A rare North Italian pastiglia casket, circa 1500The casket made of poplar wood with a fine stucco décor of white lead. The rectangular body mounted on four original feet with floral ornaments. A continuous border of acanthus leaves on the lower edge, above which a frieze with griffins and another frieze of foliage. Each side with a tableau depicting scenes from Roman history according to Titus Livius. The background gilt and finely chased. The lid with a continuous wreath of leaves and a central knob. Knocked, with minor defects here and there. The lock is missing. Dimensions 14 x 20 x 13 cm.A similar casket from the holdings of the Bayerisches Nationalmuseum is part of the cabinet of curiosities exhibition at Trausnitz Castle in Landshut.Condition: II -