Gothic pearwood betrothal casket or Minnekästchen. Upper Rhine,circa 1500

A Gothic pearwood betrothal casket known as a Minnekästchen.

Upper Rhine, circa 1500.

Measures 24 x 16 x 11cm.

The brass bound casket is extensively carved with concentric circles, stylised flowers and stars, each framed with repeating chip carved friezes.

Used to hold jewelry and other personal items, Minnekästchen were frequently exchanged as gifts between lovers or betrothed couples.

The final two images are of a photograph from the collection of the Victorian and Albert Museum, London, it is catalogued as: Photograph of three 15th and 16th century caskets. These objects are from the collection of the Germanisches Nationalmuseum in Nürnberg, Accession Number: 73610.