IT is hugely important when considering the case of the Newbattle Casket to realise that in the fullest sense of the word, this stunning creation was never really Scottish, at least not in way we understand our heritage and patrimony.
It is a beautiful thing which was made in 1565 during the German part of the Renaissance movement across Europe.
READ MORE: Newbattle Casket now free to leave UK after export ban ends
The casket features engraved ivory and bone panels and gilded metalwork and is believed to be one of the earliest known pieces of German “Kunstkammer” furniture in existence.
The Kunstkammer or “cabinet of curiosities” first emerged in the 16th century to showcase precious, rare and exotic objects to display the owner’s status and scholarship. The casket is a rare, dated example and would have formed part of a prestigious collection.
It was first mentioned as being in Britain after the House of Hanover came to the throne of the newly-minted United Kingdom in 1714 and it only came to Scotland in 1735, apparently as a wedding present given to the fourth Marquess of Lothian when he married Lady Caroline Darcy, granddaughter of the casket’s then owner the Duke of Schoenberg.
Not an original Scottish treasure, so maybe it should return to Germany.
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