1986.012.0001
Brazier Lid
Physical Object
1986.012.0001
Nuestra Señora de Atocha (1622)
circa 1600
Cast silver. Large molded-rectangular form and flat-chased with a conforming outer border of alternating pierced ovals and rectangles interspersed at the centers with stylized fanshells, the raised center pierced and chased with interlacing open scrollwork and surmounted by a handle mount (handle absent). Note: Braziers are heating receptacles for burning charcoal, and in the Seventeenth century they were found principally in the East and Southern Europe. Although a variation of this form is still in use in Spain and Northern Africa, very few braziers of this type have survived their Eighteenth century fall from favor and consequent relative obscurity. The exceptional chasing, cartouche work and sheer silver weight of this example are remarkable. .