An early German silver casket with the arms of Brunswick and Lüneburg

of oblong form, the lid engraved with the arms of  Brunswick and Lüneburg and inscribed V.(on) G.(ottes) G.(nade): E.(rnst) H.(erzog) Z.(=II) B.(raunschweig) V.(nd) L.(üneburg) and Z.(u) G*(ott) M*(ein) H*(offnung), the sides engraved with arabesques and swags between moulded borders, bracket feet

Provenance:
Ernest II Duke of Brunswick- Lüneburg in Calenberg (1564-1611)

Exhibited:
The Brunswick Art Treasures, Victoria & Albert Museum, London, 1952, case D

Literature:
Exhibition of, The Brunswick Art Treasures, Victoria & Albert Museum, London, 1952, introduction p. 2

This fine early example of a casket belonged to Ernest II, Duke of Brunswick and Lüneburg in Calenberg (1564-1611). He was the son of William Duke of Brunswick and Lüneburg and in Lüneburg (1535-1592) and by his wife Dorothea Oldenburg, Princess of Denmark and Duchess of Brunswick-Lüneburg (1546-1617). Ernest II was born on 31 December 1564 and died on 2 March 1611 aged 46. He gained the title of Herzog von Braunschweig-Lüneburg in 1592.

After the death of his father in August 1592, he and his bothers agreed in September that the eldest son, Ernest II (1564-1611) should take over the reign for eight years. After this arrangement had been extended tacitly, on 3 December 1610 it was confirmed by passing the resolution of the indivisibility of the principality of Lüneburg. After the death of Ernest II in 161, his brother Christian Duke of Brunswick and Lüneburg and in Grubenhagen (1566-1633) took over the reign.

The casket is mentioned in the earliest preserved inventory of the Royal silver vault in Hanover of 1747. Although earlier specifications had existed, as belonging to the church silver of George William (1624-1705). The detailed descriptions of the inventory of 1880 show a casket of Ernest II Duke of Brunswick- Lüneburg (1564-1611)

The inventory of 1747 and of 1880, the casket is mentioned, entitled: KÖNIGL. UND CHURFÜRSTL. HOFF-SILBER-INVENTARIUM HANNOVER ANNO 1747 (Niedersächsisches Landesarchiv-Hauptstaatsarchiv Hannover, Dep. 103, XXI, Nr. 682)

Vollständiges Hoff-Silber-Inventarium enthaltend Seiner Königl. Majestaet unsers Allergnädigsten Herrn sämtliches Gold- und Silber-Gerähte so bey Königl. und Churfürstl. Silber-Cammer zu Hannover vorhanden.
Aus dem Inventario de Anno 1728, dem Adistamento de Anno 1730, und Inventario de Anno 1739.
Zusammengetragen und mit den Vermehr- und Ver-änderungen geschlossen […]bi Johannis 1747
durch den Ober-Hoff-Commissarium Friderich August Bartels. Hannover.

[p. 121]
Von des Hochseel. Hertzogs Georg Wilhelm von Zelle Verlassenschaft Von 12 Löhtigem Gehalt 

unverguldet
1 Oblaten-Kästgen, mit dem Braunschw. Lüneb. Wapen 10 Mark ¾ Loth          [1880 Service L 33]

Königliches Hof-Silber-Inventarium, I. Band (Niedersächsisches Landesarchiv-Hauptstaatsarchiv Hannover, Dep. 103, XXI, Nr. 711, Bd. I)
Inventarium über die auf Königlicher Hof-Silber-Cammer befindlichen Silber-, Silbervergoldeten und Massivgoldenen Geräthe. Nach Revision des alten Inventars aufgestellt im Jahre 1880

[Folio 20]
33.    1 Oblaten-Kästchen, unvergoldet,
          Braunschweig-Lüneburgisches Wappen und den
          Buchstaben V.G.G.E.H.Z.B.U.L.-Z.G.M.H.
          10-12/16 Loth