Lot 1
  • 1

A German wrought iron strong box attributed to Johan Gottlieb Dittman & Sigmund Gatchen second quarter 18th century

Estimate
30,000 - 50,000 GBP
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Description

  • Iron strong box
  • 48cm. high, 86cm. wide, 45cm. deep; 1ft. 7in., 2ft. 9¾in., 1ft. 5¾in.
of rectangular form with canted corners and moulded recessed lid centred by a raised cartouche with scrolled acanthus with an acanthus clasp at each corner, the lock operated by a push button releasing the cover of the lock and opening to reveal on the inside of the lid a complex and elaborately wrought locking mechanism, the front panel centred by a c-scroll cartouche flanked by swags of flowers and leaves and husk trails above a pair of phoenix on a scrolled trelliswork and flowerhead plinth, the canted angles with trails of vine leaves and grapes, each side with a lobed backplate issuing a handle with intersecting c-scrolls at the upper angles above a trellis and flowerhead plinth on a platform base, stamped to the interior of the lid with the maker's mark

Provenance

Jean François Joseph (1733-1797) Marquis d’Alsace de Hénin-Liétard, Comte de Bourlemont became Chamberlain of François 1st, Holy Roman Emperor, 1755 and then Chamberlain to Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor in 1764,, for Château de Bourlemont;
By descent to Pierre Simon (1772-1825) Marquis and then Comte d’Alsace Hénin-Liétard, Count of the Empire, and Chamberlain in 1810;
By descent to Charles Louis Albert (1805-1860) Count of Alsace, Prince of Hénin;
By descent to a private European collector

 

Condition

In good original condition.The colour overall is slightly darker and more natural and attractive than in the catalogue photograph. Old very minor dents, marks and scratches and surface dirt commensurate with age and normal usage. On the exterior of the top there is a very minor section of acanthus leaf off but present which can easily be resoldered.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Catalogue Note

Comparative literature:

Martina Pall, Schlüssel und Schlösser, Schell Collection, Graz, 2012
Ewald Berger, Prunk-Kassetten, Schell Collection, Graz, 1998
Martina Pall, Versperrbare Kostbarkeiten, Schell Collection, Graz, 2006

Strong boxes on this scale made exclusively out of iron began to appear from the early 17th century. Their primary use was the safe-keeping and protection of money and important heir-looms, however, as the century developed and municipal institutions such as the ‘Ducal loan banks’ and the ‘Widows and Orphans Bank’ began to appear the use of these coffers began to evolve. By the early 18th century intricate decorative schemes were employed in the design, not only highlighting the developing skills of various metal workers, notably in Southern Germany, but also turning what were purely functional object into a work of art.

The defining aspect of strong boxes of this quality is undoubtedly the highly elaborate locking mechanisms to the inside of the lid. Although the development of multi-bolt locks did not evolve during the early baroque as much as it had the previous century, 1730 can be seen as a turning point. As the rococo aesthetic began to influence the exterior design, so to, the interior. The complexity of the locking mechanism - often including over twenty separate bolts - became part of the romance and beauty of the piece. Maintaining a Spartan level of security, the locks become juxtaposed to delicate designs with scrolling, almost, floral metalwork. 

The present box relates very closely to one sold Carlton Towers House sale (fig. 1), Sotheby's, 4th November 2009, lot 3 (£73,250). The Carlton Towers strong box which incorporates the same floral motifs to the front panel and drop swag decoration to the canted corners is also in the manner of Johann Gottlieb Dittman and Sigmund Gatchen. Little is published on Dittman and Gatchen although there style can be traced to a signed strong box formerly in the Alphonse de Rothschild Collection (fig. 2), sold Sotheby’s, Monaco, 26th March 1973, lot 167, of similar form which shares the same maker's stamp as seen in the present coffer. The Carlton Towers coffer also shares the same gadrooned decoration to the corners continuing the likely attribution. A recurring theme amongst coffers of this date including another dated 1730, in the Hanns Schell collection, is the use of paired phoenix. The use of the phoenix and the scrolling acanthus decoration is demonstrative of the eastern influence on the progenitors of the rococo aesthetic such as Jean Berain (d.1711).

Château de Bourlemont:

Commanding the Meuse valley since the mid-13th century Château de Bourlemont has been intrinsically linked with French history for over eight hundred years. First realised in its current form in 1248 by Joffroy de Bourlemont (d. 1268) on his return from the Holy Land, the château sits at the strategically important confluence of the Meuse and Saônelle rivers in the Lorraine region of France. Since its erection Bourlemont has passed ownership through three noble families. Firstly the Bourlemonts, then to the Anglure and finally to the princely house of Alsace-Hénin-Liétard, whose patriarch Jean-François added this coffer to the collection. It is interesting to note that a beech tree on the estate has played an important role in the Château’s history on two separate occasions 500 years apart. Firstly in the 13th century when the tree, then known as the Tree of the Ladies (L'Arbre des Dames), was believed to have magical qualities which induced Joan of Arc to hear the voices which commanded her to liberate France. Secondly in 1769 when Jean-François was walking through the grounds and was so impressed by the tree and the situation of the house he immediately bought the entire estate.