Box

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This inlaid walnut box was probably made in Spa in Belgium. It dates from around 1680.

The box is inlaid with mother-of-pearl and brass with floral designs, insects and medallions. It has an engraved brass lock plate and key.

Many late 17th century souvenirs were decorated with mother-of-pearl. An early set of bellows decorated with mother-of-pearl is dated 1658, which suggests that this type of decoration was well developed by the late 1650s.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-180-001-996-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland Part 2
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  A.1921.1170 A
• Date: Around 1680
  c. 1700
  
• Material: Key, box
  
• Dimensions:
• What: Key, box
  
• Subject: Woodwork : caskets and boxes
  
• Who:
• Where: Netherlands
  
• Event:
• Description: Key for a rectangular box of walnut wood inlaid with mother-of-pearl and brass: probably Dutch, c. 1700
  
• References:
  • Evans, G. Souvenirs From Roman Times to the Present Day. Edinburgh: NMS Publishing Ltd, 1999, pp 10-11. 
• Translations:
• Related Records: