An Important Late 17th Century Cast Bronze Mortar... Lot 307

An Important Late 17th Century Cast Bronze Mortar attributed to Nicolas De La Paix (1645/9 - 1722). The mortar decorated with medallions representing King Louis XIV, Cosimo III de Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany, and his wife Marguerite d'Orleans and a medallion with Bacchus alternated with caryatids and fleur-de-lis. The frieze bearing the name 'I.CAVELIER' and date 1692. 5½'' (154 cm) high, 8'' (20 cm) in diameter. [This mortar is mentioned in 'Mortiers francais du XVe au XVIIIe siecle' ed. Serge Domini page 315. At the time of publication, the mortar was still in the former private collection of Monsieur Didier Houberechts in Louvian (BE)].