Antique Dutch Silver Marriage Box

Object Description

A 17th century silver casket of traditional rectangular trunk form having a domed top with swing handle. The openwork cast body is smothered in flower heads and scrolling foliage. Bold flowers, including poppies, tulips and daffodils were very popular during the mid to late 17th century. The hand chasing is excellent. The body stands on four little ball and claw feet and has a front locking catch.
Weight 159 grams, 5.1 troy ounces.
Height 6.6cm (7.5cm with handle extended). Length 8.2cm. Depth 5cm.
Stamped inside on the base twice with a maker’s mark (bird?) unidentified.
Dutch.
Circa 1680.

Object Literature

A knottekistje or wedding casket is a small Frisian money casket usually made of silver. Traditionally, a man’s promise of marriage to his future bride was formal when he presented her with a coin knotted into a costly cloth (knottedoek). This later became a textile bag and then in the seventeenth century a silver casket (knottekistje). The boxes are usually rectangular with a semicircular lid and stand on ball feet although they also occur in the form of round or hexagonal boxes. They are often delicately engraved with symbolic scenes about love and marriage, sometimes accompanied by a proverb or motto.
Friesland is a province of the Netherlands located in the northern part of the country.

Object Condition

The little Dutch box is in good condition. The engraving still has good definition. The locking catch and hinge work well.
Please note that this item is not new and will show moderate signs of wear commensurate with age. Reflections in the photograph may detract from the true representation of this item.

Object Details