Instrument case: M.38 & A-1929

Current Location: In storage

Maker(s)

Entities

Description

Rectangular, boiled leather case; the front and back panels stamped and engraved with masks of cherubs and pseudo armorials in a laurel wreath cartouche

Boiled, stamped and engraved leather (cuir bouilli) case. Rectangular with pull-off lid. The shallow sides each have five suspension loops. The panels on the front and back are decorated with pseudo armorials in a laurel wreath cartouche, trophies of war, masks of cherubs and either a skull and crossbones or a snail.

Legal notes

Given by W.E Miller

Measurements and weight

Height: 3.8 cm
Length: 17.2 cm
Width: 5.7 cm

Acquisition and important dates

Method of acquisition: Given (1929-10-31) by Miller, W. E.

Dating

16th Century, Mid-17th Century#
1550 - 1650

School or Style

European

People, subjects and objects depicted

Materials used in production

Leather

Techniques used in production

Cuir bouilli : 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.