A Fine 17th Century William and Mary Kingwood Strongbox or Coffre Fort, Circa 1690
£8,500
Follow Us
A Fine 17th Century William and Mary Kingwood Strongbox or Coffre Fort, Circa 1690
A diminutive William and Mary Kingwood/Princes oyster strongbox or Coffre Fort, circa 1680-1700, England.
This small scale example is adorned with highly decorative gilt brass strapwork and decorated in knife-cut oysters of kingwood, this box is fit for the most discerning of collectors.
The large gilt brass shield-shaped clasp opens on a push-spring release to reveal a box interior lined in rosewood with two short drawers below, two secret boxes hidden within the frieze and a further secret concealed box dividing the drawers.
The box appears decorative, but it was also very difficult to break open or steal. It has a strong lock to the centre and two bolts concealed in the sides so that it could be screwed down into floorboards if necessary or that of a horse-drawn carriage. Strong boxes veneered in oysters of Princewood such as this were luxury objects.
The cabinet-makers who would have constructed and veneered the carcase apparently sold them, often using tropical hardwood veneers, and mounted it with sets of mounts, handles and locks bought in from brass founders. The elaborate veneering and conspicuous gilded brass mounts show that the appearance of these objects was important.
Thomas Pistor, of Ludgate Hill, London worked with the renowned cabinetmaker Gerrit Jensen. Gerrit Jensen supplied a walnut-veneered ‘strongbox’ to Colonel James Grahame in 1668, Levens Hall. It is recorded that Thomas Pistor’s remaining stock was sold off post his death in 1711, included ‘three fine Princes wood strongboxes’.
The present example relates to a strongbox held in the Victoria & Albert Museum. Accession Number: W.10-1951.
Condition
Good. Wear consistent with age and use. A superb and original example of very good colour and patination.
Dimensions
Height: 7.49 in (19 cm)
Width: 12.01 in (30.5 cm)
Depth: 7.49 in (19 cm)
PREVIOUSLY SOLD
18th Century Japanned Chinoiserie Dome-Topped Box, Circa 1715-1725
18th Century Japanned Chinoiserie Dome-Topped Box, Circa 1715-1725 SoldFollow Us18th Century Japanned Chinoiserie Dome-Topped Box, Circa 1715-1725 Early 18th century George I Japanned Chinoiserie dome-topped box, Circa 1715-1725. England or...
Miniature William and Mary 17th Century Diminutive Olive Oyster Chest C.1690
Miniature William and Mary 17th Century Diminutive Olive Oyster Chest, C.1690 SOLDFollow UsMiniature William and Mary 17th Century Diminutive Olive Oyster Chest, C.1690 A Fine Miniature William and Mary 17th Century Diminutive Olive Oyster...
17th Century William and Mary Olive Oyster Chest of drawers, Circa 1690. England
17th Century William and Mary Olive Oyster Chest of drawers SoldFollow Us17th Century William and...
Pair of 18th Century George III Silver Candlesticks by David Bell, London, 1762
Pair of 18th Century George III Silver Candlesticks by David Bell, London, 1762 Sold[wpforms_selector form_id="11387" show_title="on" _builder_version="4.22.1" _module_preset="default" custom_margin="-30px||||false|false"...
Robert Adam George III Silver Gilt Vase by Daniel Smith and Robert Sharp London
Robert Adam George III Silver Gilt Vase by Daniel Smith and Robert Sharp London Sold[wpforms_selector form_id="11387" show_title="on" _builder_version="4.22.1" _module_preset="default" custom_margin="-30px||||false|false"...
Rare 18th Century George III Lacquer Tea Caddy with Original Lacquer Canisters
Rare 18th Century George III Lacquer Tea Caddy with Original Lacquer Canisters SoldFollow UsRare...
18th Century Japanned Chinoiserie Dome-Topped Box, Circa 1715-1725
18th Century Japanned Chinoiserie Dome-Topped Box, Circa 1715-1725 SoldFollow Us18th Century Japanned Chinoiserie Dome-Topped Box, Circa 1715-1725 Early 18th century George I Japanned Chinoiserie dome-topped box, Circa 1715-1725. England or...
Miniature William and Mary 17th Century Diminutive Olive Oyster Chest C.1690
Miniature William and Mary 17th Century Diminutive Olive Oyster Chest, C.1690 SOLDFollow UsMiniature William and Mary 17th Century Diminutive Olive Oyster Chest, C.1690 A Fine Miniature William and Mary 17th Century Diminutive Olive Oyster...
17th Century William and Mary Olive Oyster Chest of drawers, Circa 1690. England
17th Century William and Mary Olive Oyster Chest of drawers SoldFollow Us17th Century William and...
Pair of 18th Century George III Silver Candlesticks by David Bell, London, 1762
Pair of 18th Century George III Silver Candlesticks by David Bell, London, 1762 Sold[wpforms_selector form_id="11387" show_title="on" _builder_version="4.22.1" _module_preset="default" custom_margin="-30px||||false|false"...
Robert Adam George III Silver Gilt Vase by Daniel Smith and Robert Sharp London
Robert Adam George III Silver Gilt Vase by Daniel Smith and Robert Sharp London Sold[wpforms_selector form_id="11387" show_title="on" _builder_version="4.22.1" _module_preset="default" custom_margin="-30px||||false|false"...
Rare 18th Century George III Lacquer Tea Caddy with Original Lacquer Canisters
Rare 18th Century George III Lacquer Tea Caddy with Original Lacquer Canisters SoldFollow UsRare...
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
18th Century George II Scarlet-Red Japanned Corner Cupboard Att. Giles Grendey
18th Century George II Scarlet/Red Japanned Corner Cupboard, Att. Giles Grendey Sold Follow Us18th Century George II Scarlet/Red Japanned Corner Cupboard, Att. Giles Grendey A fine and rare early 18th century George II scarlet japanned...
A Fine 18th Century George II Mahogany Marble Topped Console Table England
A Fine 18th Century George II Mahogany Marble Topped Console Table, England £18,500Follow UsA Fine...
18th Century George II Mahogany pie crust Tripod Table Circa 1760
18th Century George II Mahogany pie crust Tripod Table, Circa 1760 £3,800Follow Us18th Century...
A Large 18th Century George I Gilt-Gesso Pier Glass, Attributed to John Belchier
A Large 18th Century George I Gilt-Gesso Pier Glass, Attributed to John Belchier SoldFollow UsA...
Fine 18th Century George I Gilt Gesso Pier or Console Mirror, Manner of Belchier
Fine 18th Century George I Gilt Gesso Pier or Console Mirror, Manner of Belchier SoldFollow UsFine 18th Century George I Gilt Gesso Pier or Console Mirror, Manner of Belchier A fine and rare early 18th century George I Gilt Gesso pier or...
17th Century Charles II Month-going longcase clock by John Greenhill
17th Century Charles II Month-going longcase clock by John Greenhill £50,000Follow Us17th Century...
18th Century George II Scarlet-Red Japanned Corner Cupboard Att. Giles Grendey
18th Century George II Scarlet/Red Japanned Corner Cupboard, Att. Giles Grendey Sold Follow Us18th Century George II Scarlet/Red Japanned Corner Cupboard, Att. Giles Grendey A fine and rare early 18th century George II scarlet japanned...
A Fine 18th Century George II Mahogany Marble Topped Console Table England
A Fine 18th Century George II Mahogany Marble Topped Console Table, England £18,500Follow UsA Fine...
18th Century George II Mahogany pie crust Tripod Table Circa 1760
18th Century George II Mahogany pie crust Tripod Table, Circa 1760 £3,800Follow Us18th Century...
A Large 18th Century George I Gilt-Gesso Pier Glass, Attributed to John Belchier
A Large 18th Century George I Gilt-Gesso Pier Glass, Attributed to John Belchier SoldFollow UsA...
Fine 18th Century George I Gilt Gesso Pier or Console Mirror, Manner of Belchier
Fine 18th Century George I Gilt Gesso Pier or Console Mirror, Manner of Belchier SoldFollow UsFine 18th Century George I Gilt Gesso Pier or Console Mirror, Manner of Belchier A fine and rare early 18th century George I Gilt Gesso pier or...
17th Century Charles II Month-going longcase clock by John Greenhill
17th Century Charles II Month-going longcase clock by John Greenhill £50,000Follow Us17th Century...