Artist: Unknown; Date(s): circa 1100 - circa 1200; Classification(s): sculpture, rosette casket, carving, casket of wood with ivory plaques fixed with bone pegs; Acquisition: bequeathed by McClean, Frank, 1904, McClean Bequest [M.18-1904]
Description: Casket of wood covered with ivory plaques fixed with bone pegs. The casket is rectangular with a projecting moulding round the base. The lid has a low rectangular truncated pyramid in the middle surrounded by a flat border. Each side of the casket is decorated with two sunk panels, each carved with a beast (four of griffins, two of lions, and two of bears) , framed by narrow plaques carved with formal rosettes. The sunk panels are flanked by narrow strips of polychrome intarsia work. The lid has a rectangular panel carved with a lion and a griffin confronted and two pairs of acanthus scrolls. The border is carved with scrolling foliage and bunches of grapes.
