Case

Art Historical Context

This elegant "Case" from late 18th-century Britain exemplifies the refined craftsmanship of Sheffield, a for innovative metalwork and silver production. Crafted from wood covered in shagreen—a textured stingray skin prized for its and exotic appeal—and accented with brass, the case measures a compact 12½ × 8 inches. Though its exact purpose remains a mystery (likely for housing silverware or personal items), its classification under metalwork-silver highlights Sheffield's mastery of techniques like Sheffield plate, where silver was fused to copper or brass bases for affordable luxury. In the ...