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Casket

Casket

  • Place of origin:

    Spain (made)

  • Date:

    1625-1650 (made)

  • Artist/Maker:

    Unknown (production)

  • Materials and Techniques:

    Silver, filigree

  • Museum number:

    191-1881

  • Gallery location:

    Silver, room 69, case 16

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Caskets like this might have contained valuables or even holy relics. The tradition for filigree work in Spain (silver wirework), originates from the Islamic world, via Islamic craftsmen who lived and worked in Southern Spain before their expulsion in 1492. In the 17th century, Spanish trade links with China and India (Goa and the Indo-Portuguese Empire) encouraged a revival in Spain of this highly skilled technique.

The shape of this casket, its feet, scroll-form handle and the cartouche lock are all European in style. The filigree work, rows of repetitive scrolls, is reminiscent of Chinese filigree imported into Spain.

Physical description

Rectangular filigree casket. 4 scroll feet with hinged lid. Applied lock plate. Swing handles at each end and on lid. Key inside.

Place of Origin

Spain (made)

Date

1625-1650 (made)

Artist/maker

Unknown (production)

Materials and Techniques

Silver, filigree

Marks and inscriptions

Assayer scratch mark under base.

Dimensions

Height: 14.08 cm, Length: 21.03 cm, Width: 12.06 cm

Object history note

TS: 2nd quarter of 17th century. The object inside the casket is not a key but a hinge strap. This would need to be fixed back into place by Conservation.

Labels and date

Silver Gallery:
Such caskets either contained valuables or relics. The tradition for filigree, or silver wirework, goes back to the Moors in Southern Spain (pre-1492). In the 17th century Spanish trade links with China and India (Goa and the Indo-Portuguese Empire) encouraged a revival in this highly skilled technique. The shape of the casket, its feet and handle in scroll-form and the cartouche lock are all European in style, whereas the filigree in rows of repetitive scrolls is reminiscent of Chinese filigree imported into Spain. [26/11/2002]

Production Note

Maker unidentified

Materials

Silver

Techniques

Filigree

Categories

Containers; Metalwork

Collection code

MET

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Qr_O91572
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