Items for Sale

English Oak panelled Coffer, circa 1580 - 1590. The quality of the timber selection, and the workmanship of this piece are outstanding. It has a four panelled top below which is a two-panelled front with applied cruciform mouldings separated by a Renaissance Corinthian column typical of this period. The fine lock plate is original, but the hasp is a later replacement. The top of the till is missing and there is a very old repair to the top back left-hand panel. The top front rail has been punched three times with the initials”ID”, and there are three paper fragments under the lid with similar handwriting one listing three of the Ricardo family, another has the title “Beauchamp Court Papers”. The hinges have been replaced.
Stylistically the indications are that this piece was probably made in London or the South East given comparible similarities to the fixed woodwork from Bow Palace in the V & A Museum. The Ricardos who owned it were an important family who purchased Gatcombe Park during the first quarter of the 19th Century.