About 1525, Outer case 1690-1720
This box has many trays and compartments for writing implements. Several such boxes were recorded at Greenwich Palace when Henry VIII died in 1547. The royal arms and badges of Henry and Katherine of Aragon appear among figures and motifs based on Continental designs. The figures of the Roman gods, Mars and Venus, were based on woodcuts by the German artist Hans Burgkmair 1 (1473-1531), published in 1510.

Walnut and oak lined with painted and gilded leather, and silk velvet; lated shagreen (possible sharkskin) outer covering

Made in London or on the Continent

V&A