Boarded chest
Category
Furniture
Date
circa 1500 - 1550
Materials
Oak, iron, paint
Measurements
48 cm (H); 112 cm (W); 43 cm (D)
Place of origin
England
Order this imageCollection
Montacute House, Somerset
NT 597543
Summary
A boarded oak chip carved chest, English 1st half of the 16th century. Retaining some of its original red painted surface, the plank top above a front decorated with roundels of varying sizes, and raised with V cut end planks, the front with an applied bracket to one side (the other missing), probably a later addition.
Full description
Victor Chinnery discusses chip carving in 'Oak, The British Tradition' pp.179-181 and suggests that early chip carving, such as this example, is associated with carpenter’s work whereas later examples, particularly boxes made during the 17th century were purchased in the plain and carved by amateur hands to be given as personalised gifts. (James Weedon, April 2019)
Provenance
Bequest to the National Trust of tapestries, pictures, furniture and objects d'art from Sir Malcolm Stewart in 1960.
References
Chinnery, 1974: Victor Chinnery. Oak furniture: the British tradition. [n.p.]: Baron Publishing, 1974.