17th-Century Diminutive William and Mary Kingwood Strongbox or Coffre Fort, C. 1690. 1

17th-Century Diminutive William and Mary Kingwood Strongbox or Coffre Fort, C. 1690. 2

17th-Century Diminutive William and Mary Kingwood Strongbox or Coffre Fort, C. 1690. 3

17th-Century Diminutive William and Mary Kingwood Strongbox or Coffre Fort, C. 1690. 4

17th-Century Diminutive William and Mary Kingwood Strongbox or Coffre Fort, C. 1690. 5

17th-Century Diminutive William and Mary Kingwood Strongbox or Coffre Fort, C. 1690. 6

17th-Century Diminutive William and Mary Kingwood Strongbox or Coffre Fort, C. 1690. 7

17th-Century Diminutive William and Mary Kingwood Strongbox or Coffre Fort, C. 1690. 8

17th-Century Diminutive William and Mary Kingwood Strongbox or Coffre Fort, C. 1690. 9

17th-Century Diminutive William and Mary Kingwood Strongbox or Coffre Fort, C1690-1

17th-Century Diminutive William and Mary Kingwood Strongbox or Coffre Fort, C1690-2

17th-Century Diminutive William and Mary Kingwood Strongbox or Coffre Fort, C1690-3

17th-Century Diminutive William and Mary Kingwood Strongbox or Coffre Fort, C1690-4

17th-Century Diminutive William and Mary Kingwood Strongbox or Coffre Fort, C1690-5

17th-Century Diminutive William and Mary Kingwood Strongbox or Coffre Fort, C1690-6

17th-Century Diminutive William and Mary Kingwood Strongbox or Coffre Fort, C1690-7

17th-Century Diminutive William and Mary Kingwood Strongbox or Coffre Fort, C1690-8

17th-Century Diminutive William and Mary Kingwood Strongbox or Coffre Fort, C1690-9

17th-Century Diminutive William and Mary Kingwood Strongbox or Coffre Fort, C. 1690.

Sold

Request Information

17th-Century Diminutive William and Mary Kingwood Strongbox or Coffre Fort, C. 1690.

A William and Mary Kingwood/Princes oyster strongbox or Coffre Fort, circa 1680-1700, England. Adorned with highly decorative gilt brass strapwork and decorated entirely 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 drawers and securing bolts.

Once the lid is opened you can reach inside to slide the original gilt brass bolt lock to open the fall. Once the fall is open you will find two drawers lined in walnut divided by a secret compartment.

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 almost exactly to a strongbox held in the Victoria & Albert Museum. Accession Number: W.10-1951.

Condition

Good. Wear consistent with age and use. Superb original condition. Fabulous colour.

Dimensions

Height: 8.27 in. (21 cm)
Width: 14.18 in. (36 cm)
Depth: 9.45 in. (24 cm)

PREVIOUSLY SOLD

17th Century Charles II Carved Oak Writing Box or Desk Box circa 1660 England

17th Century Charles II Carved Oak Writing Box or Desk Box SoldFollow Us17th Century Charles II Carved Oak Writing Box or Desk Box A rare 17th-century Charles II carved oak writing or desk box, circa 1660. England. The box opens on the...

George IV Regency Exotic Wood Specimen Parquetry Games Box or Jewellery Box

George IV Regency Exotic Wood Specimen Parquetry Games or Jewellery Box SoldFollow UsGeorge IV Regency Exotic Wood Specimen Parquetry Games or Jewellery Box An extremely rare and fine example, decorated to all surfaces with exotic timbers....

18th Century George II Mahogany Caddy-Topped Chest by Giles Grendey C.1730-1740

18th Century George II Mahogany Caddy-Topped Chest by Giles Grendey, C.1730-1740 Sold Follow Us18th Century George II Mahogany Caddy-Topped Chest by Giles Grendey, C.1730-1740 An important George II mahogany caddy-topped chest, circa...

Miniature William and Mary Diminutive Olive Oyster Chest C.1688-1702

Miniature William and Mary Diminutive Olive Oyster Chest, C.1688-1702 Sold Follow UsMiniature William and Mary Diminutive Olive Oyster Chest, C.1688-1702 From the reign of King William & Queen Mary (1688-1702), England. The finely...

Important Queen Anne Japanned Chinoiserie Corner Cupboard by John Coxed

JOHN COXED Also known as COXED & WOSTER (worked c.1700-c.1718) Important Queen Anne Japanned Chinoiserie Corner Cupboard by John Coxed 1711-1715 England Sold Follow UsImportant Queen Anne Japanned Chinoiserie Corner Cupboard by John Coxed...

Early 18th Century George I Highly Figured Walnut Double Dome Bookcase on Chest

Early 18th Century George I Highly Figured Walnut Double Dome Bookcase on Chest SoldFollow UsEarly 18th Century George I Highly Figured Walnut Double Dome Bookcase on Chest An exceptional and original highly figured George I walnut double...

« SEE MORE