Many of these caskets were produced in the Upper Rhine in the 14th and 15th centuries, some probably as betrothal caskets, others as commemorative boxes. The hatched background is quite typical of late 14th Century work, as well as the iron mounts and flower-head terminals.
Comparable examples sold: Figdor Collection; Part 1, Vol. V, 29-30 September 1930, lot 310, the Robert von Hirsch Collection; Sotheby's, London, Vol. II, 22 June 1978 and the Thomas Flannery Collection, Sotheby's, London, 1-2 December 1983, lot 73.