An extremely rare James II Spice Casket made circa 1685, maker's mark of SI with a star below.
An extremely rare James II Spice Casket made circa 1685, maker's mark of SI with a star below.
375490
The Casket is broad rectangular in form, with slightly domed hinged cover, and stands on four bun feet. The sides are engraved with foliate scroll work, with unusual roundels above. The cover is also engraved with foliate scrolls and flower heads within an acanthus spear frame. The centre of the cover displays a very unusual depiction of Mother Earth holding the flower heads, with a basket of fruit above. The cover is applied with a baluster handle. This piece is in excellent condition and has a steel latch and can be opened by pushing in the small round release catch on the front side. The inside of the base is marked with the maker's mark of SI, with a star below. Spice Caskets are extremely rare, although some have been noted. The manufacture, and engraving, has been executed to the highest standard. As you will appreciate, it would have been an important, and wealthy, individual who would have carried their spices around in such a container. Two of these caskets were contained in the World Famous Lion Collection. Due to their rarity one was placed on the front cover of the catalogue, and the second is item number 42 in the collection.
Length: 1.9 inches, 4.75 cm.
Width: 1.45 inches, 3.63 cm.
Height: 0.9 inches, 2.25 cm.
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