group includes oblong casket in slightly bombé shape with shaped corners and a key; contains 8 glass bottles with gold lids; decoration on box shows scenes from legends of the miracles of St, Nicolas of Myra

Glass bottle, one of eight, c. 1745

Unknown artist, expand_more
Not on Viewexpand_more

The box is decorated with scenes from the life of St. Nicholas of Myra. This fourth century Greek bishop, who was the patron saint of children, sailors and travelers and the guardian of young women, was the forerunner of St. Nicholas or Father Christmas.

The gold scenes were applied in a piqué technique whereby thin sheets of gold are impressed into tortoiseshell which has been softened in boiling water and olive oil. Once the shell cools, it contracts and the gold is securely held in place. This technique was first introduced at the end of the sixteenth century in Naples, and by the following century it had spread to France, England and northern Europe, with Paris and Naples as the principal centers.

The costly and time-consuming nature of this intricate technique imply that it was used on only the most expensive small luxury items such as inkstands, trays, snuffboxes and boxes for toilet articles, in this case gold-mounted perfume bottles.

Details
Title
Glass bottle, one of eight
Role
Artist
Accession Number
85.81.5
Curator Approved

This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These 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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group includes oblong casket in slightly bombé shape with shaped corners and a key; contains 8 glass bottles with gold lids; decoration on box shows scenes from legends of the miracles of St, Nicolas of Myra