ticketsMember | Make a donation

Filigree Casket with Sliding Top

17th century
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 463
While filigree was an established tradition in the Deccan in the middle ages, with the cultural presence of the Portuguese in the 16th century, Deccani craftsmen were exposed to a new wave of objects, which were imported from Europe. Finely drawn wires of gold and silver filigree were shaped into a variety of scrolling forms, including the buta, or flame motif, which even is present on the ornamented interior of this object. The lid of this box contains a secret compartment which slides open to hide a prized object, possibly the key.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Filigree Casket with Sliding Top
  • Date: 17th century
  • Geography: Made in India, probably Goa
  • Medium: Silver filigree; parcel-gilt
  • Dimensions: H. 5. 1/8 in. (13 cm)
    W. 5 1/8 in. (13 cm)
    D. 3 9/16 in. (9 cm)
  • Classification: Metal
  • Credit Line: Purchase, Friends of Islamic Art Gifts, 2014
  • Object Number: 2014.253
  • Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

More Artwork

More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Goa Stone and Gold Case, Container: gold; pierced, repoussé, with cast legs and finials<br/>Goa stone: compound of organic and inorganic materials
Goa Stone and Gold Case
late 17th–early 18th century
Footed Bowl and Plate, Glass, opalescent white; blown, bowl with applied stem and blown applied foot, fired silver and gold decoration
Footed Bowl and Plate
first half 18th century
Flower-Style Box with Drawers, Wood (poplar); overlaid with ebony inlaid with wood and incised, stained ivory
Flower-Style Box with Drawers
17th century
Finial in the Form of a Parrot, Brass
Finial in the Form of a Parrot
17th–18th century
"Shah Jahan on a Terrace, Holding a Pendant Set With His Portrait", Folio from the Shah Jahan Album, Chitarman Indian, Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
"Shah Jahan on a Terrace, Holding a Pendant Set With His Portrait", Folio from the Shah Jahan Album
Chitarman
recto: dated 1627–28; verso: ca. 1530–50

Related Content

Perspectives

Articles, audio, and video from The Met's online magazine.

Publications

Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.