German, Rhineland, 10th century

There is dirt and wear to the surface throughout and there are several distressed areas and areas of losses to the bone openwork veneer. Three bands around the edge of the lid are lost (and there are losses to the remaining band). Two of the upper corners of the box and all of the lower corners have losses. Some of the mounts and rivets have caused splitting to the bone. The iron mounts have some corrosion consistent with material. Some of the holes retain a horn panel, behind which small pieces of paper or vellum or gilding are preserved; most of these horn panels are lost and expose either the gilding or, in two instances, a piece of paper with a saint's name inscribed. There is some worming on the inside consistent with material and there are remnants of a fabric lining. There are several lumps of wax to the underside of the lid. The underside is composed of three panels, with one or two minor losses.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The present casket is part of an important early group of reliquary caskets dated between the 8th and 10th centuries. They seem to have survived in church treasuries alone, such as that of the Stift St. Peter in Salzburg and the Cathedral of Chur. The closest comparison, however, is in the St. Gereon church in Cologne. This casket has nearly identical biforcated iron mounts, similar bands of wave and ring-and-dot patterns and rows of circular holes flanked by bands of ring-and-dot decoration.

RELATED LITERATURE
A. Goldschmidt, Die Elfenbeinskulpturen aus der Zeit der karolingischen und sachsischen Kaiser. VIII.-XI. Jahrhundert, pp. 53-55, nos. 180-184, pl. LIV-LVIII