Marriage casket with romance scenes

Embriachi Workshop

Probably Venice, Italy

Around 1400–30

Bone

165 x 126 x 193 mm

The Embriachi family ran a successful workshop in Venice, supplying European elites with luxury items made from animal bone, usually horse or ox. Caskets like these were probably bridal gifts. This one is decorated with near-identical pairs of lovers. On the lid winged figures carry shields once painted with coats of arms. On the back another two hold a marriage wreath.

Mark Gambier-Parry bequest, 1966

Photo Ⓒ The Courtauld