This Nuremberg chest is in exceptional condition and of diminutive proportions. Most unusual with four metal wheels fitted to the base to aid with moving around such a heavy chest. The chest is covered with original paintwork with flowers painted on the sides and birds to the front. The false lock on the front purely for decoration with the key fitting into the locking mechanism on the top. There are four locking points internally - two to the front and one other side which are operated by an intricate and substantial locking mechanism. This is the smallest Nuremberg chest that I have ever come across and due to its unusually heavy weight in relation to its diminutive proportions with such a secure locking mechanism plus with wheels to the base - this could easily have been used to safely secure gold coins which would have been heavy. The wheels to the base raise the chest off the ground so there is almost no damage to the chest’s underside which normally occurs with larger chests of this type when they are seated on a damp floor. This is a rare survivor.
This pair of stone lions raised on an oblong base are facing left and right and are sitting with a raised paw resting on a heraldic shield. Wonderful overall condition with a patina associated with having sat outside for many years. Most unusual and extremely heavy.
This Bronze Age gold ring came to me from a family’s collection having been passed down through the generations. Highly unusual with four hoops of gold soldered together with decorative lugs on the external sides. This has been recorded by the British Museum as this style of Bronze Age ring with lugs externally is the first of its type known. A unique item that is at least 2,700 years old.
This plate has a silver patina - depicting a sacrifice in the centre which is likely to be the golden calf under which is the date 1619. Four depictions to the outer rim - the birth of Eve - God forbidding the tree of knowledge to Adam and Eve - the Sharing of the forbidden fruit by Adam and Eve - Adam being cast out of Paradise. Exceptional condition with little wear.
A 16th century well painted bronze cauldron. Raised on three feet and standing true. A blacksmiths early repair to one side which is testament to its age.
This 16th century oak mariner’s chest is bound by decorative ironwork depicting a heart above the hasp and splayed hinge supports securing the lid. Fitted with a pointed/domed top with lifting lid to one side with substantial carrying handles to either end.
A fabulous colour with the original patina.
Various scars and period restorations commensurate with age.
A stone fragment depicting a Saxon or Carolingian cross pre-mid 11th century. Originally part of a larger stone structure either part of a building or funerary decoration.
This late 17th/early 18th century walnut side table fitted with a single freeze drawer on side runners. The highly figured top of great colour supported on a shaped frieze raised on intricately turned legs united by a central stretcher. Wear and imperfections consistent with age. Bought from the owners of a Manoir in Varen Dept 82 France.
This capital depicting intricate iconography of male figures blowing horns. This came as one of a pair bought privately from a client near Carcassonne France with the other listed separately on this page. Made from reconstituted stone which was first used by the Romans and adopted for use in Carcassonne in 1138 when repairing the medieval fortifications.
This capital depicting intricate iconography of an owl with outstretched wings on each face with gothic type arches below. The owl being a bird of mystical qualities in medieval times due to its silent nature when gliding on the wing.
This came as one of a pair bought privately from a client near Carcassonne France with the other listed separately on this page. Made from reconstituted stone first used by the Romans and thereafter adopted for use in Carcassonne in 1138 when repairing the medieval fortifications.
This 16th century chest is dovetailed to the front and back edges. The front depicting two mystical beasts facing each other with entwined acorns carved in relief below the lock plate with the hasp above. The lifting lid enclosing the interior. The body raised on the original shaped plinth base. Good colour and original patina.
This small proportioned moulded chest of drawers dating from the late 17th century is fitted with two short drawers above two long drawers. The top long drawer being cushion moulded with split turn mouldings between each horizontal section of the drawers. Fitted with a planked top above two panelled sides raised on extended stile supports. Good colour and tiny in proportions.
An exceptionally rare medieval chest dating to the 15th century. The lifting shaped top secured by decorative ironwork with fleur-de-lis terminals - the front and sides with similar ironwork and substantial carrying handles to the sides. A money slot fitted to the top indicative that this chest was used for the collection of taxation. The front fitted with the original lock plate and hasps. A rare one off early chest.
This highly unusual late 15th/early 15th century table chest covered in gothic blind tracery on the front sides and back. The front depicting a crown carved in relief below the lock plate with stylised hearts within the blind tracery on the front. The lifting lid with a candle box inside - raised on shaped original feet. Hand cut dovetails to every edge continuing through the feet. Most unusual being carved to the back indicative of it being viewed on all four sides.
This terracotta bust depicts a gentleman with long hair and shaped material around the neck. Medieval in style but could be post medieval. Various damages consistent with age. Fitted with a modern display stand.
This 15th century ship’s chest is covered in decorative ironwork depicting human and mythical faces along with incised scrollwork. The tapering and shallowing shape is indicative of this chest taking the form and being seated in the hull of a ship or boat.
The lifting lid hinged in the centre and at the rear conceals two compartments - the latter of which is secured by the original working lock.
Only a few examples remain with the oak still in tact but remnants of similar ironbound metalwork have been recovered from early wrecks during archaeological excavation. Not to be confused with a stagecoach chest which is similar in design but more regular in proportions.
An early 16th century metal bound chest from Malta when it was gifted to the Knights Hospitallers. The iconography on the top showing Jesus with His arms outstretched in front of Jerusalem with the Sacred Heart below being a representation of God’s boundless and passionate love for mankind. To the left can be found Joseph of Arimethea and to the right Mary Magdalene both of whom are kneeling. The palm tree is symbolic of a palm branch which symbolises the victory of the faithful as in the Palm Sunday festival celebrating the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem.
The front of the box is covered in crosses in relief with inlaid mother of pearl Maltese crosses in the corners of the top as well as on the front. These crosses represent the Order of The Knights of Saint John of Jerusalem – commonly known as the Knights Hospitallers. After Jerusalem was lost in 1187 – the Knights Hospitallers moved to Acre in Palestine – thereafter on to Cyprus and later driven out of Rhodes in 1524 after 200 years. In March 1530 the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V signed the Act of Donation of Malta giving the main island and several smaller ones to the Knights Hospitallers. This 16th century Maltese chest is an extremely rare survivor with the iconography depicting the above.
A well-executed 16th century life-size half-body bust of a male Saint. Exceptional quality and overall carved features with the head being life-like. The folds of robe with much of the original polychrome intact with gold decoration covering a green background.
Carved stone depiction of the last supper - a meal shared between Jesus and his disciples.
Ancient work with a later iron support.
Exceptional quality.
Medieval, possibly post medieval.
The above photographs detail items that we have sold over the past few years which fall into the following categories:
Antiquities including items from the following periods:Bronze age, iron age, Celtic, Roman, Saxon, Carolingian, Norman, Medieval, Tudor as well as early Chinese items particularly from the Tang and Ming Dynasties including important terracotta warriors.
Bible Boxes and Writing Slopes from the 16th Century to the 18th Century with many of the Bible Boxes and Writing Slopes being carved in the 17th Century.
Cupboards from the 15th Century to the 18th Century including Elizabethan Court Cupboards, Livery Cupboards, Joined Cupboards, Press Cupboards, Dressoirs, Gothic Cupboards, Deuddarns, Armoires, Corner Cupboards, Spice Cabinets, Housekeepers Cupboards and Hanging Cupboards.
Desks and Bureaux including Bureau Bookcases.
Dressers from the 17th Century to the Early 19th Century including 17th Century Low Dressers with three of four drawers, Welsh Dressers, Dressers with a rack, Canopied Dressers, Pot Board Dressers, Turned Leg Dressers, Cabriole Leg Dressers, Cupboard Base Dressers and Breakfront Dressers or inverted Breakfront Dressers.
Chairs and Stools from the 16th Century to the 18th Century including Joint Stools, Joined Stools, Dining Chairs, sets of Kitchen Chairs, sets of Country Chairs, pairs of Chairs, Wing Back Chairs, Wainscot Chairs, Windsor Chairs, Primitive Chairs, Upholstered Chairs and Back Stools.
Chests and Coffers from the 14th Century to the 18th Century including Gothic Boxes, Gothic Chests, Panelled Coffers, Six Plank Coffers, Carved Coffers, Westphalian Chests, Carved Chests and Mule Chests.
Chests of Drawers from the 17th Century to the early 19th Century including 17th Century Geometric Chests of Drawers, Cushion Moulded Chests of Drawers, Flat Fronted Chests Of Drawers, Georgian Chests Of Drawers most of which are constructed from oak, walnut with one being made out of solid laburnum.
Other Items which include individual pieces which do not fall into any other category such as Tester Beds, Book Presses, Pole Screens, Pictures, Chandeliers, Cradles, Mirrors, Wall Brackets and Embossed Leather Screens.
Carvings and Statues dating from the Roman and Celtic period though to the 14th to 17th Century. The wooden statues are normally carved from oak, walnut or lime wood and sometimes polychromed. Those worked from stone are normally the earlier examples including corbels from buildings or full length statues out of a soft stone or marble and sometimes busts. Busts and statues worked in metal will be cast in bronze, iron or lead with most of the Roman and Celtic statues being cast in bronze.
Settles and Settees which include items from the 16th Century through to the early 19th Century including Box Settles, Open Base Settles, Winged Settles, Bacon Settles, High Back Settles, Low Back Settles, Cantou, Cabriole Leg Settles, Canopied Settles, Wing Back Settees, Cabriole leg Settees and Knole Sofas.
Metalwork dating from 14th Century through to the 18th Century including Iron Smelting Ladles, Brass Chamber Sticks, Eel Spears, Barrel Taps, Iron Spear Heads/Spikes, Iron Cauldrons, Bronze Cauldrons Skillets, Bronze/Bell Metal Pans, Pewter Jugs, Pewter Plates, Pewter Bowls, Pewter Spoons, Brass/Bronze Hippocampus, Rush Nips, Bronze Wall Plaques, Italian Bronze Wall Plaques, Bronze Wick Trimmers, Brandy Warmers, Candlesticks, Alms Dish Depicting Adam and Eve, Early Choppers, Strong Boxes, Brass Tobacco Box, Pewter Bottle, Brass Cooking Pots, Waffle Makers and Bronze Pestle and Mortars.
Stonework dating from the Celtic and Roman period right though to the Medieval and Tudor Periods. Such items normally include, Stone Corbels, Stone Capitals, Stone Mortars, Stone Grotesques, Stone Busts and Stone Heads.
Tables dating from the 16th century through to the early 19th century including items such as Refectory Tables, Farmhouse Tables, Extending Farmhouse Dining Tables, Serving Tables, Altar tables, Hall Tables, Cricket Tables, Side Tables, Single Drawers Side Tables, Centre Tables, Gate Leg Tables, Architect Tables, Coaching Tables, tripod Tables, Tilt Top Tables, Altar Tables, Tripod Tables, Cricket tables, Side Tables, Centre Tables, Writing Tables and Primitive Tables.
Tapestries dating from the 16th Century 17th century and 18th Century including Tapestries from Aubusson in France and Flemish Tapestries.
If you do not see exactly what you are looking for please contact us. We have many items in storage awaiting restoration and can undertake a search for you through our extensive client base and associated trade contacts which we have built up over the past 25 years.
