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Circular Hinged Case
French (Limoges or Paris)
Medieval
third quarter of 13th century
Object Place: Europe, Paris, France
Medium/Technique
Champlevé enamel and gilding on copper
Dimensions
6.2 x 1.7 cm (2 7/16 x 11/16 in.)
Credit Line
William Francis Warden Fund
Accession Number49.470
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsEurope
ClassificationsEnamels
DescriptionRound container comprising two similar valves (each with small retaining pins on the sides) fastened with a hinge and clasp. Hammered, champlevé, engraved, chased, enameled, and gilded. Enamel colors are lapis blue, red, and turquoise. On the cover, within a narrow turquoise border, a red armorial shield with three trefoils of acanthus in reserve is set against a dark-blue ground with three wingless dragons, also in reserve. On the opposite side, again encircled by a turquoise border, an amorous couple is engraved in reserve against a lapis-blue ground with thin foliate scrolls in reserve. The female, in three-quarter view on the lift, stands taller than her mate on a gilded platform in the border. She wears a snood with a lozenge design and long mantle over a dress with a gathered waist and decorated collar. Caressing her under the chin, her lover, in profile on the right, is clad in a short tunic and pointed shoes. The sides of each valve are decorated with a row of curved trefoil leaves.
ProvenanceThomas David Gibson-Carmichael, 1st Baron Carmichael (b. 1859 - d. 1926), Skirling House, Lanarkshire, Scotland; June 10, 1926, Carmichael sale, Sotheby's, London, lot 425. By 1936, George Eumorfopoulos (b. 1863 - d. 1939), London [see note 1]; June 6, 1940, posthumous Eumorfopoulos sale, Sotheby's, London, lot 186, to the Brummer Gallery, New York (stock no. P16065); April 23, 1949, Brummer sale, Parke-Bernet Galleries, New York, lot 696, to the MFA for $225. (Accession Date: May 12, 1949)
NOTES:
[1] He lent this to the "Exhibition of Gothic Art in Europe (c. 1200 - c. 1500)" (Burlington Fine Arts Club, London, 1936), cat. no. 95.
NOTES:
[1] He lent this to the "Exhibition of Gothic Art in Europe (c. 1200 - c. 1500)" (Burlington Fine Arts Club, London, 1936), cat. no. 95.