A fine Dutch silver-gilt casket

The Baroque design of this unusually large silver casket dated by Hendrick Barents (1610-1669) incorporates different styles fashionable at the time. The monster-like grotesque figures featuring as feet and corner decorations on the cover reflect the influence of the Zwolle silversmith Arent van Bolten (ca. 1573- before 1633). They seem to act as watchmen over the sleeping putto on top of the casket.
The putto itself may have been inspired by an ivory figure of a sleeping putto by Artus Quellinus the elder (1609-1668), now in the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Quellinus worked in Amsterdam from 1646 to 1663, thus concurrent with the date of the casket.
The sides of the casket show lively putti among circular floral and ornamental shapes. Placed in a symmetrical scheme, their individual shape differs, accentuating their specific importance within the design. Barents design was obviously influenced by the work of his fellow Amsterdam silversmith Johannes Lutma (1584/5-1669). Some of Lutmas designs were published in print, including a design for a similar rectangular 'poederdoos' (powder box) featuring a standing putto on the cover.