A SILVER NEF

A SILVER NEF 20th Century Inlaid with Nautilus shell 36 cm high Medieval manuscript illuminations from as early as the 14th century show similar nefs acting as lavish and public status symbols on the dining table, often marking the place of the host or honoured guest. Nefs were particularly prized in France and Italy, where noble and royal inventories from dating back to the 13th century list copious silver and gold ships, but their appeal was more widespread, reaching Germany, Spain and the Low Countries. In a culture where gift-giving played a major role in domestic diplomacy, nefs would have satis-fied the contemporary passion for giving and receiving ingenious, finely crafted goldsmiths’ work.

Estimated price: $2,000 - 3,000

Sold for: 2185

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