A Late 17th Century Filigree Casket converted into a Tea Caddy and another unconverted Coming up at Bonham's London

 

Post in preparation.

A Late 17th Century Silver Filigree Casket converted into a Tea Caddy in 1794.

5 Lateral Domes.

These Caskets with the 5 Longitudinal Domes form a subsection of this type of Casket.

I have made an in depth study on these domed caskets previous see my post on this type of casket.

https://antiqueeuropeanfiligree.blogspot.com/2023/04/some-photographs-of-domed-silver.html

https://antiqueeuropeanfiligree.blogspot.com/2023/01/spectacular-and-large-silver-gilt.html

Probably Netherlands.

Previously with Dealers A Aardewerk.

https://www.aardewerk.com/silver-archives/filigree-tea-chest-with-silver-caddies/

Extract from the website.

They suggest that the Casket was manufactured in Batavia.

It might be useful to see the hinges on the back for comparison.

I am not convinced.

I have published at some length on the subject of these caskets

The workmanship and techniques should be compared with those on The Khalili Casket, Thr Dresden Green Room Casket several of the Hermitage St Petersburg Pieces - especially the perfume burner and the William III writing Box, The Burghley House Filigree Temple

Reynier van Stapele was the scion of a Hague family of silversmiths. His grandfather François was recorded in the oath book in 1723. In 1757 Francois’s son Martinus followed; he died around 1805.

 He was married to Anna Maria de Haan, the daughter of the silversmith Reynier de Haan. They had at least one son, Reynier van Stapele, who made the fine interior for this filigree chest. He was recorded in the Hague oath book in 1788. At the beginning of his career, Reynier worked with his father under the name Martinus van Stapele and son. He had several important commissions, including the gold Communion set for St James the Greater’s church in The Hague. He died in 1795 when he was just thirty.

 

The Marks -

Both tea caddies are fully marked with the Dutch Lion, the city assay mark for The Hague, the date letter X for 1794 and the maker’s mark RVS above a pot for Reinier van Stapele.

 

Provenance-

Private collection The Netherlands

Collection A. Aardewerk 1993

Private collection Belgium.

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17th/18th Century Silver Filigree Casket with Five Lateral Domes.

three quarter engaged filigree columns on the corners

and shaped skirt.

By coincidence another of these caskets is coming up for sale at Bonham's Auctions, London.

Lot 128, 12 November 2024.

https://www.bonhams.com/auction/29724/lot/128/an-indo-portuguese-silver-filigree-casket-probably-goa-17th-century/

It has the usual catalogue entry describing the manufacture as Goa.

As we now know Bruno Miguel Crespo of Lisbon University assures me - there is not a shred of evidence of any filigree being manufactured in Goa.

Sizes - 19.9 x 12.2 x 12 cm. max.

The techniques used on the hinges and lock clasp in particular are close to the Khalili Cabinet, the Green Room Dresden Casket

See my essay in a previous post.

https://antiqueeuropeanfiligree.blogspot.com/2023/01/spectacular-and-large-silver-gilt.html

For other Gold and Silver Filigree Caskets with the Shaped Skirts see -

https://antiqueeuropeanfiligree.blogspot.com/2023/04/17th-18th-century-silver-filigree.html

Extract from Bonham's online catalogue.

included here for the references

A filigree casket in the Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga, Lisbon (inv. no. 114 illustrated below), with a cover of very similar form, has been dated to the seventeenth century (see Mughal Silver Magnificence, exhibition catalogue, Brussels, 1987, p. 152, no. 225). 

A further example in the Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga (inv. no. 384), illustrated in the same publication, features a similar clasp and lock system and was originally from a convent (op. cit p. 153, no. 227). 

For a comparable casket sold in these rooms, see Bonhams Islamic and Indian Art, 6 October 2015, lot 108

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The Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga, Lisbon Silver Filigree Casket.

Probably Netherlands

11.5 x 11  x 15.7 cms.

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         The Bonham's Five Lateral Domed Silver Filigree Casket referred to above.

17th/18th Century.

Probably Netherlands.

Sold - Lot 108 6 October 2015.

11.5 x 15.8 x 10 cm.

The feet are almost certainly missing.

https://www.bonhams.com/auction/22816/lot/108/an-indo-portuguese-silver-filigree-casket-probably-goa-western-india-17th-century/#!

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17th / 18th Century Silver Filigree Casket.

 As discussed this form of casket with either three or five lateral dome form a distinct sub type

 With a Five Lateral Domed Lid.

 Museo Filigrana Pietro Carlo Bosio. Campoliguri. Italy.

This image from the Museum facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/museodellafiligrana/photos/1546554862319900

 Base 7x11 cm; height 6,5 cms.

 The hinge attachments and the terminal finials have distinct similarities with the Khalili casket/casket.

I am unable to provide any further details as yet!

 

I have contacted the museum and am expecting further photographs and details in due course.

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For Good Measure - Here is the Green Room (Grunes Gowolbe), Dresden, Large Silver Filigree Casket with Two Drawers beneath.

Size 17.8 x  20 x 13.8 cms

First noted at Dresden in an inventory of 1717.

 

The hinges, feet and arabesque work are very similar to those on the Khalili casket.

 I tentatively suggest that they were manufactured in the same atelier.

 This casket is first mentioned in the inventory of Lichtenburg castle 1717, when it was in possession of Anna Sophia (the mother of Augustus the Strong):

 “4eckigtes silbernes Kästgen von durchbrochener Arbeit mit einem gewölbten Deckel, worinnen 2 Fächer“.

 

 With the establishment of the Green Vault as a treasury with public access under Augustus the Strong (1723-1729), the casket was transferred to the Preciosa Room of the collection in 1724.

 

Info courtesy Dirk Weber, Curator at the Green Room (Grunes Gwolbe) Dresden.

 I am extremely grateful to Dirk Weber for his very kind assistance and encouragement with this project.

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