With a lovely colour and rich patina, this superb English oak coffer dates from c. 1600. Set on tall feet and of a very good size and rarely seen compact proportion, this would be a perfect linen box at the end of a bed or a beautiful focal point in any room..The carving particularly finely executed with stylised acanthus leaf extending from the front feet to the top of the stiles and with adorsed foliate S-scrolls across the frieze. Each fielded panel superbly carved with sophisticated geometric pattern, leaves and twinned circles - reminiscent of formal knot gardens - and with running strapwork along the intermediate framing. The bottom frame carved with expansive lunettes with small flying ribbons indicating that the chest is probably of North Country origins..Retaining its original candle box which also has a wonderful patina. The three fielded panel lid original also with channel carving to the borders. To the inner face of the panelled lid are the remnants of a ve...