Scissors Case (Etui)
Unknown Artist
c.1690
Medium
silver
Dimensions
8.6 × 4.5 cm
Classification
Silver
Department
Decorative Art and Design
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Gift of Dr. Emil Delmar
Accession Number
1953.632
About this artwork
Attached to a belt loop, silver scissor cases were practical fashion accessories. Intricately designed and expensively produced, they demonstrated the wealth of a wearer. Cases like this one were often decorated with motifs of love and given as traditional wedding or engagement gifts. On one side of this case, two putti raise a heart above their heads, on the other they defend it with a pair of crossed spears.