File:BLW Queen Mary's Jewel Casket.jpg

English: Queen Mary's Jewel Casket

About 1677
Steel, pierced and engraved, covered with velvet, overlaid with gilt-brass studs and blued steel
Probably made in England by Walter or Charles Bickford, Royal Locksmiths

This strong-box was used to carry jewellery and valuables when travelling, hence the handles at each end. Its very ornate decoration also meant that it could be used as an item of furniture when fitted with a stand. It combines very fine ornament with sophisticated security.

By tradition this jewel casket belonged to Queen Mary (1662-1695) and was made to hold the dowry paid on her marriage to William of Orange (1650-1702), later William III, in 1677. Their crowned cipher appears on the lock plate. On the lid is a defaced wax seal that originally bore the arms of England as used by the Hanoverian dynasty. In the 18th century this casket belonged to Sophia Dorothea, the sister of George II (reigned 1727-1760) and wife of Frederick William, King of Prussia. He took it to Berlin, where it was purchased by the V&A in 1937.

Although the jewel casket is not signed anywhere, the openwork decoration is blued steel and the chiselled and engraved brass ornament are very close to the locks made by the Royal locksmiths Walter and Charles Bickford. The Bickfords supplied locks to the English royal palaces and also made strong-boxes. There is a signed lock from their workshop in the V&A. Another, smaller version of this jewel casket has been recorded.

Purchased with funds from the Murray Bequest