Iron mounted leather missal box

An iron mounted leather missal box.

French, late 15th century.

Measures 19 x 12.5 x 9cm.

The casket has an oak carcass, clad in leather and bound with iron straps, two iron latches secure the casket when closed. The casket remains in fine and original condition, retaining its original red stained vellum interior, there are minor patches to the leather exterior and some repairs to the metalwork as is to be expected.

Boxes or caskets, like this were created in France during the late 15th century to facilitate the movement of valuable objects, including missals, small illuminated books of prayers, money and jewellery. The four iron loops on the sides allow the casket to be strung on a leather belt and attached to a saddle or suspended inside another larger chest to ensure safe transport.

The technique of shaping leather was called ‘Cuir Bouilli’, which translates as boiled leather, it is the method used to shape and tool the leather onto the caskets oak carcass before binding it with iron.