This casket, decorated with coral, mother-of-pearl and precious stones, originally contained letters or jewels. Leaf-shaped golden mounts and thin tortoiseshell panels complete the decoration. The inside is lined with rich red velvet and there is a hidden compartment in the lid for secret letters.

 

 

The craftsmen of Trapani, on the island of Sicily, were famous for this type of work and often used the local supply of coral. This highly-decorated casket indicates the importance of the owners and perhaps shows what their house must have been like: very richly furnished. Three hundred years ago not everyone could read and write and letters were very precious items to be kept and cherished. The use of gold makes the item even grander. To have this object on display would have been a statement of taste and wealth.