Box stool with hinged top, oak. English 1650-80

Box-stool, almost square, with hinged lid and on legs with three bobbin turnings. The lid is a solid board with moulded edges, held on two iron strap hinges nailed internally (with two added screws) and apparently original. The box section is plain, and is now missing its bottom (the remnants of nails survive in the underside of the box sides). On the upper faces of all four rails a 1cm rebate top has been cut, perhaps to support an inserted frame (now missing) to hold a bowl. The four short, turned legs are joined by four plain stretchers.

Heavy wear on all four feet.

Bought with 422-1907 for £3 13s 4d from T. Charbonnier, Lynmouth Art Gallery, North Devon. RF MA/1/C1032/1
See RP49/108A

This appears to be a night stool as the seat is in the form of a box with a hinged lid. The top edge is rebated to hold a panel which could have held a bowl. The base panel is missing.

Comparable objects

See also:
Tobias Jellinek, Early British Chairs and Seats, 1500-1700 (Woodbridge, 2009), p255ff
Victor Chinnery, Oak Furniture, The British Tradition (Woodbridge, 1979), p268ff

A replica version of 423-1907 is on display at Oak Hall, West Bromwich (Sept. 2016)

On loan to Oak House Museum, West Bromwich

423-1907