"The Solomon's History Casket"
A Renaissance Embroidered 'Cassette de Nuit'

Parisian workshop based on designs by Bernard Salomon, 

c. Late 16th century (1553 for the engraved models).

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Petit point embroidery with wool, silk, and gold and silver metallic threads on canvas; damask; brass; wooden core.

 

The four sides and the lid are entirely covered with petit point embroidery, depicting five scenes from the Story of Moses (Exodus). These scenes replicate vignettes by Bernard Salomon (circa 1508-1551), which were engraved for the "Quadrins Historiques de la Bible" by Claude Paradin, published by Jean de Tournes in Lyon in 1553. Widely distributed, they significantly influenced the decorative arts in the second half of the 16th century. They were well known to French workshops in the fields of ceramics, painted enamel, and textiles.

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Provenance :

-  Private Collection.

- Acquired by the musée national de la Renaissance, Ecouen

 

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