Hinged top oak chest, 1540-1580, English, 21/2864

Small boarded oak chest with panelled linenfold front and sides, with cut-out mid section between the feet. Hinged top, the front carved with two panels of linen pattern, the end having shaped openings below.
The side pieces, back and lid each formed from a single plank. Saw marks are visible on the underside of the bottom. The front with two linenfold panels, with noticeably shallow front uprights. The front and back are dowelled to the side pieces and onto the bottom. The side pieces are dowelled onto the bottom plank. The lid is held on two strap hinges (nailed), replacements for the original twisted staples hinges which are missing.
Inside there are slots for a till at the right side (now missing).

Given by Robert Mond, Esq.

Purchased for the Museum by Mr Mond at Christie's on April 28th 1921, lot 438 (16 guineas) from the collection of Morgan S. Williams, Esq., of St. Donat's Castle, Glamorganshire.

RP 21/2864, Nominal File MA/1?M2476

Condition: "worn and cracked"

On loan to the National Trust at Oxburgh Hall, Norfolk from 1955-2019

Small chest, gift of Robert Mond Esq, Coombe Bank, Sevenoaks 29 April 1921
Inspected on loan at Oxburgh Hall, Norfolk by NH 2005-10-06, and Nov 2010

This chest displays an unusual combination of boarded and panelled construction. It is possible that a panelled front and lid have been added to a boarded chest.

Notes from R.P. 21/2864

Listed on gift form
Small chest, carved linenfold panels, English

29/4/21 Minute sheet
H Clifford Smith attended Christie's sale of early furniture from St Donat's Castle, the property of the late Mr Morgan Williams. "The collection was well know, most of the chest pieces being illustrated in Macquoid's work with the result that the prices were high, and I failed to secure any of the more important articles". He managed to purchase lot 438, a small chest with panels of linen pattern for 16 guineas. Smith used funds (£50) provided by Mr Robert Mond (who had previously provided the Museum with several pieces of English Gothic furniture, including the Prince Arthur cupboard and it was agreed that the £50 be used for a piece of English gothic.

Smith notes that "this type is not already represented in the museum and will make an interesting addition to our group of English gothic".

A notation in red on the minute sheet records the condition of the chest: "(cl?)asp missing, keyhole cover broken, repaired: worm eaten".

W.85-1921