Spanish Casket, 1500-75

BOX: Spanish

Casket inlaid with bone and silver

The front, back and sides of the box and the outside of the hinged lid are all covered with a diaper of two alternating star devices bordered by bands of geometrical ornament. The inside of the box is inlaid on the bottom and sides with larger star devices and borders of octagons. The inside of the lid is covered with a diaper of octagons and crosses surrounded by a geometrical border.

Purchased for £11. 4s from Messrs. L. Harris & co. (The Spanish Art Gallery, Conduit Street, London, previously of Hatton Garden and Old Bond St),
RF 88519/1904 and 8375/1904.
"Box of wood with marquetry of ebony and othe woods and ivory partly stained green; it has also inlay of similar decoration. The front, back and sides of the box and the outside of the hinged lid are all covered with a diaper of two alternating star devices bordered by bands of geometrical ornament. The inside of the box is inlaid on the bottom and sides, with larger star devices and borders of octagons. The inside of the lid is covered with a diaper of octagons and crosses surrounded by a geometrical border. Spanish; 16th or 17th century. Chipped, worn, portions missing."

T.A.Lehfeldt commented '[the two items under consideration, the other being 529-1903] would be desirable acquisitions as the Museum is far from rich in this style of decoration and these objects are of a size to be useful for Circulation'. He regarded the prices asked as high in comparison to the price paid for a coffer, 591-1897, £9. 19. 10

Taracea, the Nasrid technique of micromosaic incrustation, continued in popularity to the end of the sixteenth century. It was used to decorate a wide variety of furniture, from small items like caskets and chessboards, to chests, cabinets and chairs. (M. Rosser-Owen, 2010).

530-1903