Book Box
Unknown Artist
15th century
Medium
Cuir bouilli (tooled leather), polychromy
Dimensions
Overall: 6 3/8 x 6 1/2 x 1 3/4in. (16.2 x 16.5 x 4.4cm)
Classification
Leatherwork
Culture
Italian
Department
Medieval Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Mrs. Harry G. Friedman, 1952
Accession Number
52.131a, b
Tags
About this artwork
This leatherwork from Italian, dating to 15th century, provides valuable insight into the artistic practices and material culture of its era. Created in cuir bouilli (tooled leather), polychromy, this work embodies the material practices and technical knowledge of its era. Artists' choices of materials reflected both practical availability and symbolic associations, with different media carrying distinct cultural meanings and artistic possibilities. Understanding historical techniques and materi...