Casket for a Royal Seal

Casket - Styles and Influences

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Casket for a Royal Seal
Cologne; ca. 1165

Made in Cologne around 1165, the casket reflects all the characteristics of the style of the famous town workshops. The rectangular casket stands on four legs formed as stylized paws positioned at the corners. The surface is entirely decorated with intertwining foliate scrolls made in Braunfirnis. This technique consisted of covering the copper surface with linen oil. When heated the oil evaporated leaving a brown residue which the artist then partially removed forming an ornamental decoration.