Important 17th Century Charles II Burr Walnut Coffre Fort Strong Box, Circa 1675
Sold
Request Information
Follow Us
Important 17th Century Charles II Burr Walnut Coffre Fort Strong Box, Circa 1675
A rare and important 17th-century Charles II burr walnut coffre fort adorned in highly decorative gilt brass mounts and strapwork concealing six secret compartments.
Attributed to the Royal cabinetmaker, Gerrit Jensen. Circa 1675, England.
Decorated entirely in the finest burr walnut veneers and adorned with highly decorative thick foliate gilt brass mounts and strapwork, this is one of the finest examples to be discovered and should be noted as the benchmark for all coffre forts of the entire 17th century. Every single detail in this example exceeds in quality.
The large elaborate gilt brass clasp opens on a push-spring release to reveal the crossbanded interior lined in cascading book-matched figured walnut with two drop-down compartments, each concealing its original hidden box.
Open the original brass bolt lock to open the fall. Once the fall is open you will find two short drawers lined in fiddleback walnut retaining what appears to be the original silk pulls. To access the secret boxes you must first remove the drawers. You can then slide out a small mitred piece situated above each drawer and the original boxes will drop down from each side. The central drawer division can also be removed revealing a secret compartment accessed from the back by sliding a small dovetail-housed piece of oak, after removing this, you can slide down a section of the interior to reveal the most hidden of the six secret boxes.
Gerrit Jensen. Jensen’s earliest recorded customer was Charles Stuart, 3rd Duke of Richmond, who in October 1672 paid him £10 for a table, stands and a strongbox.
Gerrit Jensen supplied a walnut-veneered ‘strongbox’ to Colonel James Grahame in 1688, Levens Hall. Levens Hall, Cumbria. A walnut and iron-bound strongbox still at the house was supplied in 1688.
The present example relates to a strongbox held at Ham House, Surrey. National Trust Collection: NT 1139751.1 According to Thornton and Tomlin, this strongbox could be one of the two described in the inventory of 1683, in the Duchess’s Bedchamber.
Thornton and Tomlin 1980 Peter Thornton, and Maurice Tomlin. “The Furnishing and Decoration of Ham House.” Furniture History, The Journal of The Furniture History Society Vol.XVI, 1980, fig 68
Museum Grade.
Condition
Good. Wear consistent with age and use. Superb original condition. Fabulous colour and patination to the original surfaces.
Dimensions
Height: 32.5 cm (12.8 in)
Width: 51 cm (20.08 in)
Depth: 39 cm (15.36 in)
PREVIOUSLY SOLD

17th Century William and Mary Period Kingwood Oyster Strongbox or Coffre Fort
17th Century William and Mary Period Kingwood Oyster Strongbox or Coffre Fort SoldFollow Us17th Century William and Mary Period Kingwood Oyster Strongbox or Coffre Fort A fine large and rare kingwood oyster strongbox or Coffre Fort, circa...

Large George III 18th Century Mahogany Wine Cooler Cellarette or Jardinière
Large George III 18th Century Mahogany Wine Cooler Cellarette or Jardinière SoldFollow UsLarge George III 18th Century Mahogany Wine Cooler Cellarette or Jardinière A fine and large mid-18th century George III oval mahogany cellarette or wine...

A Fine William and Mary 17th-Century Olive Oyster Lace Box
A Fine William and Mary 17th-Century Olive Oyster Lace Box Sold Follow UsA Fine William and Mary 17th-Century Olive Oyster Lace Box A Fine Late 17th Century Olive Oyster 'Lace Box' of Small Proportions. Circa 1680-1690 England. The...

Figured Walnut George II 18th Century Kneehole Desk Attributed to Elizabeth Bell
Figured Walnut George II 18th Century Kneehole Desk Attributed to Elizabeth Bell £7,600 Follow UsFigured Walnut George II 18th Century Kneehole Desk Attributed to Elizabeth Bell A Fine George II Figured Walnut Kneehole Desk Attributed to...

Diminutive 17th century William and Mary Olive Oyster Miniature Chest of Drawers
Diminutive 17th century William and Mary Olive Oyster Miniature Chest of Drawers Sold Follow UsDiminutive 17th century William and Mary Olive Oyster Miniature Chest of Drawers From the reign of King William & Queen Mary (1688-1702)...

George II Burr/Burl Walnut Caddy Topped Chest, circa 1730-1740
George II Burr/Burl Walnut Caddy Topped Chest, circa 1730-1740 SOLD Follow UsGeorge II Burr/Burl Walnut Caddy Topped Chest, circa 1730-1740 An important George II burr walnut caddy topped chest, circa 1730-1740. With firm...

17th Century William and Mary Period Kingwood Oyster Strongbox or Coffre Fort
17th Century William and Mary Period Kingwood Oyster Strongbox or Coffre Fort SoldFollow Us17th Century William and Mary Period Kingwood Oyster Strongbox or Coffre Fort A fine large and rare kingwood oyster strongbox or Coffre Fort, circa...

Large George III 18th Century Mahogany Wine Cooler Cellarette or Jardinière
Large George III 18th Century Mahogany Wine Cooler Cellarette or Jardinière SoldFollow UsLarge George III 18th Century Mahogany Wine Cooler Cellarette or Jardinière A fine and large mid-18th century George III oval mahogany cellarette or wine...

A Fine William and Mary 17th-Century Olive Oyster Lace Box
A Fine William and Mary 17th-Century Olive Oyster Lace Box Sold Follow UsA Fine William and Mary 17th-Century Olive Oyster Lace Box A Fine Late 17th Century Olive Oyster 'Lace Box' of Small Proportions. Circa 1680-1690 England. The...

Figured Walnut George II 18th Century Kneehole Desk Attributed to Elizabeth Bell
Figured Walnut George II 18th Century Kneehole Desk Attributed to Elizabeth Bell £7,600 Follow UsFigured Walnut George II 18th Century Kneehole Desk Attributed to Elizabeth Bell A Fine George II Figured Walnut Kneehole Desk Attributed to...

Diminutive 17th century William and Mary Olive Oyster Miniature Chest of Drawers
Diminutive 17th century William and Mary Olive Oyster Miniature Chest of Drawers Sold Follow UsDiminutive 17th century William and Mary Olive Oyster Miniature Chest of Drawers From the reign of King William & Queen Mary (1688-1702)...

George II Burr/Burl Walnut Caddy Topped Chest, circa 1730-1740
George II Burr/Burl Walnut Caddy Topped Chest, circa 1730-1740 SOLD Follow UsGeorge II Burr/Burl Walnut Caddy Topped Chest, circa 1730-1740 An important George II burr walnut caddy topped chest, circa 1730-1740. With firm...
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

A Rare and Important Charles II 17th Century Table Clock by Henry Jones
A Rare and Important Charles II 17th Century Table Clock by Henry Jones £85,000Follow UsA Rare and...

Important Early Edo Period 17th Century Miniature Japanese Lacquer Cabinet
Important Early Edo Period 17th Century Miniature Japanese Lacquer Cabinet £36,000Follow...

Fine Scottish Two-Day Marine Chronometer Signed and Numbered D. McGregor
Fine Scottish Two-Day Marine Chronometer Signed and Numbered D. McGregor £6,500Follow UsFine...

18th Century George III Mahogany Tripod Table, Circa 1770
18th Century George III Mahogany Tripod Table, Circa 1770 £2,200Follow Us18th Century George III...

Fine William and Mary 17th Century Olive Oyster Lace Box
Fine William and Mary 17th Century Olive Oyster Lace Box £2,600Follow UsFine William and Mary 17th...

A Fine and Rare George III Octagonal Figured Satinwood Box, C.1790
A Fine and Rare George III Octagonal Figured Satinwood Box, C.1790 £2,200Follow UsA Fine and Rare...

A Rare and Important Charles II 17th Century Table Clock by Henry Jones
A Rare and Important Charles II 17th Century Table Clock by Henry Jones £85,000Follow UsA Rare and...

Important Early Edo Period 17th Century Miniature Japanese Lacquer Cabinet
Important Early Edo Period 17th Century Miniature Japanese Lacquer Cabinet £36,000Follow...

Fine Scottish Two-Day Marine Chronometer Signed and Numbered D. McGregor
Fine Scottish Two-Day Marine Chronometer Signed and Numbered D. McGregor £6,500Follow UsFine...

18th Century George III Mahogany Tripod Table, Circa 1770
18th Century George III Mahogany Tripod Table, Circa 1770 £2,200Follow Us18th Century George III...

Fine William and Mary 17th Century Olive Oyster Lace Box
Fine William and Mary 17th Century Olive Oyster Lace Box £2,600Follow UsFine William and Mary 17th...

A Fine and Rare George III Octagonal Figured Satinwood Box, C.1790
A Fine and Rare George III Octagonal Figured Satinwood Box, C.1790 £2,200Follow UsA Fine and Rare...