A SPANISH PARCEL-GILT PENDANT BOX AND COVER

APPARENTLY UNMARKED, EARLY 17TH CENTURY

Details

A SPANISH PARCEL-GILT PENDANT BOX AND COVER
APPARENTLY UNMARKED, EARLY 17TH CENTURY
Hexagonal, the applied openwork base with central boss, the sides applied with silver-gilt cherubs holding Instruments of the Passion, the applied columns between cast with demi-figures, the sides with scroll brackets linked to suspension chain, the detachable cover with applied shells at intervals and surmounted by a cockerel finial rising from openwork foliage
5½ in. (14 cm.) overall with chain
3 oz. (108 gr.)

Provenance

Sir Julius Wernher, 1st Bt. (1850-1912), Bath House, London, in the Red Room, by whom bequeathed, with a life interest to his widow,
Alice, Lady Wernher, subsequently Lady Ludlow (1862-1945), to their son
Sir Harold Wernher, 3rd Bt., G.C.V.O. (1893-1973), Bath House, London, and from 1948, Luton Hoo, Bedfordshire, and by descent.
The Wernher Collection; Christie's, London, 5 July 2000, lot 7.

Literature

1913 Bath House Inventory, p. 47, no. 253, in the Red Room, in the 'showcase to the right of the fireplace'.

Exhibited

Bedford, Cecil Higgins Museum, 1959-60.

Brought to you by

Arne Everwijn

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aeverwijn@christies.com +44 (0)20 7389 2453

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Lot Essay

It is possible, given the subject of the decoration, that this box was designed as a small pendant container for a relic connected with the Passion. The shells and cockerel on the cover are emblematic of Saint James of Compostela and Saint Peter respectively.

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