Offered by:
Alexander George Fine Antique Furniture
By Appt.
Oxfordshire , England
Call Seller
4401367243304
Showrooms
17th-Century Diminutive William and Mary Kingwood Strongbox or Coffre Fort
-
Description
A William and Mary Kingwood / Princes Oyster Strongbox or Coffre Fort of Diminutive Proportions, 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 one drawer 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 a drawer lined in oak and simulated kingwood.
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.
£11,900 -
More Information
Origin: England Period: Pre 18th Century Materials: Kingwood, Gilt Brass Condition: Good. Wear consistent with age and use. Superb original condition. Fabulous colour. Creation Date: Circa 1690 Styles / Movements: Traditional, William & Mary Incollect Reference #: 647461 -
Dimensions
W. 11.03 in; H. 6.5 in; D. 7.68 in; W. 28.02 cm; H. 16.51 cm; D. 19.51 cm;
Message from Seller:
Alexander George Fine Antique Furniture, based in rural Oxfordshire, specializes in exceptional 17th- and 18th-century English furniture from renowned cabinet-makers like Thomas Chippendale, Coxed & Woster, and Gerrit Jensen. With a focus on authenticity, provenance, and expert conservation, we serve collectors worldwide with trust and integrity. Contact: +44 1367 243304 | sue.austin@alexandergeorgeantiques.com |
Sold
More Listings from Alexander George Fine Antique Furniture View all 97 listings
-
A Rare 18th Century George II Musical Table Clock by Matthew King, c. 1735.
-
A fine and extremely rare 17th century William and Mary baroque
-
A 17th Century William and Mary eight-day double basket table clock by Asselin
-
A Fine Set of Six George III 18th Century Gothic Chippendale Dining Chairs, 1760
-
Important 17th Century William and Mary Bur Pollard Oak Chest of drawers
-
17th Century William and Mary Blond Olive Oyster Chest of drawers, Circa 1690.
-
A Rare 18th Century George II Carved Cut Gesso and Giltwood Mirror, Circa 1730
-
A Fine and Rare George III Octagonal Figured Satinwood Box, C.1790
-
Highly Important 17th Century Charles II Floral Marquetry table by Gerrit Jensen
-
19th Century Grand Tour Micro Mosaic Tablet Depicting Italian Architecture
-
Rare Pair of George III 18th Century Rocco Giltwood Mirrors, circa 1760-1770
-
Important 17th Century William and Mary Oak Silver Table, Provenance Met Museum
-
A Unique 18th Century Georgian Urn Clock by Paul Rimbault, Soho London, 1770
-
The Sir William Stephenson 18th Century George II Lacquer Chinoiserie Bureau
