French 1400-1500, wood and leather, from the Gavet sale

Rectangular casket with hinged lid; covered with leather, cut and slightly embossed with gothic, spiky leaf ornament on a punched ground; the cover is further decorated with a disc and a scroll on the top and the following inscription in gothic characters along the front edge: BIEN VA CI DURE. It is fitted with a lock and plate with cut edges, three plain long hinge bands, one of which carries the hasp, two strengthening bands and a drop handle, all of wrought iron. Lined with crimson leather(?)

Bought from the Emile Gavet collection (lot 702) for £21. 9s 2d.; 'somewhat worn; French, 15th century'. Assigned to Woodwork dept.

See Fulgence nominal file. Emile Gavet collection to be sold by auction 31/5/1897. Mr Skinner to visit and make a selection 'suitable for circulation purposes', with M. Fulgence to act for the Museum to a total limit of £1370. Musuem nos. 633-1897 to 651-1897 inclusive were bought (glass, small figure sculpture, a tapestry and medieval/renaissance leather objects) and delivered to London via M. Chenue of 5 Rue de la Terrasse. Items that the Museum were interested in but did not purchase were lots 42 (small table), 49 (Italian chair).

646-1897