CHARLES II SATIN, VELVET, AND SEED PEARL NEEDLEWORK CASKET, CIRCA 1660 |

depicting scenes from the Book of Esther and pastoral scenes with animals, flowers and insects; worked in polychrome silk and metallic threads on white satin and decorated with seed pearls, the front with figures in raised work with painted wooden faces (restored); the back in satin and laid work; the casket with two doors and a hinged lid opening to reveal an arrangement of drawers and compartments with secret drawers and a later arrangement of mirror panels, lined in pink silk; the sides with later brass carrying handles and raised on brass bun feet; with a protective Perspex case

Philip Budrose, Marblehead, Massachusetts

In partially restored condition. General wear, losses and discolouration to silk and raised work throughout, consistent with age, and restoration to faces. Oxidation, losses and wear to metallic thread braid borders. Top lid with age warping, does not fully close, and two front doors also with warping and do close but not fully flush, visible in catalogue photos. One hinge for upper section is broken, the other still attached but damaged; hinges for the top lid are attached but loose. Upper interior section of lid with later pink silk lining, glass panels and marbled paper, with some staining and foxing; interior of top with inset mirror panel held by small metal brackets (one missing), very loose and easily becomes detached when opening and closing, plate with losses to silvering and foxing, and later pink silk. Interior of doors with wear and discolouration to pink velvet lining. Feet later.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

A similar casket depicting the story of Esther and King Ahasuerus was in the celebrated Percival D. Griffiths Collection, illustrated in Percy Macquoid and Ralph Edwards, The Dictionary of English Furniture, 2nd Edition (London 1954), Vol.I, Fig. 22, p.108.