A Quite Exceptional Charles I Oak Table Box

The boarded front, having two “bands” of carving – the upper, shallower band, with two carved lunettes either side of the shaped iron lockplate, and separated from the deeper, lower band by a concave run-moulding filled with stamp decoration.

The lower band is again a pair of lunettes, slightly larger than those above, and of richer detail, each semi-circle filled with flower petals and set within a channel moulded frame. These “rich” lunettes are repeated on the two end boards, which have chip-carved decoration on the vertical joint with the front board.

The top is most unusual – decorated with original carving, a daisy in a roundel, the outer circle stamped decorated and the whole top edged in a zig-zag frame. (It is extremely rare to find the lid of either a table box, or coffer, with carved decoration).

Superb colour and surface.

English, Gloucestershire, circa 1630-35.

Width 19 inches, back to front 13 inches, height 11 inches.

Ref 2430