Casket (cassetta)

Unknown

late 15th–early 16th century · Gesso on wood (pastiglia) · European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

The variety of fantastic ornament employed for the decoration of this casket was derived from Roman wall decoration. After centuries of burial, these decorations were revealed during the excavations of the Golden house of Nero in Rome, begun about 1480. As they were found underground in grotto-like spaces, they were named grottesche, or grotesques.

Artist

Unknown

Date

late 15th–early 16th century

Medium

Gesso on wood (pastiglia)

Culture

Italian, Ferrara

Department

European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Credit line

Rogers Fund, 1910