The Valence Casket

The Valence Casket, circa 1305-1312, (1881). Etching of an engraved copper casket with gold and champlevé enamel, made in the early 14th century, possibly in England, or in Limoges, France. The piece was probably made for a member of the Valence family, and the decoration incorporates six shields; the Royal arms of England, and those of five leading familes, all related: Valence (Earls of Pembroke), Brittany (Dreux), Angoulême, Brabant and Lacy (Earls of Lincoln). From "The South Kensington Museum", a book of engraved illustrations, with descriptions, of the works of art in the collection of the Victoria & Albert Museum in London (formerly known as the South Kensington Museum). [Sampson Low, Marston, Searle and Rivington, London, 1881]. Artist W Harbutt. (Photo by The Print Collector via Getty Images)