dexter and on the sinister, with the figure of lions. The whole is included in a frame with rococo ornaments, comprising a shell, an atlantean on each side and finally a mascaron. The entire box is decorated with floral motifs, especially in the form of garlands. Once opened, the box is divided into four compartments, one of which is intended to receive an inkwell. The inside of the cover is decorated with a very elegant hunting scene. Consisting of three characters, one of them on horseback, in a bucolic setting, the nobles are represented hunting, accompanied by a dog.