Matthew Barton Ltd.
Lot 113
A SILVER FILIGREE CASKET, PROBABLY INDO-PORTUGUESE, GOA, 17TH/18TH CENTURY rectangular, entirely composed of panels and borders of fine scroll filigree, the lid with rotating button clasp and twin hinges with openwork scroll leaves, interior with simple dividing bar, feet and handle to lid lacking 15.5cm wide, 745gr (24oz) There is a similar but larger casket in the Nasser D. Khalili Collection of Islamic Art, Inv. No.283 (illustrated in J.M. Rogers, The Arts of Islam, Treasures from the Nasser D. Khalili Collection, Sydney, 2007, p.242) and another comparable casket in the Museo Nacional de Arte Antiga, Lisbon (Inv. No.67, Gift of J. Kugel, 1953). Also see Sotheby`s, London, 24 April 2013, lot 221 and Mallam`s, Oxford, 9 November 2011, lot 255 for further similar caskets. Given the strong trade links of Europe`s East India companies between Canton, Macau, Batavia and Goa, there is some uncertainty about the centre of manufacture of these caskets, but such fine filigree is generally attributed to Gujarati craftsmen in Goa, who had a long-standing tradition in such work. Some of these caskets still retain rectangular containers, perhaps for tea.
