Strong box
Category
Furniture
Date
circa 1675
Materials
Oak veneered in pearwood, walnut interior, brass mounts
Measurements
42 x 67.5 x 44.5 cm
Place of origin
England
Order this imageCollection
Hardwick Hall, Derbyshire
NT 1127734.1
Summary
A pearwood, walnut-veneered and brass-mounted strong box, circa 1675, on a parcel-gilt mahogany stand, circa 1725. One of three strong boxes at Hardwick Hall, the box with fall-front and hinged cover enclosing an interior of a well, drawers and secret compartments, mounted to the exterior with elaborate gilt brass straps and lockplates, and with corner mounts. The interior veneered in walnut. The stand of mahogany and with an open top, with parcel-gilt Greek Key frieze, flared acanthus apron and acanthus to the knees of the square-section cabriole legs, terminating in square feet [NT 1127734.2].
Provenance
Three of the strong boxes of this type at Hardwick Hall were provided with matching stands around 1725, and are presumed to be associated with commissions for cabinet furniture from William Kent for Chiswick House by William Cavendish (1672 - 1729), 2nd Duke of Devonshire. This box and stand bears a paper label reading 'Duke's Bedroom'. By descent until, following the death of Edward William Spencer Cavendish, 10th Duke of Devonshire (1895 - 1950), Hardwick Hall and its contents were accepted by HM Treasury in part payment of death duties and transferred to the National Trust, in 1959.
Marks and inscriptions
Underside of box: Duke's Bedroom
References
Rowell, Christopher, 'Furniture at Hardwick Hall - II', in David Adshead and David Taylor, Hardwick Hall: A Great Old Castle of Romance (2016), 173, Figure 175