Box, silver mounted, with carved lid in patterns of mulberry leaves and berries with Shakespeare's coat of arms [realia].

[England] : [s.n.], [18th or 19th century]

1 box : mulberry tree wood ; approx. 2 in. tall, 6 3/4 in. wide, 3 3/4 in. deep.

wood

Shakespeare's coat of arms, carved into center of lid, is framed by raised bands (approximately 1/8") which form a square from which 6 additional raised bands extend geometrically to the front and back edges of the box. On each side of the coat of arms are 2 large stylized mulberry leaves. 3 stylized mulberries are carved above the arms. Incised at each corner are 3 small radiating leaves. Incised background is a speckled pattern. Bottom of box is made from a different wood, possibly oak. Silver mounts: 4 corner pieces at the base of the box; band rimming the lid; escutcheon framing keyhole; geometrical lock plate on lid. Box is lined with red velvet and is joined to lid with 2 silver hinges.

Certification: Mounted under lid is silver plaque with certification: This casket/which is formed of the wood of/Shakespeare's mulberry tree/was given me by my friend/Charles Kemble/on the 1st of January 1871. It originally belonged to Mr. Ward, his grandfather/from whom it successively descended/to his mother/to his brother John/ and to his sister Mrs. Siddons./William Harness.

Provenance: No case number and no purchase records. Not in Mrs. Folger's card file under Mulberry, Misc. Relics, or under names of former owners. No record in Ms. Catalog and no correspondence in Art Provenance Files under Misc. Curios. Note listed in Non-Book Accessions File or early records of gifts and purchases, Green Ledger: 1930-1937.

Wood no. 6

This record contains unverified data from a re-keying contract and may contain incorrect or incomplete text. Please consult Curator for assistance.

ART Inv. 1120