A rare English carved oak boarded box first half 16th century

the hinged top carved with moulded recess and with traces of a former carrying handle, the front carved with a pair of quatrefoil Gothic roundels each enclosing a Tudor rosette, with an applied base moulding, the interior with traces of a former till, lock site with repairs

The Moller Collection, Thorncombe Park, Surrey;
An Important Private Collection of 16th, 17th and 18th Century Furniture Formed Under The Guidance of R. W. Symonds, these rooms, 28th May 1982, lot 2.

Illustrated R. W. Symonds, Furniture Making In Seventeenth and Eighteen Century England, London, 1955, p. 1, fig. 5.

Good with fine colour and patina. The usual old chipping and wear commensurate with age and use. The cover with some fragmenting above the hasp site and also on the rear of the top above the interior hinge sites. The simulated panel carved out within the top has an inset reeded moulding within the border and a small section is lacking in the rear left corner. The centre of the cover with two metal staples to accommodate a former handle that is now lacking. Reverse of cover with indications of former lock catch with old fragmented timber on this site. The two old metal hinges with wear and some areas of old fragmenting on the reverse of the cover. The front with an old partial split. There is ghosting and some replaced timber on the metal lock plate site and with some old fragmenting to the reverse on this area as a result of original lock loss. The carved flower head with slight old losses and some minor traces of old filler in pale colour on the lower edge of the front board. The interior with trenching to accommodate a former till and with two apertures to receive the former hinged till lid. The outer right side with some old fragmenting on the surface. The opposing left side and rear generally tidy. Wear and scuffing to perimeter moulding applied to the base. Underside of base with fragmenting, partial small split, some timber losses and a peg lacking. One corner applied with green baize. Considering the attractive small proportions this lot retains great presence and is very attractive.
"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."

This fine box is unusual in that the 'panelled' top and blind tracery roundels to the front are carved out of single sections of wood.

Symonds (op. cit.) captions his illustration with a 'Small box (probably a dressing-box) decorated with Gothic roundels. First quarter 16th century'. He goes on to suggest later (op. cit. p. 20) that the box may have had a polished steel mirror fixed to the reverse of the lid - a feature which would support his assertion that the box was for dressing.