Coffret

Unknown

late 15th century · Maple · The Cloisters

Used to hold jewelry and other personal items, Minnekästchen were frequently exchanged as gifts between lovers or betrothed couples. This example is fancifully decorated on the lid with an elephant bearing a howdah; on the front a maiden and a unicorn flank a founatin, and drolleries with musical instruments decorate the side and back panels.

Artist

Unknown

Date

late 15th century

Medium

Maple

Culture

German

Department

The Cloisters

Credit line

The Cloisters Collection, 1955