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Truncated Pyramidal Box with Heraldic Motifs

Anonymous (Italian)

13th century

ivory, painted and gilded decoration

4 5/16 x 7 1/2 x 4 5/16 in. (11 x 19 x 11 cm)

Description
This box is a conventional example of the Siculo-Arabic style, with ivory panels mounted on a wooden core and a truncated pyramidal cover, but the decoration is unusual. The mounts are standard for Sicilian work: long strap hinges and copper connectors tying each ivory plate to the adjoining plate. The decoration is in the painted technique of the Islamic boxes from Sicily, but displays largely European motifs: heraldic lions and an eagle, lions and birds with plant ornament, two tiny dragons, and bands of acanthus and vine-scroll ornament. The decoration is probably Italian. The original lock and hasp are missing, and the paint is considerably rubbed.
Additional Information

Acquired by Henry Walters, 1925

71.306

Not on view

Siculo-Arabic

Sicily, Italy


Provenance

Germanisches Museum, Nuremberg; Léon Gruel, Paris [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; Henry Walters, Baltimore, 1925, by purchase; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.

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