Strong Box
1680-1700 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Object Type
The chest has a pine carcase and is veneered on the top and front with kingwood, in a pattern known as 'oysterwork'. The inside is also veneered with kingwood and fitted with one small kingwood drawer. The reinforcing bands and drop handles are of gilt brass.
Materials & Making
Kingwood, a form of rosewood from Central and South America, was much admired for its natural grain patterns. It was used as decorative veneer, even on something as utilitarian as a strong box.
Time
A number of finely veneered strong boxes have survived from the 1670s, including one from Ham House, Richmond, Surrey. The nobility used these portable strong boxes when travelling between their various properties, often in times of uncertainty and political upheaval.
The chest has a pine carcase and is veneered on the top and front with kingwood, in a pattern known as 'oysterwork'. The inside is also veneered with kingwood and fitted with one small kingwood drawer. The reinforcing bands and drop handles are of gilt brass.
Materials & Making
Kingwood, a form of rosewood from Central and South America, was much admired for its natural grain patterns. It was used as decorative veneer, even on something as utilitarian as a strong box.
Time
A number of finely veneered strong boxes have survived from the 1670s, including one from Ham House, Richmond, Surrey. The nobility used these portable strong boxes when travelling between their various properties, often in times of uncertainty and political upheaval.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
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| Materials and techniques | Kingwood (aka princes wood) veneered on pine, with iron and gilt-brass mounts |
| Brief description | Oak strong box, veneered with kingwood, with brass mounts. England or Netherlands, ca. 1670-1700. |
| Physical description | Oak, veneered with a tropical hardwood, identified by eye as kingwood - aka princes wood (oyster-cut on exterior, straight grain on interior) arranged to form a pattern. Spring hook with a brass hasp and plate, cut with scrolls. Chest further decorated with 3 long hinge-bands, eight angle pieces and 7 strengthening bands of brass also ornamented with scrolls. There is a brass drop handle at either end and a drawer inside. Each end is pierced vertically with a hole for a screw by which chest can be secured downwards (into floorboards) against removal. Inside (bottom PR) is a plain drawer (the fabric pull almost entirely missing) that sits within a plain housing. This was originally concealed behind a full-height sliding panel (missing); other interior fittings may also have been removed. |
| Dimensions |
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| Gallery label | British Galleries:
This box appears decorative, but it was also very difficult to break open or steal. It has a strong lock and two bolts concealed in the sides, so that it could be screwed down into floorboards if necessary. Its owner probably used it when travelling to keep valuable items secure.(27/03/2003) |
| Object history | Notes from R.P. 1897/45757? Registry lists as RP 1896/106283 Purchased from Messrs. W. Williamson & Sons, Guildford for £6. 12s. Listed on Department Form as "1 Spanish Box, brass mounted & key (veneer cracked) purchased from W. Williamson & Sons, Guildford, 30th November 1896 for £6.12.0 1/1/97 List shows the box as English not Spanish |
| Summary | Object Type The chest has a pine carcase and is veneered on the top and front with kingwood, in a pattern known as 'oysterwork'. The inside is also veneered with kingwood and fitted with one small kingwood drawer. The reinforcing bands and drop handles are of gilt brass. Materials & Making Kingwood, a form of rosewood from Central and South America, was much admired for its natural grain patterns. It was used as decorative veneer, even on something as utilitarian as a strong box. Time A number of finely veneered strong boxes have survived from the 1670s, including one from Ham House, Richmond, Surrey. The nobility used these portable strong boxes when travelling between their various properties, often in times of uncertainty and political upheaval. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 793:1, 2-1896 |
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| Record created | March 27, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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