Coffer with print of -The Annunciation- c. 1490 - 1500
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toned paper
dark object
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unrealistic statue
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france
neutral brown palette
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This coffer, made in the late 15th century, is a fine example of Northern European craftsmanship and religious devotion. The intricate ironwork of the box is ornamented with engraved, foliate designs and hinges, creating a visually striking piece. Inside, the lid features a printed image of the Annunciation, a pivotal moment in Christian theology where the Angel Gabriel informs the Virgin Mary that she will bear the Son of God. This small, portable piece would likely have held devotional objects, reflecting the importance of personal prayer and faith in the era.
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In its day, this leather-covered coffer had straps and was carried as a shoulder bag or traveling case. Once open, it sheds light on an important use of early prints: a fifteenth-century hand-colored woodcut of the Annunciation is pasted inside the cover of the large compartment, transforming this wooden box into a portable altar. There is a second shallow “secret” compartment in the lid, which might have been used to store traveling papers, valuables, or even relics or a consecrated host. Just over a hundred such boxes survive, all dating between 1480 and 1510, all French, and all likely produced in Paris. The Master of the Very Small Hours of Anne of Brittany ran a flourishing workshop in Paris, producing tapestry designs, stained glass, illuminations, and woodcuts.
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