£4,200
A rare Commonwealth oak casket or writing box, dated 1650, of, probably, chestnut, the canted lid with sliding top and inlaid in bone with tablet inscribed with the initials I E*E B, 1650 and simple scroll and terminals, the fall front freed by a wooden gravity-catch and revealing a group of five plain or moulded tills, each retaining the knob, the mouldings extending to the side, the pairs of recessed block feet apparently original, the whole retaining much of the original dark stain, 36cm h; 25.5 x 37.5cm
Provenance: Colonel Sir Edward Geoffrey Hippisley-Cox CBE TD DL (1884-1954), Parliamentary Agent of Westminster and Gournay Court, West Harptree, Somerset, thence by descent to the present vendors.
Although rare, one or two other examples are recorded in the literature: see in particular Chinnery (V), Oak Furniture The British Tradition, fig 3: 429a and b. The basic form is however considerably earlier, as proven by the example dated 1570, illustrated by Edwards (R), The Shorter Dictionary of English Furniture, p62, fig 3 and discussed p63
In good and original overall condition, one of the two butterfly hinges an old replacement, localised old worm to underside and various old losses and splits to the wood, the lock apparently original
Fees apply to the hammer price:
Room and Absentee Bids:
28.8% inc VAT*
Online and Autobids:
30.6% inc VAT*
