Casket
early 18th century (made), 19th century (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
This large casket with a hinged lid consists of amber and ivory panels and strip glued on to a wooden frame. This casket was probably made up from wood, ivory and pieces of amber in the 19th century, incorporating earlier pieces, the amber swags of fruit, intaglio, and low relief panels, which perhaps came from an 18th century German casket broken beyond repair, along with two games-pieces (two amber medallions, one on each side of the casket).
Object details
Category | |
Object type | |
Materials and techniques | Amber and ivory on wooden frame, metal hinges, damask lining |
Brief description | Casket, amber ivory Italian 19th century incorporating early 18th century German pieces. |
Physical description | Large casket with a hinged lid consists of amber and ivory panels and strips glued on to a wooden frame. The amber panels on the main body of the casket are carved in intaglio with landscape and figure scenes. Other rhomboid-shaped amber panels with holes gouged out underneath are placed over gold coloured meral foil. The ivory panels are crudely incised with landscape vignettes, stylised acanthus leaves and other decorative motives, and the incisions darkened with ink. Amber swags of fruit hang from the base of the casket, while on the top are three amber oval scenes of nymphs and satyrs in deep relief. The casket rests on four elaborate feet; it is lined on the inside with red damask. |
Dimensions |
|
Production | Perhaps Venetian 19th century incorporating early 18th century North East German pieces |
Subjects depicted | |
Summary | This large casket with a hinged lid consists of amber and ivory panels and strip glued on to a wooden frame. This casket was probably made up from wood, ivory and pieces of amber in the 19th century, incorporating earlier pieces, the amber swags of fruit, intaglio, and low relief panels, which perhaps came from an 18th century German casket broken beyond repair, along with two games-pieces (two amber medallions, one on each side of the casket). |
Bibliographic reference | Trusted, Marjorie. Catalogue of European ambers in the Victoria and Albert Museum. London, 1985. pp. 82-83. cat. no. 21. |
Collection | |
Accession number | C.19-1923 |
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
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
Record created | June 24, 2009 |
Record URL |
Download as: JSON