Casket (cofanetto or scrigno), ca. 1575–1600
Venice
Beech wood, painted and decorated ebony with encrustations of mother-of-pearl; gilded ivory, and gouache miniatures on parchment under glass; later textile-lining; 7 7/8 x 15 5/8 in. (20 x 39.7 cm)
Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917 (17.190.848)
Technical Glossary
Venice
Beech wood, painted and decorated ebony with encrustations of mother-of-pearl; gilded ivory, and gouache miniatures on parchment under glass; later textile-lining; 7 7/8 x 15 5/8 in. (20 x 39.7 cm)
Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917 (17.190.848)
This casket is adorned with mother-of-pearl on both the outside and inner surface of the lid in addition to panels with Islamicizing alla damashina decorative patterns. Set within this glistening framework are miniatures painted on parchment under glass with mythological themes, including the "love of the gods." Such a stylish casket was likely part of an aristocratic woman's trousseau or a wedding gift.
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Related Index Terms
Geography/Place
Material and Technique
- • Ivory
- • Vessel, Box
- • Vessel, Box, Europe
- • Wood, organized by technique
- • Wood, organized by technique, Painted
- • Wood, organized by type
- • Wood, organized by type, Ebony
