Crab-form silver-plated caviar dish attributed to Lapini

This beautiful crab-form caviar dish is attributed to the Italian maker Franco Lapini. Based in Florence since 1963, the Lapini workshop designed refined, long-lasting pieces inspired by the tableware that adorned the spectacular Florentine feasts of the 16th Century. Today, they continue to create spectacular pieces for elite clients worldwide, like this piece in the Mayfair Gallery collection.

The dish has been carefully wrought from silver-plated metal to resemble a crab, with even the underside of the model paying close attention to the anatomy of the real-life marine creature. A pleasing contrast is created between the smooth and shining main body of the crab, and the elaborately engraved pincers. A hinged shell top opens to reveal a deep blue glass inner dish which beautifully complements the shimmering silver. The inner dish and the two blue glass eyes inset into the body add a touch of opulence to the piece.

The piece is marked on the underside with ‘RR’ and a rubbed ‘Almazan’ mark.

An almost identical model by Lapini was sold at Sotheby’s 'Dining IN' sale, London, 12th August 2020, lot 41 (£7,560).

With its quirky character and lustrous shine, this dish would make a wonderful piece to add to any antique collection.