A detailed Sorrento Ware Box, 4 3/4″ x 9 3/4″ x 5 1/4″, depicting The Flight Into Egypt. A common and important theme in biblical art The Flight Into Egypt here depicts the dominant event of Joseph leading Mary & Jesus away from Bethlehem on a donkey in hopes of avoiding King Herod’s Massacre of the Innocents.
The central illustration is bracketed by unique floral sprigs and done entirely in detailed marquetry, it is enclosed in a mosaic border of a finely tessellated geometric motif.
The box itself is constructed to mimic a stack of books with a hollow book form lid and base enclosing a frontal frieze of an eleven volume set of faux books numbered and detailed with black ink. The spine on the book lid is labelled Souvenir indicating it was intended as a keepsake, and keep “safe”, for early tourists.
The interior is lined with a soft red cloth. At some point a chain catch has been added to keep the lid from pulling back and the hinges from breaking. There has been some general restoration in various spots to the body – this accomplished many years ago by a previous owner with skill and care, and a fairly common occurrence with this style box.
As is typical of Sorrento Ware, this displays excellent craftsmanship and attention to detail. The key works and when locked the box is secured.
