Upper part of an episcopal staff in carved walrus ivory with - Lot 134

Upper part of an episcopal staff in carved walrus ivory with red highlights and ebony inlays, mother-of-pearl and tortoiseshell veneer, engraved and gilded copper. Symmetrical tau in the form of two upturned dragon heads, mouth open, tongue out; octagonal staff nailed in silver and decorated with imbricated motifs at the tip and small crosses at the top; two ovoid knots, one median and the other at the base. Armenian art, Turkey, probably Constantinople, circa 1650-1670 H. 57.5 cm Plinth (minor accidents) This Armenian episcopal staff adopts the style and precious materials used by craftsmen at the Ottoman court in Istanbul since the 16th century, notably tortoiseshell, ivory, mother-of-pearl and exotic woods. A complete tau of comparable work is in the Victoria and Albert Museum (inv. 461-1877, fig.). Book consulted : - M. Trusted, Baroque & Later Ivories, Victoria & Albert Museum, London, 2013, cat. 324a, p. 329.