Writing Box 1897 - 1903

This bronze writing box was likely made in Florence, Italy. The box’s imagery tells us a lot about the ambitions and social status of its original owner. The Renaissance saw a revival of classical art and learning, and this box is a great example. We can see classical imagery in the figures riding mythological creatures and in the decorative wreaths. The coat-of-arms at the centre tells us that this box was likely made for a wealthy and powerful family. As a portable object, a box like this would have been a sign of sophistication and learning, associating its owner with the humanist values of the Renaissance. To fully understand an object like this, historians would consider many factors. Who was the likely owner of the box? How does it relate to the Medici patronage of the arts? By researching the context of this box, we can better understand the social world of Renaissance Italy.