17th Century Double Hourglass in Silver Filigree Frame.

 

17th Century Double Hourglass in Silver Filigree Frame.

In original Morocco Leather Case.

I have posted on the subject of filigree framed hourglasses previously in this blog see -

https://antiqueeuropeanfiligree.blogspot.com/2023/01/hourglass-with-filigree-framework.html

So far this is the first double hourglass that I have come across.

Given the edict of Louis XIV to have all filigree silver to be collected and melted down this is a very rare survivor.

Double court hourglass, silver filigree mounting with six balustered posts. 

In a red morocco case gilded with fleur-de-lys.

Circa 1630.

(Minor accidents).

Height : 12 cm - Width : 9 cm.

Depth: 4.5 cm.

Provenance: Jubinal de Saint Albin sale, 1877, n° 17.

They say once attributed to Venice, this type of hourglass appears most likely to be French, illustrated by the discharge mark on a model close to the Delalande collection.

The Fleur de Lys on the case also suggests French.

Comparative bibliography: An hourglass with the same mounting, but with a single vial, is reproduced in: Delalande, Sabliers d'autrefois, Paris, 2015, no. 12, pages 192 ff.

For sale Beaussant Lefèvre & Associés, Paris.  Lot 48, 23 June 2023.

https://www.beaussantlefevre.com/en/lot/138866/21867991-double-court-hourglass-silver