Spectacular Early 16th Century Oak Parish Chest/ Coffer

Name: Spectacular Early 16th Century Oak Parish Chest/ Coffer
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA350199
Availability: SoldOut

17th century

Sold by Mersham Manor Antiques

Description

A most wonderful English early 16th Century oak boarded chest of large proportions.

c1530

The single piece, panelled top, having two hasps, opening on the original three iron loop hinges, is above a magnificent carved front, which was later carved in the 17th Century.

The four separate carvings depict typical 17th Century interior scenes, plus lively scenes of gallantry. The carvings are superb and very charming. Full of life and movement.

This wonderful chest as you would imagine has a very interesting provenance. It was once part of the contents of Groombridge Place, in Groombridge Kent, purchased in 1930 by the then owner Henry Stanford Mountain, who purchased the house in 1918. He restored and modernised the house and furnished it sympathetically with fine furniture and objects. Each purchased item was carefully logged in "The Red Book"

The contents of Groombridge Place came up for auction in Sotheby`s on 15th and 16th September 1992. This included the chest. The Sotheby`s catalogue information reads-

"An Early 16th Century Coffer" Recorded in The Red Book, purchased in 1930.

"Reputed to have come from Wyckhamford, near Evesham, Worcestershire and to have been a parish chest."

We have the original Sotheby`s catalogue.

A parish chest was a safe-box used for storing parish records, such as births, deaths, property deeds, and legal documents. Used particularly from the Medieval to the Jacobean period.

The colour of the oak is outstanding, simply glowing, warm and very tactile. The weight of the chest is phenomenal, the lid alone takes great effort to lift! but just adds to its wonder. Constructed from huge, thick heavy oak timbers. Beautifully rustic large locks.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about this item.

The dimensions are.

Height-60cm.

Length-180cm.

Depth-49cm.

VIEWING.

Viewings are available at our showroom in Kent, please contact us to make an appointment-thanks.

COLLECTION.

Collection in person is very welcome, we are happy to assist with loading.

DELIVERY.

If courier delivery is required we are happy to give you a quote.

ACCEPTED PAYMENT METHODS.

Cash on collection.

Bank transfer.

Cheque.

Bankers draft.

Physical Dimensions

Height

60cm (23.62")

Width

180cm (70.87")

Depth

49cm (19.29")

Declaration

Mersham Manor Antiques has dated this piece to the Before 1700 period.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA350199

Description

A most wonderful English early 16th Century oak boarded chest of large proportions.

c1530

“

The single piece, panelled top, having two hasps, opening on the original three iron loop hinges, is above a magnificent carved front, which was later carved in the 17th Century.

Mersham Manor Antiques

fig 1. Spectacular Early 16th Century Oak Parish Chest/ Coffer

The four separate carvings depict typical 17th Century interior scenes, plus lively scenes of gallantry. The carvings are superb and very charming. Full of life and movement.

This wonderful chest as you would imagine has a very interesting provenance. It was once part of the contents of Groombridge Place, in Groombridge Kent, purchased in 1930 by the then owner Henry Stanford Mountain, who purchased the house in 1918. He restored and modernised the house and furnished it sympathetically with fine furniture and objects. Each purchased item was carefully logged in "The Red Book"

fig 2. Spectacular Early 16th Century Oak Parish Chest/ Coffer

The contents of Groombridge Place came up for auction in Sotheby`s on 15th and 16th September 1992. This included the chest. The Sotheby`s catalogue information reads-

"An Early 16th Century Coffer" Recorded in The Red Book, purchased in 1930.

fig 3. Spectacular Early 16th Century Oak Parish Chest/ Coffer

"Reputed to have come from Wyckhamford, near Evesham, Worcestershire and to have been a parish chest."

We have the original Sotheby`s catalogue.

A parish chest was a safe-box used for storing parish records, such as births, deaths, property deeds, and legal documents. Used particularly from the Medieval to the Jacobean period.

fig 4. Spectacular Early 16th Century Oak Parish Chest/ Coffer

The colour of the oak is outstanding, simply glowing, warm and very tactile. The weight of the chest is phenomenal, the lid alone takes great effort to lift! but just adds to its wonder. Constructed from huge, thick heavy oak timbers. Beautifully rustic large locks.