Coffer
Category
Furniture
Date
circa 1550
Materials
Oak, iron, leather, later softwood, later baize
Measurements
134 x 62.5 x 50.5 cm
Place of origin
Normandy
Order this imageCollection
Bateman's, East Sussex
NT 760834
Summary
An oak coffer, probably Norman/Northern French, but with some English features, mid-16th century. The top a single board with applied edge mouldings simulating panelled construction, fitted with later metal hinges (the original hinges were loop hinges) but the original hasp strap let in to the underside of the top and with flared, serrated terminal. The lid enclosing an interior fitted with a compartment or till with pin-hinged lid with moulded edge and leather tab handle. The interior also fitted with a later baize-lined pine cutlery tray. The front and sides of moulded rails and muntins and four panels: the central pair of panels centred by a rosette within mouldings and a border of saltires and rosettes; the two outer panels centred by a saltire within the same border. The ends each with two panels. Raised on extended stile supports. The back a single, framed board. -- Several features of this coffer, including the wide central muntin (vertical rail) which leaves space for a lockplate, and the unusual carving to the panels - suggest that it was made in Normandy. On the other hand, the single plank lid with applied edge mouldings giving it the appearance of being panelled, and the single framed board which forms the back, are English features. It could be that the coffer originated in Northern France and was altered in England.
Provenance
Listed in the Dining Room in the inventory taken at Bateman's in 1939.Bequeathed by Caroline Starr Balestier, Mrs Rudyard Kipling (1862-1939) with Bateman’s and its contents.