An Unusual Carved Boxwood ‘Sphere’

The circumference carved in low relief with the provinces of the Netherlands to one side and the National Arms to the opposite side
Boxwood
The Netherlands
Late 17th or Early 18th Century

PROVENANCE:
London Art Market early 1970s
Ex Private collection

Unusual and possibly ‘unique’, the sphere is finely carved in low relief displaying various coats of arms. It has been suggested that the ‘sphere’ may have been a ‘template’ for an elaborate silversmith’s construction of a ‘kunstkammer’ centre-piece, the ball acting as a support. Or maybe simply a carved ‘apprentice’ piece displaying their own abilities at carving boxwood, a preferred choice of material in the 17th and 18th century Dutch carving tradition.