Coffer
1600-1700 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
COFFER of pine and walnut, carved and inlaid with Hungarian Ash. It is in two parts, and is fitted with mounts of engraved and tinned iron. Swiss; 17th century.
The lid is composed of two large plain sunk panels in wide framing; it is pierced with a keyhole, with a small plate. The front of the upper part is divided into a central and two narrower side compartments by four pilasters with scrolled caps, and shafts decorated with imbricated ornament; in the centre is an inlaid panel with rounded ends, surrounded by raised mouldings; in each side compartment is a niche with shell above, within a moulded framework. At each end is a large drop-handle within a lozenge outlined by raised mouldings. The lower part contains three drawers, the fronts of which are inlaid with broad banding within mouldings; each has a drop-handle. Half the interior is formed into a compartment with a lid secured by a spring lock and having hinges with bands of ‘s’ scrolls; inside this are three drawers and a shelf. On the underside of the coffer lid are two long hinge-bands with pierced ends, a spring-lock and a catch with scrolled fastening. There are two keys.
The lid is composed of two large plain sunk panels in wide framing; it is pierced with a keyhole, with a small plate. The front of the upper part is divided into a central and two narrower side compartments by four pilasters with scrolled caps, and shafts decorated with imbricated ornament; in the centre is an inlaid panel with rounded ends, surrounded by raised mouldings; in each side compartment is a niche with shell above, within a moulded framework. At each end is a large drop-handle within a lozenge outlined by raised mouldings. The lower part contains three drawers, the fronts of which are inlaid with broad banding within mouldings; each has a drop-handle. Half the interior is formed into a compartment with a lid secured by a spring lock and having hinges with bands of ‘s’ scrolls; inside this are three drawers and a shelf. On the underside of the coffer lid are two long hinge-bands with pierced ends, a spring-lock and a catch with scrolled fastening. There are two keys.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 5 parts.
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| Materials and techniques | Pine, walnut, Hungarian ash, iron carving, inlay |
| Brief description | Coffer of Hungarian ash; Switzerland; 1600-1700 |
| Physical description | COFFER of pine and walnut, carved and inlaid with Hungarian Ash. It is in two parts, and is fitted with mounts of engraved and tinned iron. Swiss; 17th century. The lid is composed of two large plain sunk panels in wide framing; it is pierced with a keyhole, with a small plate. The front of the upper part is divided into a central and two narrower side compartments by four pilasters with scrolled caps, and shafts decorated with imbricated ornament; in the centre is an inlaid panel with rounded ends, surrounded by raised mouldings; in each side compartment is a niche with shell above, within a moulded framework. At each end is a large drop-handle within a lozenge outlined by raised mouldings. The lower part contains three drawers, the fronts of which are inlaid with broad banding within mouldings; each has a drop-handle. Half the interior is formed into a compartment with a lid secured by a spring lock and having hinges with bands of ‘s’ scrolls; inside this are three drawers and a shelf. On the underside of the coffer lid are two long hinge-bands with pierced ends, a spring-lock and a catch with scrolled fastening. There are two keys. |
| Dimensions |
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| Object history | Said to have been used by a Swiss mercenary soldier to keep his arms when not at war. Bought (£79. 8s. 11d.) from Sir. H. Angst, K.C.M.G., British Consulate General, Zurich, Switzerland. RF M 14/08 Location history from dept Findings List: Room 1 Window side; 1973: Store 3 Proposed by A.B. Skinner and T.A. Lehfeldt (23/12/1907) in the museum's assessment of V&A: 75-1908, panelling from a room dated 1493 from a house at Uerikon (a suburb of Zurich), as one of a group of items on offer from Sir Henry Angst to furnish the room. The group included ceramic tiles and vessels, a piece of sculpture and a piece of embroidery, a metal latch, as well as fourteen piece of furniture), acquired as museum nos. 76 to 105-1908, and 131-1908. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 104:1-1908 |
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| Record created | June 24, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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