Casket
1370-1400 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This casket is made in ca. 1370-1400 in North Italy probably by the Workshop of the Nailed Figures, as a late example of the workshop.
The Workshop of the Nailed Figures (bottega a figure inchiodate) in Northern Italy, active about 1350-1375, was so called by Elena Merlini and reflects on the fact that the members of the group share a characteristic method of manufacture, the figured plaques being attached with round-headed and gilded nails to the wooden core. The iconography of this casket is unusual, while the other caskets mainly represent fairly static figure scenes, this one brims with movement and energy. The repertoire of naked amorini fighting animals was fairly common in the workshop, but was used exclusively on casket lids rather than the body. The present casket is the only surviving example where this animal combat imagery is the subject of the mail panels.
The Workshop of the Nailed Figures (bottega a figure inchiodate) in Northern Italy, active about 1350-1375, was so called by Elena Merlini and reflects on the fact that the members of the group share a characteristic method of manufacture, the figured plaques being attached with round-headed and gilded nails to the wooden core. The iconography of this casket is unusual, while the other caskets mainly represent fairly static figure scenes, this one brims with movement and energy. The repertoire of naked amorini fighting animals was fairly common in the workshop, but was used exclusively on casket lids rather than the body. The present casket is the only surviving example where this animal combat imagery is the subject of the mail panels.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Bone and ebony on a softwood core, with later veneering in mahogany and other woods. Wood inlaid with marquetry, covered with bone plaques |
| Brief description | Casket, wood inlaid with marquetry, probably by the Workshop of the Nailed Figures, Northern Italy, ca. 1370-1400, carcase 19th century |
| Physical description | The casket has a stepped lid, decorated with geometric marquetry of ebony and bone, taking the form of six-petal flowers and lozenges, and bone plaques. Running around the sides of the casket is a continuous frieze of applied carved bone plaques, glued into place. The carcase is almost entirely modern. The sides are decorated with a series of 26 bone plaques, each with a group of three figures (with one exception that depicts only two), sometimes with foliage, sometimes with animals. There is a column at each corner. The figures are mostly female, although some male figures appear, identifibale by their short tunics. The lid, apart from the marquetry is decorated with a band of winged amorini, shown naked from the waist upwards, either full- or half-length, holding scrolls, against a background of foliage. There is a metal handle and a key. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Object history | In the collection of Dr. W. L. Hildburgh, F. S. A., London, in 1934, when it was placed on loan to the Museum; Given by Dr. W. L. Hildburgh in 1952. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This casket is made in ca. 1370-1400 in North Italy probably by the Workshop of the Nailed Figures, as a late example of the workshop. The Workshop of the Nailed Figures (bottega a figure inchiodate) in Northern Italy, active about 1350-1375, was so called by Elena Merlini and reflects on the fact that the members of the group share a characteristic method of manufacture, the figured plaques being attached with round-headed and gilded nails to the wooden core. The iconography of this casket is unusual, while the other caskets mainly represent fairly static figure scenes, this one brims with movement and energy. The repertoire of naked amorini fighting animals was fairly common in the workshop, but was used exclusively on casket lids rather than the body. The present casket is the only surviving example where this animal combat imagery is the subject of the mail panels. |
| Bibliographic references |
|
| Collection | |
| Accession number | A.25-1952 |
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: JSONIIIF Manifest
