A large and rare English elm and iron bound dug-out chest in two sections, Wolverley, Worcestershire 16th century

the larger section with hinged cover, iron handle and two lock plates, the front with moulded upper rim above triple lock plates and the conforming smaller section with hinged cover, iron handle and two lock plates, the front with moulded upper rim above twin lock plates, losses           

Made for Wolverley Church, Wolverly, Worcestershire;

The John Fardon Collection, Christie's South Kensington, 1st May 1996, lot 289.

Victor Chinnery, Oak Furniture, The British Tradition, Woodbridge, 1979, p. 70, figs. 2:36, 2:37 and 2:38.

Larger chest: Distressed commensurate with age and use. Timber lacking polish and of `biscuit' colour. Rust to metal components and the cover with loss of hinged front lock hasps. Timber with old splits and separation prominent on the cover. The cover of slightly domed form and the reverse of the cover with two rusted locks.There are old marks and chipping throughout and fragmenting. This fragmenting is severe on one side and continues on the back and the opposing end as result of previously being architecturally built into a wall and enduring the effects of damp. As a consequence of the fragmented losses this heavy chest sits slightly off angle on the floor. The front upper rim with old indents to the moulding from former hinged lock hasps and `ghosting' from a former metal mount at one end of the front. This rare lot would benefit from cleaning and polishing. Keys lacking. AND Smaller chest: Distressed commensurate with age and use. Timber lacking polish and of `biscuit' appearance and with rust to metal components. Front of cover now lacking hinged lock hasps. Timber with old partial splits, fragmenting and chipping throughout. The cover with stains possibly oil spillage and with pronounced separation and the reverse of the cover with old incomplete rusted metal mounts probably to secure the separation. One side of the chest with severe fragmenting and this also applies to the reverse with residual lifting of the metal bindings. Front upper moulded rim with indents from the use of the former lock hasps and one end of the front with `ghosting, from a former metal mount. This rare early heavy chest would benefit from cleaning and polishing. Keys lacking.
"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."

Chinnery (op. cit. pp. 71-72) writes '...the huge log has been cut to an amazing thinness' an interesting point as it emphasises the fact that something so abstract and seemingly so crude, was technically quite complicated to produce. The chest could well have been cut into two sections, as Chinnery points out, because its bulkiness would have made handling difficult as one large piece. Chinnery records that the chest was set into stonework at Wolverley Church, whilst this may have aided the secure nature of the chest it has caused some rot at the lower rear edge - although the interiors of both sections are intact