IDENTIFIERS
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id:	150666
accession number:	M.35 & A-1929

DATE AUDIT
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created:	Saturday 6 August 2011
updated:	Monday 29 April 2024

DESCRIPTIVE DATA
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object type: Boiled, stamped and engraved leather (cuir bouilli) case, with three internal compartments, probably for holding a knife, fork and spoon.  The domed pull-off lid and tapering body have two suspension loops on each side, through which a cord would have been threaded.  The case is decorated with borders of scrolling foliage on a matted ground, diaperwork and an oval cartouche containing  pseudo armorials of a tree.
object type: boiled leather case for holding cutlery; decorated with stamped and engraved borders and an oval cartouche containing a tree
title:	cutlery case

NOTES
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type: history note
value: from the Fitzhenry Collection, and later the Spitzer Collection


LICENSING
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text license status:	CC0
image license status:	CC-BY-NC-SA

OWNERSHIP
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instutition: The Fitzwilliam Museum
department: Applied Arts
creditline: Given by W.E Miller

STABLE URL
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url:	https://data.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/id/object/150666





TECHNIQUES
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There is much conjecture on how 'boiled leather' or 'cuir bouilli' was made and whether the leather was boiled in water.  The most popular theory is the one suggested in 'La Grande Encyclopedie (Paris 1887-1905) in which: 'pieces of leather must be boiled in wax mixed with resin and glue.  Once boiled in this manner, the leather preserves, whilst it is moist, sufficient pliability to enable it to be moulded, and when it is dry it possess a hardness and rigidity nearly equal to that of wood to which it is preferable by reason of its lightness.'  The stamped and engraved decoration would have been added before the leather was dried.
cuir bouilli

CATEGORIES
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category: boxes

DATING
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creation date:	1550 - 1650
creation date earliest:	1550
creation date latest:	1650
culture:	16th Century, Mid-17th Century

CREATORS
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maker: Unknown

DIMENSIONS
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dimension: Height
units: cm
value: 5

dimension: Length
units: cm
value: 24.5

dimension: Width
units: cm
value: 6.6



CITATIONS
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Leather in Life, Art and Industry
Conservation of Leather and Related Materials
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