NAVIGATION

The technique of piqué in tortoiseshell spread throughout Europe in the 17th and 18th centuries, but the most beautiful work came from Naples. In August 1683 the Duke of Gravina paid 3 ducats to Matteo de Turris for a ‘Tabaci Tartaruga’ to make him a fine inlaid box. Called ‘Tartarugal’ these Neapolitan craftsmen co-operated with the makers of musical instruments and clocks, and with cabinetmakers, when their skills were required. The three most notable Neapolitan craftsmen of the period were Nicolas de Turris, Giuseppe Gennaro Sarao and Antonio Laurentis who was appointed goldsmith to the Court of Naples in 1747. All three craftsmen were members of the ‘Tabaci Tartaruga’.