Current Location: In storage
Maker(s)
Maker:
Unknown
Entities
Categories
Description
Boiled leather case for holding instruments with five internal compartments; decorated with stamped and engraved borders
Boiled, stamped and engraved leather (cuir bouilli) case, with five internal compartments. The pull-off lid and slightly fluted 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.
Legal notes
Given by W.E Miller, Esq.
Measurements and weight
Height: 4.2 cm
Length: 17.0 cm
Width: 5.5 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
Components of the work
Interior
composed of
wood?
Surface
composed of
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.
Inscription or legends present
- Text: 104
- Location: Onthe bezel
- Method of creation: Rectangular label, written in black ink, and stuck with glue
- Type: Paper label
- Text: 2284
- Location: Inside the lid
- Method of creation: Rectangular label, printed in black ink, and stuck with glue
- Type: Paper label
- Text: 37/29 / 5
- Location: The string tied to the lid, but the label inside the case
- Method of creation: Rectangular green tag, written in black ink
- Type: Paper tie on label
References and bibliographic entries
Identification numbers
Accession number: M.37 & A-1929
Primary reference Number: 150668
Stable URI
Audit data
Created: Saturday 6 August 2011
Updated: Tuesday 11 August 2015
Last processed: Thursday 7 December 2023
Associated departments & institutions
Owner or interested party:
The Fitzwilliam Museum
Associated department:
Applied Arts
