A DUTCH PARCEL-GILT FILIGREE MARRIAGE CASKET (KNOTTEKISTJE)

MID 17TH CENTURY

Details

A DUTCH PARCEL-GILT FILIGREE MARRIAGE CASKET (KNOTTEKISTJE)
MID 17TH CENTURY
Of trunk shape, filigree, parcel-gilt, on four gilt ball supports, all over decorated with scrolls, flowers and beads, each side of body and cover applied with a lion ring handle, the hinged cover with a shaped gilt swing handle, gilt borders along the edges, the base engraved with fruit and foliage ornaments centered by a plaquette showing an elegant couple, inscribed Getrou tot Iin der dooet Anno 16, apparently unmarked
3 5/8 in. (8 cm.) long; 4 oz.(132 gr.)

Provenance

Christie's, Amsterdam, 16 November 1999, lot 638
Kenneth Davis Ltd., London
Christie's, New York, 26 October 2006, lot 7

If you wish to view the condition report of this lot, please sign in to your account.

View condition report

Lot Essay

Since the early 17th century it became a tradition that a man proposed his beloved to marry him by presenting her with a coin knotted into a costly cloth, called 'knottedoek.' If the girl drew the knot tighter, they considered themselves engaged. Later in the 17th century, the cloth was replaced by a silver casket, called 'knottekist'. Three common types exist: trunk, hexagonal and circular shaped; many of them delicately engraved with symbolic love and marriage scenes.

More from Important English, Continental and American Silver

View All