Boston - Boxes

This exceptional 15th-century Venetian painted casket is a rare example of early decorative art from the late Medieval to early Renaissance period in the Republic of Venice, Italy. H...

A rare wooden casket with polychrome and gilded pastiglia relief, Italy, 15th century. The box is adorned with four finely executed scenes from the life of an unknown martyr — beautifully preserved and remarkably vivid after centuries. Dimensions: 15.5 × 10.4 × 9 cm Provenance: Dutch private collection In overall good condition for its age, with minor losses to the surface and possible retouching to the polychromy. The ball feet are likely later additions. Pastiglia [paˈstiʎʎa], an Italian term meaning "pastework", is low relief decoration, normally modelled in gesso or white lead, applied to build up a surface that may then be gilded or painted, or left plain. The technique was used in a variety of ways in Italy during the Renaissance. White lead pastiglia was a north Italian speciality, produced between about 1450 and 1550. Six workshops were identified by Patrick M. De Winter, although their location remains uncertain; the Workshop of the Love and Moral Themes, whose products seem the most numerous, was possibly at Ferrara, where the painter Cosimo Tura began his career gilding caskets. Venice is also thought to have produced them. Other workshops identified by De Winter include the "Workshop of the main Berlin casket" and "Workshop of the Cleveland Casket". The subjects were typically classical, drawn from both mythology and Ancient Roman history (especially the early period covered by Livy), but biblical ones are also found. Compositions can often be shown to be borrowed from another medium, such as prints or bronze plaquettes...

French Bronze & Blue Guilloche Enamel Portrait Box—Stamped ‘France’ A beautiful example of French decorative craftsmanship, this round lidded box combines elegant design with histor...

This is a beautifully preserved example of a Regency period writing slope that also functions as a sewing box. The leather-bound table work box features a stepped square central pan...

A fine quality, charming 19th century Regency Italian late baroque period walnut 2-drawer table, late 17th/early 18th century period rosewood writing box h...

Antique English Regency Period Rosewood Inlaid Box, Circa 1820.

An 18th century Georgian English Bilston Battersea enameled snuff or patch box, the motto reads, “In Memory of a Friend.” An example of Memento Mori, which translates from the Latin,...

Large Cut Crystal Box with Gilt Bronze Mounts. Exceptionally large size makes this piece ideal for a number of different uses.

From Halcyon Days, a Bilston enamel trinket box shaped as an egg, Stoke-on-Trent, England, circa 1970-1980s. Established in the 1950s, Halcyon Days Ltd ...

Pocket pill box shaped like a small egg. Pocket pill box like egg hinged opening. Pocket pill box like egg in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated 24ca...

Fine early 19th century English Regency period penwork box, the center panel and front with polychrome chinoiserie decoration, the borders profusely decora...

Regency Brass Bound Rosewood Fitted traveling , dressing box With fitted interior, containing 2 fragrance bottles. Silver lidded makeup Jars, a mir...