Side view of enameled casket with Old Testament Subjects

Back view of enameled casket with Old Testament Subjects

Front view of enameled casket with Old Testament Subjects

Casket: Old Testament Subjects

Pierre Courteys (French, ca. 1520–ca. 1586)

Datemid-16th century

MediumEnamel on copper with gilt-metal frame

Dimensions8 5/16 × 9 13/16 × 6 1/4 in. (21.1 × 24.9 × 15.9 cm)

Credit LineHenry Clay Frick Bequest

Accession number1916.4.33

Commentary

Pierre Courteys’s dark palette and stern figures set a sober tone for these eight Old Testament scenes. The night sky separates the Falling of Quails in the Desert from the Gathering of Manna, seen on the front and back of the curved lid. Themes concerning Moses join these episodes to the main scenes at front and back: the Feast of the Passover in Egypt and Shaphan reading to King Josiah from the Book of the Law of the Lord given by Moses. Various biblical episodes decorate the two ends.

Source: Wardropper, Ian and Julia Day. Limoges Enamels at The Frick Collection. New York: The Frick Collection/D Giles Limited, 2015.

Collection History

J. Pierpont Morgan, London and New York. Duveen. Frick, 1916.

Source: Enamels, Rugs and Silver in The Frick Collection. Volume VIII. New York: The Frick Collection, 1977.

Not On View

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Enamels