Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 9

Italian Silver-Plated Crab-Form Caviar Dish Attributed to Franco Lapini

About the Item

Italian silver-plated crab-form caviar dish attributed to Franco Lapini Italian, c. 1970 Height 9cm, width 26cm, depth 24cm This sensational caviar dish takes the form of a large crab, and is a wonderfully quirky collector’s item. Expert craftsmanship can be seen in the moulding: the legs of the crab have been evocatively carved to recreate the scaly texture, and even the underside of the model has been designed to replicate the animal’s anatomy. The hinged top is inset with two blue glass eyes, and the top opens to reveal a deep navy glass inner dish. The model is attributed to the Florentine silversmith Franco Lapini, who was known for creating refined pieces inspired by the eclecticism of 16th century Florentine tableware. The Lapini workshop to this day continues to create pieces for an elite international clientele. The piece is marked ‘RR’ and with a rubbed ‘Almazan’ mark on the underside. A highly similar model was sold at Sotheby’s in 2020 for £7,560. Filled with charming character, this piece recalls the Renaissance whimsy that inspired Lapini, and would make a wonderful addition to any collection of antiques.
  • Attributed to:
    Franco Lapini (Designer)
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 3.55 in (9 cm)Width: 10.24 in (26 cm)Depth: 9.45 in (24 cm)
  • Style:
    Renaissance Revival (In the Style Of)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    c. 1970
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use.
  • Seller Location:
    London, GB
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: 175281stDibs: LU956337876562
More From This SellerView All
  • Pair of Italian Crab-Form Grotto Chairs, Attributed to Pauly et Cie, Venice
    By Pauly et Cie
    Located in London, GB
    These wacky 'Grotto' chairs were manufactured in Venice in response to the 19th century interior design craze for Grotto furniture. The trend originat...
    Category

    Antique Late 19th Century Italian Chairs

    Materials

    Velvet, Wood

  • Set of Eight Italian Silver Crab-Form Boxes by Buccellati
    By Gianmaria Buccellati
    Located in London, GB
    These charming silver boxes, which could have been made as salt and pepper or pill pots, are each crafted to resemble a small crab. Crafted with great precision and superbly realisti...
    Category

    20th Century Italian Models and Miniatures

    Materials

    Sterling Silver

  • Antique Arabesque Steel Plate with Gold and Silver Inlay
    Located in London, GB
    Antique Arabesque steel plate with gold and silver inlay. Continental, 19th century Dimensions: Height 2cm, diameter 32.5cm Beautifully crafted from steel with gold and silver damascening, this fine 19th century plate is profusely decorated with scrolling arabesque detailing. Around the rim of the plate, scrolling foliate vines and flowers are interspersed with four grotesque masks. The centre is similarly decorated, with intertwining scrolls, acanthus leaves, dolphin heads, and swans. There are also two coats of arms to the centre, which feature crowns and gold bows above. On one of the shields, the top half features a bird with its wings spread wide, with a church building to the bottom half. The other has an angel figure to the left and a double headed eagle to the right. The joining of two coats of arms in this manner often symbolizes the joining of two noble families in marriage, so the present plate could have been produced in celebration of a noble wedding. This manner of decoration is similar to that of Spanish metalworker Plácido Zuloaga...
    Category

    Antique 19th Century European Platters and Serveware

    Materials

    Gold, Silver, Steel

  • Extensive Silver-Plate Table Service by English Firm Elkington
    By Elkington & Co.
    Located in London, GB
    Extensive silver plate table service by English firm Elkington English, circa 1850 Size: Chest height 48cm, width 87cm, depth 59cm Mirrored base: Height 5.5cm, width 90cm, depth 37cm Small desert...
    Category

    Antique Mid-19th Century English Victorian Tableware

    Materials

    Silver Plate

  • Set of twelve silver-plated bronze Queen hand bells by Gorham
    By Gorham Manufacturing Company
    Located in London, GB
    Set of twelve silver-plated bronze Queen hand bells by Gorham American, Late 20th Century Height 13cm, diameter 6cm A set of six pairs, each depicting significant royal figures from...
    Category

    20th Century American Modern Tableware

    Materials

    Silver Plate, Bronze

  • A set of four sterling silver crab-form boxes by Buccellati
    By Gianmaria Buccellati
    Located in London, GB
    A set of four sterling silver crab-form boxes by Buccellati Italian, 20th Century Height 5cm, width 11cm, depth 7cm Crafted by Mabuti in Milan, Italy, and...
    Category

    20th Century Italian Modern Sterling Silver

    Materials

    Coral, Silver, Sterling Silver

You May Also Like
  • Italian Silver Plated Seal Form Wine Cooler by Franco Lapini
    By Franco Lapini
    Located in Delray Beach, FL
    Exceptional vintage silver plated ice bucket/wine cooler in the shape of a seal by Franco Lapini. This 1970s Italian made sculpted ice...
    Category

    Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Wine Coolers

    Materials

    Silver Plate

  • Franco Lapini Silver Plated Rabbit Serving Plate Italy 1970s
    By Franco Lapini
    Located in Munich, DE
    The Unique Franco Lapini exquisite rabbit serving platter is made entirely of silver plated brass. The large deep oval plate is perfect for presented a luxury meal on your dining tab...
    Category

    Vintage 1970s Platters and Serveware

    Materials

    Silver Plate

  • Franco Lapini King Size Lobsters Dish Silver Plate, circa 1970
    By Franco Lapini
    Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
    Absolutely magnificent huge silver-plated serving platter made and designed by Franco Lapini the 1970s. This is one of the biggest masterpieces he made. Two lobsters facing each other on a decorated surface. Signed on the bottom and there is a number in the rim. Franco Lapini was an Italian silversmith based in Firenze since 1963. Franco Lapini, the creator, was trained at the Istituto D’Arte Internazionale di Porta Romana before opening his first workshop. Lapini had a deep interest in 15th century...
    Category

    Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

    Materials

    Brass, Silver Plate

  • Vintage Silver Plated Caviar Dish in the Shape of a Crab, c. 1970
    Located in London, GB
    A silver-plated caviar dish in the shape of a crab, made by Almazan in Spain c. 1970. The crab is excellently modelled, with fine attention to detail in the legs and claws. The ori...
    Category

    Vintage 1970s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Tableware

    Materials

    Silver Plate, Bronze

  • Large Fish Dish, Top Cover with Seafood and Fishes Attributed to Franco Lapini
    By Franco Lapini
    Located in Paris, FR
    Stunning silver-plated hand-hammered fish platter with sea world decorations: fishes, sea stars, sea horses, and shells are decorating the lid and will magnify your tables. Work attributed to Franco Lapini specialized in this kind of very decorative and sculptural platters...
    Category

    Vintage 1970s Platters and Serveware

    Materials

    Silver Plate

  • Franco Lapini Silver Plated Seal Cake Jar, Italy, 1990
    By Franco Lapini
    Located in Munich, DE
    Franco Lapini exquisite seal sculpture is made entirely of metal plated in silver and its surface is lightly textured to give it an organic feel, the purple Murano glass gracing a st...
    Category

    Vintage 1980s Italian Hollywood Regency Serving Pieces

    Materials

    Silver Plate

Recently Viewed

View All