An Alhambra style, gold overlaid, casket (Toledo workshop) 19th century, 1870 BCE - 1900 BCE
11.4 x 7.6 x 6.3 cm
4 1/2 x 3 x 2 1/2 in
4 1/2 x 3 x 2 1/2 in
MS.1307
Further images
A stunning jewellery casket on four feet realised in the 19th century in Toledo. Damascening is the inlaying different metals into one another —typically, gold or silver are inlaid into...
A stunning jewellery casket on four feet realised in the 19th century in Toledo. Damascening is the inlaying different metals into one another —typically, gold or silver are inlaid into a darkly oxidized steel background—to produce intricate patterns, much similar to the technique of niello. In this case the decoration consists in a number of panels bearing floral and geometric decorations reminiscent of the intricate architectural details of the 19th century restoration of the Alhambra. In particular, the front of the casket displays a stunning "mirador", a room projecting from the exterior commanding scenic views of gardens or of the city, along with vegetal arabesque motifs and interlacing rhombus-like motifs known as "sebka".