Dutch Filigree Silver Casket

Silver Filigree Casket

Holland

circa 1720

height: 8cm,

length: 13.5cm, width: 8cm, weight: 552g

This fine Dutch solid silver filigree casket comprises filigree silver panels on all sides, including the base. The hinged lid retains the original lock, although the key is deficient. The filigree work comprises scrolls and scrolls within scrolls, with two different thicknesses of silver wire delineating the patterns.

There are two cast silver bracket handles to either side. The casket stands on four unusual and splendid solid silver feet cast in the form of grotesque masks.

The casket has a tax mark for locally-made silver. Possibly this is a later mark.

The casket is in excellent condition: there are no losses or repairs; the lid closely firmly and evenly, and the feet sit flatly and solidly.

Filigree caskets such as these appear to have been the inspiration for filigree boxes and the like produced in Europe’s Asian colonies.

For two related Dutch silver filigree caskets, see lot 144, Christie’s New York, ‘Important Silver, Objects of Vertu and Russian Works of Art’, April 20, 2000; and lot 390, Christie’s Amsterdam, ‘Dutch and Foreign Silver, Objects of Vertu and Judaica’, December 10, 2007.

Provenance

UK private collection

Inventory no.: 1748

SOLD