Viennese parcel gilt silver, enamel, and crystal casket, rectangular form with carved rock crystal panels to the top, sides, and base depicting figures from Greek and Roman mythology and battle scenes, bordered by red-painted enamel plaques decorated with putti. Sides mounted with caryatid figures at each corner atop four caryatid griffin feet, joined by bands of foliate decoration; the lids with dimensional rosettes at each corner. Austrian Diana head hallmark to the inner box rim with maker’s initials IW or JW. 4″ H x 5 1/4″ W x 4 1/4″ D. Circa 1872-1922. Provenance: The collection of Gary Glesser of Loudon, Tennessee, by descent from his grandparents, Captain Hoyt and Rachel Holton of Toledo, Ohio. Hoyt Holton became, at age 17, the youngest captain of a Great Lakes Freighter. In the 1960s, Captain Holton participated in a 26-day Admiral Byrd Society trip replicating the explorer’s famous transpolar expedition, during which he met the Pope and Soviet Premier Nikita Kruschev. Many items in the collection were brought back as souvenirs from that journey and other frequent voyages.

PROVENANCE: See description for provenance information.

CONDITION: Some wear to gilding and oxidation to silver. We have not attempted to clean the silver-gilt elements. Break to one petal of one flower on lid corner.