Case
1625-1675 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This case protected a mantel clock, possibly of gilt bronze, when transported or stored. Its shape indicates that the clock it was made to house was squat and square, suggesting a date in the mid-seventeenth century.
The case is made of wood, lined with pink silk and covered with a thin layer of very fine hide, probably calf skin, dyed red. It is likely that the hide was decorated before it was applied by damping it down and impressing it with a variety of heated tools. Rollers and stamps were used to create a recessed pattern which, once the hide was dry, would last indefinitely. The pattern was then filled with gold leaf and polished. The decorated hide was glued to the wood and the corners reinforced with round-headed nails.
The two side handles are formed as dolphins flanking a mask, and the escutcheon features two cherubs holding an oval cartouche surrounded by swags of drapery.
The case is made of wood, lined with pink silk and covered with a thin layer of very fine hide, probably calf skin, dyed red. It is likely that the hide was decorated before it was applied by damping it down and impressing it with a variety of heated tools. Rollers and stamps were used to create a recessed pattern which, once the hide was dry, would last indefinitely. The pattern was then filled with gold leaf and polished. The decorated hide was glued to the wood and the corners reinforced with round-headed nails.
The two side handles are formed as dolphins flanking a mask, and the escutcheon features two cherubs holding an oval cartouche surrounded by swags of drapery.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
|
| Materials and techniques | Leatherwork |
| Brief description | DC1; French 1600-1700 (case); French, 1600-1700 |
| Physical description | Leather case for a clock; of wood, covered with stamped and gilt leather. It has brass mounts. The surface is covered with rosettes and scrollwork borders; mounts consist of escutcheons chased with cherubs; moulded handle on lid, borders of nails, side drop handles each consisting of a mark between two dolphins. |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Credit line | Bequeathed by the late Captain Henry Boyles Murray |
| Object history | Bequeathed in 1911 by the late Captain Henry Boyles Murray. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This case protected a mantel clock, possibly of gilt bronze, when transported or stored. Its shape indicates that the clock it was made to house was squat and square, suggesting a date in the mid-seventeenth century. The case is made of wood, lined with pink silk and covered with a thin layer of very fine hide, probably calf skin, dyed red. It is likely that the hide was decorated before it was applied by damping it down and impressing it with a variety of heated tools. Rollers and stamps were used to create a recessed pattern which, once the hide was dry, would last indefinitely. The pattern was then filled with gold leaf and polished. The decorated hide was glued to the wood and the corners reinforced with round-headed nails. The two side handles are formed as dolphins flanking a mask, and the escutcheon features two cherubs holding an oval cartouche surrounded by swags of drapery. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | W.52:1, 2-1911 |
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| Record created | July 11, 2006 |
| Record URL |
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