Casket, bone, wood and brass, with hunting scenes, South Netherlands, about 1440-1470

Casket, built around a wooden carcase, to which have been glued carved bone panels and strips. The lid has four panels depicting animals running through woods with the sun above; three seem to be dogs (that at the upper right with its prey in its mouth), while one appears to be a boar. The long sides each consist of two plaques, the short sides of one. The front shows a stag and a lion lying facing one another to each side of the lock plate. The right side depicts a dog, the back has a dromedary and a Bactrian camel lying facing one another, and the left side depicts a unicorn. The underside of the casket is ornamented with plaques of bone and dark stained wood in a checkerboard pattern; however, the pattern is 6 x 4 not 8 x 8, and thus could never have been used as a chess board. The lock plate, handle and hinges are of brass.
The casket was probably used as a nuptial gift.

From about 1320 onwards, ivory caskets featuring secular subject matter began to be produced in substantial numbers, often sharing the imagery to be found on mirror backs. Some of the earlier examples are also some of the grandest, and must have been aimed at a wealthy clientele. The nature of the subject matter, which almost always concentrates on courtly love, chivalry and romance, indicates that the caskets were used for the exchange of courtship and wedding gifts. The most important type among the early caskets was what has become known as the ‘composite’ casket, illustrating more than one secular tale. This group of large and impressive caskets, of which at least eight examples survive, illustrate a variety of secular tales and themes. The primary function was not to stimulate memories of the viewers, but to delight and entertain.

Bought in Paris in 1856 , £1 8s.

This bone and wood casket depicting hunting scenes is made in the South of the Netherlands in about 1440-1470.
It was probably used as a nuptial gift.
From about 1320 onwards, ivory caskets featuring secular subject matter began to be produced in substantial numbers, often sharing the imagery to be found on mirror backs. Some of the earlier examples are also some of the grandest, and must have been aimed at a wealthy clientele. The nature of the subject matter, which almost always concentrates on courtly love, chivalry and romance, indicates that the caskets were used for the exchange of courtship and wedding gifts. The most important type among the early caskets was what has become known as the ‘composite’ casket, illustrating more than one secular tale. This group of large and impressive caskets, of which at least eight examples survive, illustrate a variety of secular tales and themes. The primary function was not to stimulate memories of the viewers, but to delight and entertain.

2553-1856