A late 15th century iron coffret à mailles or missal box, with a pierced iron tracery case over a wood core (usually oak or beech). This example is covered with a double layer of wrought-iron sheaving with late Gothic grillwork and incorporates rings on either side, giving the owner the ability to secure it inside a larger chest. Decorative coffrets and caskets of this period, were of great importance for the storage of valuables by medieval travelers. Known as coffret à mailles or coffret à la maniere d’Espagne this example incorporates decorative hasps and key, with a later purple velvet interior, embossed with a decorative star motif on the underside of the lid. This type probably preserved precious objects such as jewellery or small illuminated prayer books.
