About the Artwork
Two of the leading Baroque goldsmiths in Augsburg crafted this jewel casket, a visual tour de force of metalwork, tortoiseshell, and green-tinted ivory. The silver reliefs, which depict gods and goddesses from classical mythology and personifications of the four continents, are securely attributed to Johann Andreas Thelot, while most of the remaining metalwork on the casket, and its overall design, is attributed to Johann Valentin Gevers. Thelot and Gevers collaborated on this work with a cabinetmaker and perhaps even a third goldsmith. Such partnerships were common in Augsburg, the premier metalworking center in Germany from the last half of the sixteenth century through the eighteenth century, where extremely well-organized and specialized craftsmen frequently collaborated on prestigious or large and complex commissions.
Jewel Casket
ca. between 1700 and 1710
Johann Andreas Thelot (Artist) German, 1655-1734 Johann Valentin Gevers (Artist) German, 1662-1737
Silver, silver gilt, tortoiseshell, and green-tinted ivory on wood carcass
Overall: 12 1/4 × 18 1/2 × 15 inches (31.1 × 47 × 38.1 cm)
Furniture Accessories
European Sculpture and Dec Arts
Museum Purchase, European Sculpture and Decorative Arts General Fund and funds from Mr. and Mrs. Raymond M. Cracchiolo, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Larson, The Stoddard Family Foundation, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Gabrys, Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Gargaro, Lila and Gilbert Silverman, The Visiting Committee for European Sculpture and Decorative Arts, Robert Jacobs, Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Aronoff, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Brodie, Vivian Day and John Stroh, Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Eisenberg, Mr. and Mrs. Jerry D'Avanzo, Mr. and Mrs. Erwin S. Simon, Mr. and Mrs. Loren Tibbitts, Andrew L. and Gayle Shaw Camden, Rebecca and Gerhardt Hein, Lova Khoram, Charlotte Robson, Mr. and Mrs. Victor Tahill, Deborah Thompson, and Mrs. Edward J. Tutag
2005.22
This work is in the public domain.
Markings
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Provenance
(J. Kugel Antiquaires, Paris, France)
2005-present, purchase by the Detroit Institute of Arts (Detroit, Michigan, USA)
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Provenance pageExhibition History
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The exhibition history of a number of objects in our collection only begins after their acquisition by the museum, and may reflect an incomplete record.
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Darr, Alan. P. and Brian Gallagher. "Recent acquisitions (2000-2006) of European sculpture and decorative arts at The Detroit Institute of Arts." The Burlington Magazine 149, no. 1251 (June 2007): p. 451, pl. VI (ill.).
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Credit Line for Reproduction
attributed to Johann Andreas Thelot; attributed to Johann Valentin Gevers, Jewel Casket, ca. between 1700 and 1710, silver, silver gilt, tortoiseshell, and green-tinted ivory on wood carcass. Detroit Institute of Arts, Museum Purchase, European Sculpture and Decorative Arts General Fund and funds from Mr. and Mrs. Raymond M. Cracchiolo, et al., 2005.22.
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