A rare English oak and inlaid boarded chest late 16th century

the moulded hinged cover above a bog oak and holly inlaid front depicting foliate sprays within urns either side of a smaller foliate motif and centred by an iron lock plate, contained within a chevron inlaid border and moulded surround, the sides with lozenge motifs inlaid with traces of conforming chevron inlay, losses

Good considering age and use. Superb patina throughout. A lot of wear with old chipping and partial loss of inlaid details. The cover with old fragmented indent at centre of front rim on former hasp site. Slight warping to top and old partial fracture split near the front right corner of the top. The chest front with old separations and partial splits. The inlay loss includes the geometric banding from the lower edge and the lower right front corner. The left side with old split in rear stile and the upper and lower corner of this stile with old metal bracing. The left side with old loss and partial split on front stile and adjacent area in the front lower corner of the left side. The rear of the chest with the good original single large board. The interior with hasp hinges and indications of former hinges. The rear rim with old fragmenting on these sites and a small section of later timber. Indications of a former till. The old lock now with key lacking. Separations to floor. Rear feet re-tipped. This distinctive chest has a special presence and portrays its honesty.
"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."

For similar finely worked inlay in the form of foliate sprays emanating from urns in another early piece of furniture see a standing cupboard illustrated by Victor Chinnery, Oak Furniture, The British Tradition, Woodbridge, 1979, p. 194, fig. 2:221. This has been handled in the same way, woods have been inlaid into single boards. When these pieces were new the colours of the woods would have been very strong - quite startling in dimly lit 17th century interiors.

Marquetry such as this is usually associated with émigré German cabinet makers, located in the London borough of Southwark. For a chest which features small profusely inlaid foliate panels. See an example dated circa 1585 from Southwark cathedral and attributed to these highly skilled artisans, Ralph Edwards, The Dictionary of English Furniture, London, second edition, 1954, p. 10, fig. 19.