Box with internal till, Spanish 16c

Box (or coffer) and hinged lid with various woods. The inside and front have a central pattern of stars, entwining squares and polygons, surrounded by bands, some enclosing zig zag and checquer patterns. The back plain. The lid with inked figure 985. Internal till with bottom, and below a cut out to front. The upper surface of all three rails (sides and front) with a regular star shaped stamp.

Constrction
Dovetailed construction (mitred) holding ends in place. Bottom of rough plank nailed up. 3 ring hinges holding lid appear original. Lock is old, and the hasp on hand made nails seems original, but there is evidence of a larger lockplate - so perhaps this s an early replacement. The mouldings at the bottom and to the lid are applied.

This object was purchased for £40 from the Mora brothers of 35 Via Solferino, Milan and was said to come from the Certosa di Pavia.

RP 7627/189

Comparable objects
Museum of Decorative Arts, Madrid, illustrated in Grace Hardendorff Burr, Hispanic Furniture (New York, 1964), fig. 5
Enrico Colle, Museo d'Arti Applicate: Mobili e intagli lignei (Milan, 1996), no. 253 (described as Lombard 1850-75)

This object has long been assumed to be Italian because it came from the Certosa di Pavia and was aquired in Milan. It is now thought to be Spanish.

This chest came from the Certosa di Pavia in Italy, but was almost certainly made in Spain. The art of inlaying small fragments of different coloured woods in geometrical patterns was a speciality that flourished throughout Andalucia from about 1500. It originated amongst Arab craftsmen from North Africa, where trees are more scarse and woods used more economically. Although Italian craftsmen at this time had an equivalent, known as tarsia di toppo, they preferred juxtaposing dark and light woods to create a three dimensional effect to Arab-influenced geometrical patterns. This box was probably presented to the Certosa by a visiting Spanish pilgrim or member of the Carthusian order.

667:1, 2-1890