Not currently on display at the V&A

Casket

ca. 1670-1680 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This casket, probably made in Danzig (modern Gdańsk), in about 1670-1680, was perhaps originally intended as a jewellery box. Clear and opaque amber panels and pierced ivory reliefs depicting scenes derived from various engraved sources have been applied to a wooden core. The common use of three different engraved sources, Visscher, Hermann and Collaert, on the lost amber throne and A.11-1926, suggests that this casket might have originated from the same workshop that was responsible for the throne, although it is evident that these sources were popular amongst amber and ivory workers.


Object details

Category
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 7 parts.

  • Casket
  • Fragment
  • Fragment
  • Fragment
  • Fragment
  • Fragment
  • Fragment
Materials and techniques
Brief description
Casket with amber and ivory panels, probably made in Danzig (modern Gdańsk), Royal Prussia, Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, 17th century
Physical description
Casket, clear and opaque amber panels and pierced ivory reliefs have been applied to a wooden core. The metal mounts are embossed with a leaf design. The ivory reliefs on the lid are as follow: at the front, Minerva, at the back, an eagle and trophy of weapons, with two floral designs at the sides. On the front of the main body of the casket are two pierced ivory reliefs of Music and Phetoric respectively, represented by two female figures. Below them are two pierced ivory reliefs of warriors in classical costume. On either side of the pair of warriors are two pierced ivory reliefs of Actaeon hunting deer, and Arcas, Callisto (transformed into a bear), and Jupiter. On the sides of the casket are pierced ivory relief of the Four Continents and below the continents are representations of the Four Ancient Rulers on horseback, each trampling a vanquished foe underfoot, and accompanied by a heraldic animal. On the left side, Ninus of Assyria, the first Ruler, carries a banner bearing a lion. On the same side is Cyrus, Emperor of Persian, who carries a banner bearing a lamb, and is accompanied by a bear. On the right side is Alexander the Great, carrying a banner with a ram, and with a hydra as his heraldic animal. The fourth Ruler, Julius Caesar, has as his heraldic animal a mythical beast, and carries the casces of Rome instead of a banner. On the back of the casket are four pierced ivory reliefs representing the four elements, Air, Earth, Fire and Water. In the centre is an ivory relief of Meleager hunting the Calydonian boar.

On the front, carved in clear red amber, is a central relief of the Virgin and Child with two music-making angels, flanked by reliefs of Justice and Prudence. Below are Temperance, Fortitude and Patience or Humility (a female figure with two lambs). Below them is a trophy of a bow and arrows. On each side of the casket is a medallion also in deep relief in clear red amber, of a carved head, and on the back an oval varving of fruit. On the horizontal edge of the lid are amber carvings of fruit and birds, and a representation of Abundance (?) and Harvest (?).
Dimensions
  • Height: 34cm
  • Width: 44.5cm
  • Depth: 30.8cm
Subjects depicted
Summary
This casket, probably made in Danzig (modern Gdańsk), in about 1670-1680, was perhaps originally intended as a jewellery box. Clear and opaque amber panels and pierced ivory reliefs depicting scenes derived from various engraved sources have been applied to a wooden core. The common use of three different engraved sources, Visscher, Hermann and Collaert, on the lost amber throne and A.11-1926, suggests that this casket might have originated from the same workshop that was responsible for the throne, although it is evident that these sources were popular amongst amber and ivory workers.
Bibliographic references
  • Kappel, Jutta. Bernsteinkunst aus dem Grünen Gewölbe. Dresdener Kunstblätter. 49, 2005. 2. p. 77.
  • Trusted, Marjorie. Catalogue of European ambers in the Victoria and Albert Museum. London, 1985. cat. no. 16.
Collection
Accession number
A.11:1-1926

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

Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest