An English carved oak panelled chest 16th century

with a thick single plank moulded cover, the four panel front with linenfold carving decorated with incised 'embroidery' pattern, the sides with plain panels

By repute formerly at Mounton House, Monmouthshire, the home of Avary Tipping.

Very attractive colour and patination. The top with old fragmenting and indents. The top and front rim with partial splits. There is an old aperture on the front rim from a former hasp. The rear rim of the top with fragmented former hinge sites. The front with void lock site and partial split on lower front of the right corner stile. The right side with split panel and fragmenting on the apron rail. Rear feet with spliced replacements. Fragmenting to front feet. Traces of worm to the rear. Rear frieze with later applied rail and the existing original rail with various former hinge sites. Cover now attached by two later hinges. Splits in rear panels. Shrinkage and splitting to the twin floor panels. Unusual long form.
"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 'narrow' chest with its single plank top has an overall shape very like an early form plank chest. It seems to be an almost unique example of the transition in England from boarded to panelled chests and shows another way of dealing with this style shift to the otherwise all plank chest with a panelled front.

James Avary Tipping (1855-1933) was a writer and landscape designer in the Arts and Crafts style. After reading Modern History at Oxford Tipping went on to become a widely published authority on the history of gardens, buildings and furniture. In 1907 he became architectural editor of Country Life, and published valuable articles and photographs of some the great buildings and gardens in Britain.

His most ambitious project was the construction of Mounton House and garden near Chepstow in Monmouthshire. This was begun in 1912 and was designed in the Arts and Crafts style.