Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Her Majesty’s Furniture: A Magnificent Jewel Casket, 1750

Jewel Casket
Florence
1720
The Royal Collection
Made in 1720 in the Grand Ducal Workshops of Florence by Giovanni Battista Foggini, this amazing jewel casket of Ebony, rosewood, hardstones, and gilt bronze came to the Royal Collection through unknown circumstances, possibly as early as the late Eighteenth Century, but probably via Queen Mary. With its intricate mosaic and ornate ormolu, this casket was the epitome of Florentine style.


Though assigned a practical use (holding jewels), the casket is now as valuable as the objects it once held.

No comments: