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17th Century William and Mary Kingwood Coffre Fort Box Concealing Three Secrets

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17th Century William and Mary Kingwood Coffre Fort Box Concealing Three Secrets

A superb William and Mary Kingwood / Princes Oyster strongbox or coffre fort of small proportions, circa 1680-1700, England.

Adorned with highly decorative thick 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, above two short rosewood-lined drawers.

Once the lid is opened you can reach inside to slide the original brass bolt lock to open the fall. Once the fall is open you will find two short drawers lined in rosewood. 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 a box 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.

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.

It should be noted that this is an accomplished and fine example having thick-cut gilt brass and superb cuts of Kingwood to the top, face and sides. The back is veneered in rosewood.

Condition

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

Dimensions

Height: 21 cm (8.27 in)
Width: 36.5 cm (14.38 in)
Depth: 23.5 cm (9.26 in)

PREVIOUSLY SOLD

William and Mary Kingwood or ‘Princes’ wood oyster cabinet on chest

When the most expensive timber of the 17th century met Thomas Pistor. There were, in fact, two cabinet-makers called Thomas Pistor, father and son, working for a period at the same time but at different premises. One or both are known to have made furniture of quality for Levens Hall.

17th Century William and Mary Kingwood Strongbox

A 17th century William and Mary Kingwood strongbox, with gilt brass straps. This strongbox has to be one of the most charming and certainly the smallest example we have encountered, at just 17.5 cm high, 28 cm wide and 18 cm deep. A strongbox of similar merit form and style resides at Burghley House in ‘The 1st George State Room.

William and Mary Seaweed Marquetry Strong Box Firmly Attributed to Gerrit Jensen

A 17th century William and Mary seaweed or arabesque marquetry strong box, with firm attribution to the royal cabinetmaker, Gerrit Jensen, circa 1680-1700, England.

18th Century George III Mahogany Serpentine Chest or Commode

A fine George III mahogany serpentine commode, England, circa 1770. Attributed to Henry Hill, Marlborough. The three graduated drawers retain their original gilt brass handles over a unique carved apron and flanked by moulded angles continuing into the shaped cabriole feet.

William and Mary Olive Oyster Lace Box

Fabulous 17th-century olive oyster ‘lace box’. ‘Lace boxes’ were popular amongst the middle and higher classes of society from C.1660-1700. The olive oyster box we have for offer here is a lovely original and unusually small example, at just 12″ wide. This form dates from circa 1680-1700.

George III Mahogany Serpentine Chest of Drawers

Georgian perfection, 18th century George III mahogany serpentine chest of drawers with brushing slide, fabulous reeded columns and retaining superb original age patinated surface. Choice cuts of flame mahogany veneer sit below the brushing-slide to the four oak lined cock-beaded graduating drawers, which are fitted with their original gilt swan-neck handles, skeleton escutcheons and locks.

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