19th-Century Gothic Revival Reliquary Casket With Silk Interior

Details

Description

A museum-worthy 19th-century Gothic Revival casket of exceptional craftsmanship, believed to originate from Austria or Northern Italy and imported to … Read more A museum-worthy 19th-century Gothic Revival casket of exceptional craftsmanship, believed to originate from Austria or Northern Italy and imported to New York during the late 1800s. This architectural box was retailed by E.J. Morrison of 859 Broadway, New York, a noted importer of fine European trimmings and millinery goods. The original trade label, still intact beneath the tufted silk panel, offers a rare and tangible link to its historical context—adding both charm and collector value.

Constructed from wood and clad in hand-applied repoussé and punched metalwork, the box features a stepped lid adorned with pierced battlements, miniature finials, and intricate floral and geometric designs. The sides are decorated with pharaoh-style busts, lion-head ring pulls, and Renaissance portrait medallions—blending Gothic, Egyptian Revival, and Romantic Historicist styles into a single ornate statement piece.

The interior is lined with deep red satin, including a tufted inner lid with its original silk ribbon grid. A small upper compartment with two lidded sections adds further functionality and intrigue, suggesting this was once used to house fine jewelry, religious relics, or sentimental treasures.

This piece is a true conversation starter — perfect for collectors of rare antique boxes, Gothic Revival furnishings, or those curating a story-rich, romantic interior.

Key Features:

Circa 1870–1890, likely Austrian or Northern Italian

Imported to and retailed in New York by E.J. Morrison, 859 Broadway (label present)

Gothic Revival architecture with Orientalist and Renaissance detailing

Embossed metal sheeting over wood with hand-applied ornamentation

Red satin-lined interior with original ribboned document/letter panel

Hinged lid with upper compartment and chain support

Suitable for use as a jewelry box, reliquary, or statement decor piece See less