Casket, circa 1620
Barniz de pasto
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The front of the box is decorated with a pair of crowned human heads with winged animal bodies depicting birds amidst a profuse array of leaves and exotic flowers, plant fiber scrolls, bunches of leaves, various species of butterflies with delicately colored wings and petals,three headed birds, carnations and pomegranates.
The back of the box has a amazing unicorn in the center between two storks. The unicorn is looking at one of them, while the birds look at the unicorn with wonder. In the bottom left and right corners are black hybrid pig-like figures surrounded by birds, flowers and butterflies. The sides have a young green fawns sitting on the ground surrounded by birds of paradise, flowers and colorful butterflies.
The domed lid has the most spectacular exotic winged human head with a winged body and two graceful deer smelling flowers, surrounded by this vibrant scenery of wild flora and fauna, including herons and flamingos. On the sides of the lid are leaping red squirrels. The lustrous gold effect on this box was created using gold and silver foils which were combined with underneath layers of mopa mopa resin. Delicate incisions highlight and emphasize the motifs, adding soft shadows.
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