DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6656#0035
This beautiful coffer in ebony, one of many existing in the collection, is of Italian workmanship
of the 16th century. It is richly embellished with round figures and reliefs, enamelled in the earliest
manner of enamel painting, and with small plaques of gold, let into the wood with beautiful enamelled
arabesques executed by the "cloisonne" process. It has the common form of these antique coffers, that of
a small building The roof or lid is surmounted by a recumbent figure of a boy leaning upon a skull,
with an hour-glass at his feet. His head is bound with a fillet, with a medallion in front, and in his
hand, he holds a book or tablet on which is to be read "memento mori". If the primary destination of
this article was for the preservation of jewels, this inscription may have been intended as a warning against
vanity : there is but little doubt, however, that it was originally meant for relics.
One of the cardinal or Christian virtues is represented in relief in the centre of each of the four
sloping sides and ends of the lid or roof. The one visible in the plate is Charity or Christian Love.
The round figures representing the theological virtues are introduced in semi-circular-headed niches upon
the sides and ends of the box itself, which is of an oblong form. In the most luxurious days of ancient
Rome, richly adorned jewel coffers ("Pixes") of the most elaborate workmanship were a favourite article
of decoration on the toilet-tables of the Roman ladies. Their form was peculiar, generally that of a tomb
or other monumental building, and at a later period after the Christian era, when they wi re employed
as repositories for relics ("chasses"), that of a church. Similar coffers continued in use without much
change of form up to the 18"' century, and occur even in our times. They formed like the so-called
"brides' coffers", a part of the dower, which newly married ladies of distinction brought with them to their
new homes. It is well known, that in later times, many, originally intended for religious purposes, were
adapted to the more mundane use, and consequently, very frequently the ornaments and allusions were
singularly inappropriate and inapplicable.
■2i
1
XI.
A Jewel box or Coffer.
Height 1314 in. Length 12fJ in.
1
1
1
of the 16th century. It is richly embellished with round figures and reliefs, enamelled in the earliest
manner of enamel painting, and with small plaques of gold, let into the wood with beautiful enamelled
arabesques executed by the "cloisonne" process. It has the common form of these antique coffers, that of
a small building The roof or lid is surmounted by a recumbent figure of a boy leaning upon a skull,
with an hour-glass at his feet. His head is bound with a fillet, with a medallion in front, and in his
hand, he holds a book or tablet on which is to be read "memento mori". If the primary destination of
this article was for the preservation of jewels, this inscription may have been intended as a warning against
vanity : there is but little doubt, however, that it was originally meant for relics.
One of the cardinal or Christian virtues is represented in relief in the centre of each of the four
sloping sides and ends of the lid or roof. The one visible in the plate is Charity or Christian Love.
The round figures representing the theological virtues are introduced in semi-circular-headed niches upon
the sides and ends of the box itself, which is of an oblong form. In the most luxurious days of ancient
Rome, richly adorned jewel coffers ("Pixes") of the most elaborate workmanship were a favourite article
of decoration on the toilet-tables of the Roman ladies. Their form was peculiar, generally that of a tomb
or other monumental building, and at a later period after the Christian era, when they wi re employed
as repositories for relics ("chasses"), that of a church. Similar coffers continued in use without much
change of form up to the 18"' century, and occur even in our times. They formed like the so-called
"brides' coffers", a part of the dower, which newly married ladies of distinction brought with them to their
new homes. It is well known, that in later times, many, originally intended for religious purposes, were
adapted to the more mundane use, and consequently, very frequently the ornaments and allusions were
singularly inappropriate and inapplicable.
■2i
1
XI.
A Jewel box or Coffer.
Height 1314 in. Length 12fJ in.
1
1
1