17th C. Diminutive William and Mary Kingwood Strongbox or Coffre Fort, C. 1690.
Sold
Request Information
Follow Us
17th C. 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 Museum Grade William and Mary Olive Oyster Marquetry Lace Box
17th Century Museum Grade William and Mary Olive Oyster Marquetry Lace Box Sold Follow Us17th Century Museum Grade William and Mary Olive Oyster Marquetry Lace Box 17th century Museum Grade William and Mary Olive Oyster Marquetry Lace box, C....
18th Century Chinese Export Lacquer Chinoiserie Table Cabinet
18th Century Chinese Export Lacquer Chinoiserie Table Cabinet SoldFollow Us18th Century Chinese Export Lacquer Chinoiserie Table Cabinet Depicting figurative scenes to all planes and opening on engraved strap hinges to a fitted interior of...
A Rare Figured Walnut Queen Anne – George I Lace Box, circa 1700-1720.
A Rare Figured Walnut Queen Anne - George I Lace Box, circa 1700-1720. SoldFollow UsA Rare Figured Walnut Queen Anne - George I Lace Box, circa 1700-1720. A rare figured walnut Queen Anne - George I period lace box, circa 1700-1720. The...
Fine American Two Day Marine Chronometer, Signed T. S & J. D Negus New York
Fine American Two Day Marine Chronometer, Signed T. S & J. D Negus New York SoldFollow UsFine American Two Day Marine Chronometer, Signed T. S & J. D Negus New York A Classic beautifully produced mid-19th century American chronometer...
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...
Pair of George IV Regency Specimen Wood Parquetry Boxes of Sarcophagus Shape
Pair of George IV Regency Specimen Wood Parquetry Boxes of Sarcophagus Shape SoldFollow UsPair of George IV Regency Specimen Wood Parquetry Boxes of Sarcophagus Shape An extremely rare and fine pair of George IV Regency exotic timber boxes of...
17th Century Museum Grade William and Mary Olive Oyster Marquetry Lace Box
17th Century Museum Grade William and Mary Olive Oyster Marquetry Lace Box Sold Follow Us17th Century Museum Grade William and Mary Olive Oyster Marquetry Lace Box 17th century Museum Grade William and Mary Olive Oyster Marquetry Lace box, C....
18th Century Chinese Export Lacquer Chinoiserie Table Cabinet
18th Century Chinese Export Lacquer Chinoiserie Table Cabinet SoldFollow Us18th Century Chinese Export Lacquer Chinoiserie Table Cabinet Depicting figurative scenes to all planes and opening on engraved strap hinges to a fitted interior of...
A Rare Figured Walnut Queen Anne – George I Lace Box, circa 1700-1720.
A Rare Figured Walnut Queen Anne - George I Lace Box, circa 1700-1720. SoldFollow UsA Rare Figured Walnut Queen Anne - George I Lace Box, circa 1700-1720. A rare figured walnut Queen Anne - George I period lace box, circa 1700-1720. The...
Fine American Two Day Marine Chronometer, Signed T. S & J. D Negus New York
Fine American Two Day Marine Chronometer, Signed T. S & J. D Negus New York SoldFollow UsFine American Two Day Marine Chronometer, Signed T. S & J. D Negus New York A Classic beautifully produced mid-19th century American chronometer...
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...
Pair of George IV Regency Specimen Wood Parquetry Boxes of Sarcophagus Shape
Pair of George IV Regency Specimen Wood Parquetry Boxes of Sarcophagus Shape SoldFollow UsPair of George IV Regency Specimen Wood Parquetry Boxes of Sarcophagus Shape An extremely rare and fine pair of George IV Regency exotic timber boxes of...
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
A Fine 18th Century George II Mahogany Marble Topped Console Table, Ireland
A Fine 18th Century George II Mahogany Marble Topped Console Table, Ireland SoldFollow UsA Fine...
A Small and Rare William and Marry Figured Walnut Chest of Drawers, Circa 1690
A Small and Rare William and Marry Figured Walnut Chest of Drawers, Circa 1690. £10,000Follow UsA...
17th Century Charles I Carved Oak Box with Original Iron Clasp and Staple Lock
17th Century Charles I Carved Oak Box with Original Iron Clasp and Staple Lock £2,600Follow Us17th...
A Fine Pair of 18th Century George III Silver Engraved Open Fret Wine Coasters
A Fine Pair of 18th Century George III Silver Engraved Open Fret Wine Coasters £3,600Follow UsA...
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 £42,000Follow UsA...
17th Century William and Mary Floral Marquetry Olive Oyster Lace Box, Circa 1685
17th Century William and Mary Floral Marquetry Olive Oyster Lace Box, Circa 1685 £16,000Follow...
A Fine 18th Century George II Mahogany Marble Topped Console Table, Ireland
A Fine 18th Century George II Mahogany Marble Topped Console Table, Ireland SoldFollow UsA Fine...
A Small and Rare William and Marry Figured Walnut Chest of Drawers, Circa 1690
A Small and Rare William and Marry Figured Walnut Chest of Drawers, Circa 1690. £10,000Follow UsA...
17th Century Charles I Carved Oak Box with Original Iron Clasp and Staple Lock
17th Century Charles I Carved Oak Box with Original Iron Clasp and Staple Lock £2,600Follow Us17th...
A Fine Pair of 18th Century George III Silver Engraved Open Fret Wine Coasters
A Fine Pair of 18th Century George III Silver Engraved Open Fret Wine Coasters £3,600Follow UsA...
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 £42,000Follow UsA...
17th Century William and Mary Floral Marquetry Olive Oyster Lace Box, Circa 1685
17th Century William and Mary Floral Marquetry Olive Oyster Lace Box, Circa 1685 £16,000Follow...