A Rare 13th Century English Medieval Oak Clamp Front Chest Of The Upmost Importance.

I am very fortunate to have be given the opportunity of sourcing this most wonderful Historic English chest for a private client and good friend.

This chest is one of a group of the earliest surviving chests of this form.Chests, closely comparable to this example dating from the twelfth and thirteenth centuries,are preserved in churches in Sussex and Surrey,specifically at Bosham,South Bersted,Climping,Godalming and Shere,all of which were almost certainly of local manufacture.

This example is documented as once residing at St.Ebbes Church in Oxford.

The pin hinged single plank lid above a single board front with wide stile ends the inside edge  with an ascending series of dentil carving,the ends of chamfered grilled form.

The long lock to the front was also the invariable choice of lock for chests of this type.It amounted to a row of staples about 3 inches long projecting from the underside of the lid edge,which when the lid was closed,slotted into an iron fixture that spanned the upper rear edge of the front board of the chest.

All original iron work that terminates with a simple cross hatch design.

The inside with a later strong box built in this was probably addapted in the late 17th century.

In very good condition with a great surface and as i say a real honour to be involved in.

72" long

21" high

19" deep.

Literature used to research this chest were.

Sothebys The peter Gwynn Collection  27 november 2001..

S.W.Wolsey and R.W.Luff The Age Of The Joiner

C.Tracey English Medieval Furniture And Woodwork

D.Sherlock.Suffolk Church Chests.

So if there is an item you would like help in Sourcing please get in touch and i will try my best..