Cases such as these, made from leather hardened using the cuir bouilli process, were used to protect fragile or precious items from damage. The cases are often separated from the items which they once protected -- which could include combs , glass drinking-vessels , inkwells , mirrors , waxed tablets -- even a nef .
Case for a bottle , 14th century ByzantiumCase , 14th century ItalyCase for an ivory writing-tablet , 14th centuryA case for a set of wax writing tablets , York, 14th centuryCase with Tristan and Isolde, for a set of ivory writing-tablets , made in Paris c. 1341-1360Case for a set of six ivory writing-tablets , France, late 14th centuryCase for an astrolabe/quadrant , 14th century FranceA case for a folding-spoon (lower left) and a needle-case (lower right) from the Hermann von Goch nachlaß , c. 1398Case for a scientific instrument, perhaps an astrolabe or clock, 15th century Italy; use V&A's Access to Images and search for Museum Number 7781-1862
Pyx , 15th century ItalyCase for a spoon , 15th centuryRound case , 15th century ItalyCase (also here ), 15th century ItalyCase for an inkwell , 15th century ItalyCase for an inkwell , 15th century ItalyDome-topped case (perhaps for an inkwell?), 15th century ItalyA case for a touchstone , 15th century ItalyA case inscribed BON ♥ AVES on the front and with guimbardes (mouth-harps) on the back, made in the Netherlands or France in the 15th centuryCase for the Wiener Musterbuchs Case for a lamp (originally for a kiddush cup?), Germany, c. 1412-1423 (V&A W.111&A-1910 )
Ink pot , c. 1425-1450Case for a cross , from Jerusalemkerk in Brugge, c. 1435Case for a beaker, 15th century France: top , side , front , other side , back
Case for a glass beaker , 15th century GermanyCase for an enamelled glass beaker , 15th century GermanyCase for an enamelled glass beaker , 15th century GermanyCase for a glass beaker (also here ), Germany in the second half of the 15th centuryCase for St. Elizabeth's beaker , Germany, 15th-16th centuryCase for an orb (also here ), Nuremburg, 1457Case for the crown of Margaret of York , 1475A leather box (side view ) made for Pierre Sala's Petit Livre d'Amour (British Library MS Stowe 955) , c. 1500Case for a nef , Nuremburg, c. 1503 (also here )Detail (a spectacle-case) in Jesus in the Temple Red leather tubular container (see also back ), Sforza, 16th centuryDome-topped case (perhaps for an inkwell?), Italy, 16th centuryLeather case , Italy, 16th centuryA case with heraldic decorations made in 16th century GermanyCylindrical case or box , Italy c. 1550Cases for touchstones , 1571A case for a set of waxed tablets , Germany, beginning of the 17th century
