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
18th Century German Equinoctial Pocket Sundial and Compass by Ludwig Theodor
18th Century German Equinoctial Pocket Sundial and Compass by Ludwig Theodor SOLD Follow Us18th Century German Equinoctial Pocket Sundial and Compass by Ludwig Theodor From the first quarter of the 18th century - a German brass equinoctial...
Fine and Rare Late 17th Century William and Mary Olive Oyster Lace Box
Fine and Rare Late 17th Century William and Mary Olive Oyster Lace Box Sold Follow UsFine and Rare Late 17th Century William and Mary Olive Oyster Lace Box A fine and rare late 17th century olive oyster 'lace box from the reign of King...
17th Century Charles II Cocuswood Lace Box, Circa 1660, England
17th Century Charles II Cocuswood Lace Box, Circa 1660, England SoldFollow Us17th Century Charles II Cocuswood Lace Box, Circa 1660, England An extremely rare and important Cocuswood oyster (Brya ebenus) lace box from the reign of Charles II,...
A superb 17th-century olive oyster lace box from the reign of King Charles II, circa 1675-85.
A superb 17th century olive oyster lace box from the reign of King Charles II, circa 1675-85. Geometric patterns adorn the selected and book-matched hand cut olive oysters to the top which is beautifully inlaid with fine boxwood stringing, cross-banded and edged with cross grain mouldings, all in figured olive.
A fine burr walnut George I dressing mirror. Circa 1715-25 England.
A fine burr walnut George I dressing mirror Circa 1715-25 England. SoldFollow UsA fine burr walnut George I antique dressing mirror An extremely rare and fine George I burr walnut dressing mirror raised on ball and bracket feet. The drawer...
George III Chippendale Period Mahogany Pie Crust Tray
A fine George III Chippendale period mahogany pie crust tray, circa 1770, England. Of circular form, with a carved and shaped edge. Alexander George Fine Antique sell 18th & 19th century antique English furniture.
18th Century German Equinoctial Pocket Sundial and Compass by Ludwig Theodor
18th Century German Equinoctial Pocket Sundial and Compass by Ludwig Theodor SOLD Follow Us18th Century German Equinoctial Pocket Sundial and Compass by Ludwig Theodor From the first quarter of the 18th century - a German brass equinoctial...
Fine and Rare Late 17th Century William and Mary Olive Oyster Lace Box
Fine and Rare Late 17th Century William and Mary Olive Oyster Lace Box Sold Follow UsFine and Rare Late 17th Century William and Mary Olive Oyster Lace Box A fine and rare late 17th century olive oyster 'lace box from the reign of King...
17th Century Charles II Cocuswood Lace Box, Circa 1660, England
17th Century Charles II Cocuswood Lace Box, Circa 1660, England SoldFollow Us17th Century Charles II Cocuswood Lace Box, Circa 1660, England An extremely rare and important Cocuswood oyster (Brya ebenus) lace box from the reign of Charles II,...
A superb 17th-century olive oyster lace box from the reign of King Charles II, circa 1675-85.
A superb 17th century olive oyster lace box from the reign of King Charles II, circa 1675-85. Geometric patterns adorn the selected and book-matched hand cut olive oysters to the top which is beautifully inlaid with fine boxwood stringing, cross-banded and edged with cross grain mouldings, all in figured olive.
A fine burr walnut George I dressing mirror. Circa 1715-25 England.
A fine burr walnut George I dressing mirror Circa 1715-25 England. SoldFollow UsA fine burr walnut George I antique dressing mirror An extremely rare and fine George I burr walnut dressing mirror raised on ball and bracket feet. The drawer...
George III Chippendale Period Mahogany Pie Crust Tray
A fine George III Chippendale period mahogany pie crust tray, circa 1770, England. Of circular form, with a carved and shaped edge. Alexander George Fine Antique sell 18th & 19th century antique English furniture.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
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 Figured Walnut Chest on Chest or Tallboy, 1740
A Fine 18th Century George II Figured Walnut Chest on Chest or Tallboy, 1740 £14,000[wpforms_selector form_id="11387" _builder_version="4.22.1" _module_preset="default" custom_margin="-30px||||false|false" hover_enabled="0"...
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 Figured Walnut Chest on Chest or Tallboy, 1740
A Fine 18th Century George II Figured Walnut Chest on Chest or Tallboy, 1740 £14,000[wpforms_selector form_id="11387" _builder_version="4.22.1" _module_preset="default" custom_margin="-30px||||false|false" hover_enabled="0"...