Coffer and Key thumbnail 1
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Ironwork, Room 114c

This object consists of 2 parts, some of which may be located elsewhere.

Coffer and Key

1597 (made)
Artist/Maker
Unknown
Place of origin
Germany (made)

Coffer made of wrought iron, the hasps are pierced with the date 1597. The coffer is painted with figures and shields of arms.


Object details

Categories
Metalwork
Ironwork
Object type
Coffer and key
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Coffer
  • Key
Materials and techniques
Wrought iron
Wrought Iron
Forging (Metal Forming)
Painting
Piercing
Brief description
Coffer and key, pierced wrought iron with painted figures and shields of arms, Germany, 1597
Physical description
Coffer made of wrought iron, the hasps are pierced with the date 1597. The coffer is painted with figures and shields of arms.
Dimensions
  • Height: 83.19cm (converted from inches)
  • Length: 136.53cm (converted from inches)
dimensions in original register: h = 2 feet, 8 3/4 inches l = 4 feet, 5 3/4 inches w = 2 feet, 1 inch
Marks and inscriptions
1597
Gallery label
COFFER Wrought iron Germany; 1597 The hasps are pierced with the date 1597. The coffer is painted with figures and shields of arms, which was probably renewed when it changed hands at some later date. Painted iron chests were popular in Germany, although they are usually of the rectangular 'Armada chest' type. Wheeled chests with curved lids seem to have been relatively common from the 15th century. With their iron cladding, they were an effective string box. Bequest of Miss E.F.J. Mackworth Dolben Museum No. M.244-1912 (07/1994)
Credit line
Bequeathed by Miss E. F. J. Mackworth Dolben
Bibliographic reference
Jenning, C. Early Chests in Wood and Iron. London : Public Record Office, 1974.
Collection
Metalwork Collection
Accession number
M.244-1912

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Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O380118/coffer-and-key-unknown/
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