Lot Essay
Silver-gilt caskets, and indeed entire toilet services in the Charles II style, enjoyed considerable vogue during the early 1820s. For the most part they are based on the famous Calverley Service of 1683 (now in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London) and are set. like this example, with plaques depicting scenes from classical mythology or the Old Testament.
It has often been remarked that the decorative panels of putti amid scrolling foliage are derived from the designs of Polifilio Giancarli of about 1625 which were published in London in 1672 as A Book of Foldages. Similar foliate friezes, however, are found in a number of sources, most notably in the designs of Jean le Pautre published in 1660
Other caskets similar to this example include one sold by the Trustees of the Swinton Settled Estates, Christie's, London, November 26, 1975, lot 171, another sold in these Rooms, April 29, 1987, lot 271 and Sotheby's, London, June 20, 1974, lot 125.
It has often been remarked that the decorative panels of putti amid scrolling foliage are derived from the designs of Polifilio Giancarli of about 1625 which were published in London in 1672 as A Book of Foldages. Similar foliate friezes, however, are found in a number of sources, most notably in the designs of Jean le Pautre published in 1660
Other caskets similar to this example include one sold by the Trustees of the Swinton Settled Estates, Christie's, London, November 26, 1975, lot 171, another sold in these Rooms, April 29, 1987, lot 271 and Sotheby's, London, June 20, 1974, lot 125.