Box thumbnail 1
Box thumbnail 2
Not currently on display at the V&A

Box

about 1500 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Rectangular casket with shallow domed, detachable lid, veneered on the exterior surfaces with geometrical patterns using wood, bone and ivory, except the bottom which is undecorated wood (to be checked). At each corner is a turned ivory double baluster spindle. Along the edges of the lid and plinth is a deep ogee moulding made of alternating sections of bone and a dark stained wood.

The joints of the casket are butted and glued. The small scale geometrical veneers are rod (or bundle) cut. The black and white mouldings were presumably composed in sections, then moulded using a moulding plane.

Condition
Two loose sections of moulded plinth


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Cover (Closure)
  • Box
Materials and techniques
Walnut, veneered with ivory, bone and other woods
Brief description
Ivory and coloured wood box; Venice (?); about 1500
Physical description
Rectangular casket with shallow domed, detachable lid, veneered on the exterior surfaces with geometrical patterns using wood, bone and ivory, except the bottom which is undecorated wood (to be checked). At each corner is a turned ivory double baluster spindle. Along the edges of the lid and plinth is a deep ogee moulding made of alternating sections of bone and a dark stained wood.

The joints of the casket are butted and glued. The small scale geometrical veneers are rod (or bundle) cut. The black and white mouldings were presumably composed in sections, then moulded using a moulding plane.

Condition
Two loose sections of moulded plinth
Dimensions
  • Height: 10.2cm
  • Width: 15.2cm
  • Depth: 10.2cm
Taken from department file: H 4in x L 6in x W 4in (inches)
Object history
Bought for £4 . 16s. No further details are recorded as to how the Museum acquired this object.
Bibliographic reference
Ancient and Modern Furniture & Woodwork in the South Kensington Museum, described with an introduction by John Hungerford Pollen, (London, 1874), p. 32. Box. Marquetry of ivory and coloured woods, in squares and geometrical patterns, with semicircular top. Venetian. About 1500. H. 4. in., L. 6 in., W 4 in. Bought, 4l. 16s.
Collection
Accession number
2567:2-1856

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Record createdJune 19, 2006
Record URL
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