17th cent box Vermeer painting

Discussion in 'Antique Discussion' started by bosko69, Nov 5, 2025.

  1. bosko69

    bosko69 Well-Known Member

    Just saw this in The Art Newspaper: An object depicted in a Vermeer painting has been found to represent a rare Indian jewellery casket, throwing fresh light on the artist’s mysterious pictures.
    This article describes the 17th century Indo-Portuguese casket made in the port of Cochin (now Kochi) in southern India.
    https://www.theartnewspaper.com/202...box-vermeer-paintings-artist-connections-book

    Here's a collection of Indo Portuguese antiques on 1st Dibs,beautiful stuff, which I probably won't be owning soon.
    https://www.1stdibs.com/buy/indo-portuguese/
     
  2. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    It is a beautiful box, but it's presence on a 1666 Dutch painting is not as unusual as it seems.
    In 1663 the VOC (Dutch East India Company) conquered Kochi, so at the time Vermeer painted the painting Kochi was a Dutch colony. Prosperous Dutch were always looking for the next novelty from the East.
    The colonies of the VOC ranged from South Africa in the west to Taiwan in the east. Many of the colonies were dotted along the coasts of India, Kochi being one of them.

    The issue of Vermeer having a valuable item at his disposal is another thing.
    It could have been a loan from a wealthy patron, as suggested. Also, Vermeer's mother-in-law owned several properties and businesses. She had money and supported her daughter's family (with Vermeer) financially. Vermeer also worked for her, but wasn't a good business man himself.
    So the box could have belonged to his MIL.
     
    Last edited: Nov 6, 2025
Draft saved Draft deleted
Similar Threads: 17th cent
Forum Title Date
Antique Discussion signature identify 16.-17th century Feb 4, 2024
Antique Discussion What do you make of this 17th century day bed? Oct 25, 2022
Antique Discussion Should i buy this for £1000? 17th century necklace with Russian icons Apr 9, 2019
Antique Discussion A tricky repair on 17th century Limoges enamel on copper. Jan 16, 2018
Antique Discussion JUST BOUGHT THIS 50" TALL ANTIQUE CABINET 17THC? Jul 10, 2023

Share This Page