Thaler Box
1750-1800 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
It was the custom in the southern regions of Germany in the 17th and 18th centuries for godfathers to give the child a coin on the day of baptism. These coins were not just handed over casually but presented formally in a purse, decorative envelope, or a little box made especially for that purpose.
This box is one of those Thaler or Ducat boxes. They are usually of similar size, as they were made to fit the dimensions of the coin, and are often made of open filigree or pierced, as in this example, so that the coin can be seen inside. Thaler boxes can be distinguished from other small silver boxes by the tiny feet on the base.
This box is one of those Thaler or Ducat boxes. They are usually of similar size, as they were made to fit the dimensions of the coin, and are often made of open filigree or pierced, as in this example, so that the coin can be seen inside. Thaler boxes can be distinguished from other small silver boxes by the tiny feet on the base.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
|
| Materials and techniques | Engraved silver |
| Brief description | Shallow cylindrical silver box (Thaler box) with rococo engraving, on three ball feet, Germany, 1750-1800. |
| Physical description | Small shallow cylindrical silver box with a lid that pushes on. The top is engraved with an asymmetric pierced rococo pattern with a decorative rim. The base has a stylised six-lobed flower on a quatrefoil ground with the same rim. There are three ball feet on the base. |
| Marks and inscriptions | ‘ET’ in a rectangular frame. (Marked twice on outer rim of outside of base.)
|
| Credit line | Lt. Col. G. B. Croft-Lyons Bequest |
| Summary | It was the custom in the southern regions of Germany in the 17th and 18th centuries for godfathers to give the child a coin on the day of baptism. These coins were not just handed over casually but presented formally in a purse, decorative envelope, or a little box made especially for that purpose. This box is one of those Thaler or Ducat boxes. They are usually of similar size, as they were made to fit the dimensions of the coin, and are often made of open filigree or pierced, as in this example, so that the coin can be seen inside. Thaler boxes can be distinguished from other small silver boxes by the tiny feet on the base. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.788:1,2-1926 |
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| Record created | June 24, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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