Early 19th century Antique Stunning & Rare Italian Carved bone Hourglass Sizes: 20 cm height and 10 cm diameter Slots on the original bases and a very light fel on one pilar base (please check photos) condition; please study all photos as part of description and condition report "Although the first mentions of hourglass date back to the Xth century, this measuring tool appeared certainly several centuries ago. Later, from the Italian Renaissance and especially XVIIth and XVIIIth centuries, it became one of indispensable instruments for any good scientist or curious. It will even symbolize in Arts time that passes, and become one of Death and Time representation." Several similar items found in past auctions, some dated from XIXth and most often from XVIIth century: *SVV PRUNIERS in Louviers on 13/11/2016 No. 135, "rare bone and ebony 5 rounded columns framing the glass hourglass; between the two pears appears a hemp and silk threads knot.The 2 trays with rosettes marquettery design, France or Germany, XVIIth century 23.5cm high" *PIASA Hotel Drouot Room 16 on 06/03/2014 No. 211, "4 balusters columns bone turned hourglass with carved bases of spiral godrons around a radiant disc, moulded edge, transparent glass bulbs with white sand inside, joined by textile and golden threads knote, Italy late XVIIIth - early XIXth century. 18,6cm height and 11cm diameter *ACADEMIA FINE ARTS, Salon Beaumarchais-Bosio, Hotel de Paris, Place du Casino in Monaco on 29/07/2012 No. 161, "rare ivory carved and turned 4 ring columns hourglass. The two bases decorated with carved rosettes in mesh frames.Probably Italian work, from late XVIIth century; Sizes: 20,3 cm high x diam: 10,5 cm diameter There are a few similar examples, one for sale at Blanchet Associates, the other in ivory encrusted with blackened wood or ebony, at Sotheby's in London, on December 10, 2002, lot 69; the third ivory with polychrome inlays belongs to the collections of the Louvre Museum (Inv. OA184; don Sauvageot in 1856); finally, a last one, almost similar to the one we propose, was part of the the Lambert Hotel and the Château de Ferrières belonging to Baron de Redé and Baron Guy de Rothschildcollection (Sotheby's sale, Monaco, May 26, 1975, lot 117)." "Rare carved Hourglass with six ringed columns. The bases decorated with rosettes flowers in mesh frames. Probably Italian work, from XVIIth century.They offers form and materials, are characteristic of XVIIth century Italian production" *ADER, Hotel DROUOT 08 June 2006 Room 16 No. 563 (succession collection Bernardino GOMES) "bone and exotic wood hourglass, two pyramidal containers gathered in the central part by their tip with a silk and gold threads blanket. It's protected by a six two-coloured turned bars -connected by the lid and a base with similar design, cylindrical cage, France XVIIth or XVIIIth century. 22,3 cm height."