The rectangular-shaped silver box composed of a lid with sloping agate walls embellished with three carved coral elephants, to a silver base and lid-rim embellished with sporadic coral cabochons, signed A Ravasco, 1930s, Italian assay marks for silver. 12.2cm x 8.5cm x 3.3cm; height of approximately 6.5cm when including the coral elephants on the lid of the box.

Note: Following on from his father Giacomo Ravasco, Alfredo Ravasco (1873 - 1958) is known for having created an aesthetic all of his own that is instantly recognisable and this has created a relatively small but dedicated following. He produced both jewellery and objets d'art which alluded to the sweeping revolution of geometric lines but that always retained a base in traditional beauty interpreted by Rococo-style flourishes.
Alfredo Ravasco was commissioned to; create the Papal tiara for Pio XI, boxes for important relics for San Lorenzo in Palatio ad Sancta Sanctorum in Rome; to restore the golden altar of Vuolvinio in basilica di Sant'Ambrogio in Milan; he made Mussolini's ceremonial staff; and a shrine containing Lucrezia Borgia's hair in the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana.
The natural world remained a source of inspiration for Alfredo Ravasco and his objects often incorporated animals or flora...his love of agate, malachite and lapis lazuli were also apparent and many objects were based around mineralogically fascinating specimens. The lid of this box is a particularly beautiful piece of banded agate and its colours compliment perfectly the three triumphant elephants crowning its top. As with all Ravasco's work, there is an attention to detail and a whimsical joy about his tone that leaves the impression of a man who took great pleasure in his craft.