Box
ca. 1600 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This pearwood box was made in Denmark in about 1600. In Northern Europe, the woods of fruit trees, such as pear, plum and cherry, were used because of their rich colours and as cheap substitute hardwoods for timbers from the Indies. This box is decorated in the vernacular style with popular themes ranging from hunting and duelling to a nude female figure on the lid holding an anchor like a phallic symbol. It was probably intended as a more rustic lover's gift.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
|
| Materials and techniques | Carved pearwood |
| Brief description | Carved box, Danish, 1580-1620 |
| Physical description | Pearwood box carved in relief. Rectangular form. The sliding lid carved in high relief at the further end with a formal rosette and at the other end with a nude recumbent female figure bearing in front an anchor (phallic); Other end plan. Further end carved with standing male and female figures in costume of the late 16th century, flanking a crucifix. On the right hand side a duelling scene showing two contestants with drawn swords, and a lady with flowers accompanied by a French poodle. On the left hand side a hunstman with lance and bugle horn pursuing a deer and two young through woodland. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Credit line | Given by Mrs E. S. Vaux Graham |
| Object history | RP: 51/736 |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This pearwood box was made in Denmark in about 1600. In Northern Europe, the woods of fruit trees, such as pear, plum and cherry, were used because of their rich colours and as cheap substitute hardwoods for timbers from the Indies. This box is decorated in the vernacular style with popular themes ranging from hunting and duelling to a nude female figure on the lid holding an anchor like a phallic symbol. It was probably intended as a more rustic lover's gift. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | W.6:1, 2-1951 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | November 29, 2005 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
