Seashell Boat with Infant Sea Nymphs Drawn by a Hippocamp and Dolphins

Meester van de Sebastiaansmartyriën, c. 1657

The identity of one of the most important ivory carvers in the 17th century is unknown, so he is named after his masterpieces, two reliefs dedicated to St Sebastian. In this small, humorous scene, his virtuoso style, technique and feeling for anecdotal detail finds full expression in the putti’s contorted faces, their ‘spaghetti’ hair blowing in the wind and their soft, plump bodies.