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Lot Essay
In her recent publication on the painted enamels of the Wallace Collection (loc. cit.), Suzanne Higgott summarises the discussion of a group of over 20 similar caskets, of which the present example is one. Formerly given to the Limoges enameller Couly Nouailher, this attribution is now being questioned by scholars who have not, to date, reached a consensus as to who might be responsible for the distinctive subject and painting style of the enamel plaques.
The caskets in the group all have a closely similar overall form, with variations to the gilt-copper carcase which include different handles feet and lock-plates, The enamels all portray putti playing in a landscape, often with different attributes and with abbreviated inscriptions in gold lettering which are often difficult to decipher. The plaques can have a blue, black or red ground.
The existence of locks on many of the caskets suggests that they were intended to contain precious items, and the existence of inscriptions on several of the caskets discussing gifts has led Higgott to suggest that they may have been intended as jewel boxes, given on the occasion of a wedding or betrothal. Other examples, including the present lot, have classical military motifs and have inscriptions which appear to refer to the boldness of youth. These, alternatively, may have been given on the birth of a son.
The beauty of this casket is matched by its illustrious provenance. Although its early history - as recorded in the catalogue of Alfred de Rothschild's collection (loc. cit., see provenance) - is undocumented, it does seem likely that the casket was purchased from the Canning family by Rothschild either directly or through an intermediary. A British politician and member of the banking dynasty in the 19th century, Rothschild bequeathed it at his death in 1918 to Almina, Countess of Carnarvon, the aristocratic society hostess who was widely recognised to be Rothschild's natural daughter.
The caskets in the group all have a closely similar overall form, with variations to the gilt-copper carcase which include different handles feet and lock-plates, The enamels all portray putti playing in a landscape, often with different attributes and with abbreviated inscriptions in gold lettering which are often difficult to decipher. The plaques can have a blue, black or red ground.
The existence of locks on many of the caskets suggests that they were intended to contain precious items, and the existence of inscriptions on several of the caskets discussing gifts has led Higgott to suggest that they may have been intended as jewel boxes, given on the occasion of a wedding or betrothal. Other examples, including the present lot, have classical military motifs and have inscriptions which appear to refer to the boldness of youth. These, alternatively, may have been given on the birth of a son.
The beauty of this casket is matched by its illustrious provenance. Although its early history - as recorded in the catalogue of Alfred de Rothschild's collection (loc. cit., see provenance) - is undocumented, it does seem likely that the casket was purchased from the Canning family by Rothschild either directly or through an intermediary. A British politician and member of the banking dynasty in the 19th century, Rothschild bequeathed it at his death in 1918 to Almina, Countess of Carnarvon, the aristocratic society hostess who was widely recognised to be Rothschild's natural daughter.