woodcut in black, hand colored with brush, stencil and watercolor on laid paper, mounted on the inside cover of a coffer, constructed of wood and iron; cover with nine iron fittings, hinges, a lock and hidden compartment on the top of the cover; dark brown/black patina on exterior; unfinished wood at interior; woodcut is image of the Annunciation, with Mary at left wearing maroon dress and red cloak, looking at a book on a stand; angel at right wearing a blue gown and red cloak with yellow trim, carrying a staff; dove between figures; interior with arches and green columns; text at bottom; latches have vertical leaf designs; fittings on front are openwork with leaf-like and heart motifs; received without a key

Coffer with print of "The Annunciation", c. 1490–1500

After the Master of the Very Small Hours of Anne of Brittany (Jean d'Ypres?)expand_more

Woodcut in black, hand colored with brush, stencil, and watercolor on laid paper, wood, iron, leatherexpand_more

The Ethel Morrison Van Derlip Fundexpand_more  2016.14

Not on Viewexpand_more

In its day, this leather-covered coffer had straps and was carried as a shoulder bag or traveling case. Once open, it sheds light on an important use of early prints: a fifteenth-century hand-colored woodcut of the Annunciation is pasted inside the cover of the large compartment, transforming this wooden box into a portable altar. There is a second shallow “secret” compartment in the lid, which might have been used to store traveling papers, valuables, or even relics or a consecrated host. Just over a hundred such boxes survive, all dating between 1480 and 1510, all French, and all likely produced in Paris.

The Master of the Very Small Hours of Anne of Brittany ran a flourishing workshop in Paris, producing tapestry designs, stained glass, illuminations, and woodcuts.

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Details
Title
Coffer with print of "The Annunciation"
Artist Life
active 1490–1508
Role
Artist
Accession Number
2016.14
Provenance
Private collection, Burgundy, France (c. 1815-2015; sold to Les Enluminares); (Les Enluminares, Paris, New York, Chicago, 2015-16); sold to MIA, 2016.
Curator Approved

This record is from historic documentation and may not have been reviewed by a curator, so may be inaccurate or incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.

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woodcut in black, hand colored with brush, stencil and watercolor on laid paper, mounted on the inside cover of a coffer, constructed of wood and iron; cover with nine iron fittings, hinges, a lock and hidden compartment on the top of the cover; dark brown/black patina on exterior; unfinished wood at interior; woodcut is image of the Annunciation, with Mary at left wearing maroon dress and red cloak, looking at a book on a stand; angel at right wearing a blue gown and red cloak with yellow trim, carrying a staff; dove between figures; interior with arches and green columns; text at bottom; latches have vertical leaf designs; fittings on front are openwork with leaf-like and heart motifs; received without a key

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