18th Century Gilt & Enamel Limoges Style Casket Box

A spectacular, finely decorated 18^th century gilt and enamel Limoges style casket box. Finished in gilt, this stunning casket box is enamelled with twelve saints, Salvator Mundi and the coat of arms of the Della Rovere family – likely in reference to the two Della Rovere popes who ruled from 1471 to 1503: Sixtus IV and Julius II – beneath which it is signed ‘L. Laudin’.

Sometimes referred to as reliquary caskets, ornate boxes such as this one were designed to hold sacred relics and holy items associated with saints. As such, they were intricately decorated both inside and out, this one with a simple catch revealing a hinged top and an inner fully lined with lavish fabric.

It is an excellent example of works by the Laudin family who dominated the production of painted enamel from Limoges, France in the 16^th, 17^th and early 18^th centuries. A long line of French enamellers, the Laudin dynasty was established by Noël I Laudin (1586-1681), continued by Jacques Laudin II (1627-1695) and Jacques II Laudin (1663-1729) and their families after them, becoming the last major enamellers at Limoges.

Bearing the signature ‘L. Laudin’, we believe this is one of the Laudin families later works, dating from the 18^th century.

Provenance: From the estate of Henry Lane Eno (1871-1928), thence by descent.