Casket
1500-1550 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Rectangular casket with slightly arched lid; wood, covered with cut leather, enriched with colour and gilding.
The top of the lid is decorated with two panels, the left containing a representation of the Expulsion of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden, and the right a woman, probably Bathsheba, bathing in a fountain. The rest of the lid is covered with leaves and scrollwork and a ribbons twisted around a rod. The front of the casket contains two panels, one with a shield and the other with a vase, amid leafy scrolls terminating in grotesque heads. On each side is a male profile mask and on the back two similar masks within circular medallions surrounded by floral scrolls. The underside is plain. The interior is bare wood, the lining having been removed; a red textile has been crudely attached to the underside of the lid.
The casket is fitted with three long, brass, hinge bands, the centre one carrying the hasp, two strengthening bands at each side, a drop handle and a lock escutcheon. The back of one brass elements is stamped with what appears to be a maker's or merchant's mark.
The top of the lid is decorated with two panels, the left containing a representation of the Expulsion of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden, and the right a woman, probably Bathsheba, bathing in a fountain. The rest of the lid is covered with leaves and scrollwork and a ribbons twisted around a rod. The front of the casket contains two panels, one with a shield and the other with a vase, amid leafy scrolls terminating in grotesque heads. On each side is a male profile mask and on the back two similar masks within circular medallions surrounded by floral scrolls. The underside is plain. The interior is bare wood, the lining having been removed; a red textile has been crudely attached to the underside of the lid.
The casket is fitted with three long, brass, hinge bands, the centre one carrying the hasp, two strengthening bands at each side, a drop handle and a lock escutcheon. The back of one brass elements is stamped with what appears to be a maker's or merchant's mark.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Wood and leather; brass mounts |
| Brief description | French, 1500-50, wood and cut leather |
| Physical description | Rectangular casket with slightly arched lid; wood, covered with cut leather, enriched with colour and gilding. The top of the lid is decorated with two panels, the left containing a representation of the Expulsion of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden, and the right a woman, probably Bathsheba, bathing in a fountain. The rest of the lid is covered with leaves and scrollwork and a ribbons twisted around a rod. The front of the casket contains two panels, one with a shield and the other with a vase, amid leafy scrolls terminating in grotesque heads. On each side is a male profile mask and on the back two similar masks within circular medallions surrounded by floral scrolls. The underside is plain. The interior is bare wood, the lining having been removed; a red textile has been crudely attached to the underside of the lid. The casket is fitted with three long, brass, hinge bands, the centre one carrying the hasp, two strengthening bands at each side, a drop handle and a lock escutcheon. The back of one brass elements is stamped with what appears to be a maker's or merchant's mark. |
| Dimensions |
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| Object history | Bought 'Damaged' for £29. 15s. 10d from Monsieur G. Duseigneur, 18 Rue Seguier, Paris on 29th October and 23rd November 1900. Attributed as 'French, 1500-50', assigned to Woodwork Dept. Museum files: MA/1/D1997/2 Duseigneur, G. & Raoul RP 1900/90327 RP 1900/90750 RP 1900/26979 |
| Historical context | The choice of female exemplars depicted on the lid suggests that this casket was intended for a woman, perhaps as a betrothal or marriage gift. Roundels with classical, profile heads were particularly fashionable during the early decades of the 16th century. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 85-1901 |
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| Record created | June 24, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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