C18th Italian alabaster portrait book

Reference No. : 0716

£650

The detailed carving in side profile of the poet Torquato Tasso, known for his 1591 poem Gerusalemme liberate, in which he depicts a highly imaginative version of the combats between Christians and Muslims at the end of the first crusade, during the Siege of Jerusalem of 1099.
The carved book is designed completely in alabaster and has inlay bell style shapes hanging from each corner. The edges show the book binding detail with the pages of the book in recess from the cover edge.
The portrait is appliqués on top of the alabaster oval with the name of the subject inscribed faintly below.
The surround shows it’s translucency when held up to the light.
The size is important. It is to be held in your hand, picked up and touched (in my opinion). It’s tactile quality makes it a very special piece

Height 5 inches (12.7 cms)
Width 3.5 inches (8.9 cms)
Depth 1 inches (2.5 cms)