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Not currently on display at the V&A

Coffret

1400-1450 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Boxwood carved in openwork and fitted with silver-gilt mounts. The lid has two panels, one containing a lady seated on the ground and rubbing a heart on a rash; at her feet are a pestle and mortar and above, amid Gothic leafwork, a scroll with an inscription in initials. In the corresponding panel is a gentleman bending on one knee. The front is decorated with a lady seated on the ground and crowned with a wreath. She points with her right hand to a scroll in her left inscribed 'ALS NARR'. In the opposite panel is an ape or wild man looking in a mirror; at his feet is a scroll bearing the words 'ICH HARR'. Below the lock is a small compartment with scroll inscribed 'F.A.T.' In one side panel is a unicorn couchant, and in the other an eagle with wings spread perched on a rock, from which peeps out a coney. The back is occupied by two panels punched with small circles. The lid and the base project. The lock plate is decorated with an applied branch of Gothic foliage. Combined with two dragons; at each angle of the box is applied a twisted column in silver gilt. Pieces of red, green and blue silk form the background to the openwork carvings.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Carved wood; punchwork
Brief description
German/Swiss 1400-50; Salting Bequest
Physical description
Boxwood carved in openwork and fitted with silver-gilt mounts. The lid has two panels, one containing a lady seated on the ground and rubbing a heart on a rash; at her feet are a pestle and mortar and above, amid Gothic leafwork, a scroll with an inscription in initials. In the corresponding panel is a gentleman bending on one knee. The front is decorated with a lady seated on the ground and crowned with a wreath. She points with her right hand to a scroll in her left inscribed 'ALS NARR'. In the opposite panel is an ape or wild man looking in a mirror; at his feet is a scroll bearing the words 'ICH HARR'. Below the lock is a small compartment with scroll inscribed 'F.A.T.' In one side panel is a unicorn couchant, and in the other an eagle with wings spread perched on a rock, from which peeps out a coney. The back is occupied by two panels punched with small circles. The lid and the base project. The lock plate is decorated with an applied branch of Gothic foliage. Combined with two dragons; at each angle of the box is applied a twisted column in silver gilt. Pieces of red, green and blue silk form the background to the openwork carvings.
Dimensions
  • Height: 6.4cm
  • Width: 13cm
  • Depth: 8.3cm
Marks and inscriptions
On the front a lady points with her right hand to a scroll in her left inscribed 'ALS NARR'. In the opposite panel is an ape or wild man looking in a mirror; at his feet is a scroll bearing the words 'ICH HARR'. Below the lock is a small compartment with scroll inscribed 'F.A.T.'
Gallery label
BOX. Boxwood, carved with emblematic figures and inscriptions in German. probably from the UPPER RHINE (BASEL); early 15th century. Salting Bequest W. 119-1910(Pre-2006)
Credit line
Bequeathed by George Salting
Object history
Bequeathed in 1910 by George Salting.
It was probably a love gift.
Subjects depicted
Collection
Accession number
W.119-1910

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Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
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