Box
16th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
The geometric pattern on the lid and sides is an interesting example of creating a three dimensional effect by juxtaposing lighter and darker pieces of wood - an art at which the Italians excelled. Both the materials and the design of this box show the influence of the Islamic world upon the manufacture of luxury objects in Italy in the 16th century. The trade routes between states like Venice and the cities of the eastern Mediterranean resulted in a two-way cultural exchange that profoundly affected art and design. The geometric inlay of coloured woods and bone is similar in style to the designs found on Islamic woodwork.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Wood box overlaid with bone and inlaid in bone ebony and mahogany with a brass clasp and handle |
| Brief description | Box, wood inlaid with marquetry of bone, ebony and mahogany, Italian, 16th century |
| Physical description | Wood (coffer-shaped) overlaid with bone and squares of geometrical inlay in bone (partly stained green), ebony and mahogany, the bottom with squares of ebony and bone. Brass handle, drop clasp and hinges. |
| Dimensions |
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| Credit line | Murray Bequest |
| Object history | From the Murray bequest. |
| Summary | The geometric pattern on the lid and sides is an interesting example of creating a three dimensional effect by juxtaposing lighter and darker pieces of wood - an art at which the Italians excelled. Both the materials and the design of this box show the influence of the Islamic world upon the manufacture of luxury objects in Italy in the 16th century. The trade routes between states like Venice and the cities of the eastern Mediterranean resulted in a two-way cultural exchange that profoundly affected art and design. The geometric inlay of coloured woods and bone is similar in style to the designs found on Islamic woodwork. |
| Bibliographic reference | 'Salting Bequest (A. 70 to A. 1029-1910) / Murray Bequest (A. 1030 to A. 1096-1910)'. In: List of Works of Art Acquired by the Victoria and Albert Museum (Department of Architecture and Sculpture). London: Printed under the Authority of his Majesty's Stationery Office, by Eyre and Spottiswoode, Limited, East Harding Street, EC, p. 163 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | A.1071-1910 |
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| Record created | January 7, 2004 |
| Record URL |
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