Rare Early Renaissance Wrought Iron Mounted Oak Chest or Stollentruhe

View Similar Items

Rare Late Medieval 16th Century German Wrought Iron Oak Chest or Stollentruhe

17th Century German Iron-Mounted Oak Chest / Trunk "Stollentruhe"

Rare (Late Medieval) 16th Century German Wrought Iron Oak Chest or Stollentruhe

Rare Late Medieval 16th Century German Wrought Iron Oak Chest

Very Rare Large Victorian Photographers Chest Bank of Drawers Collectors Chest

17th Century English Oak And Walnut Chest

Rare Gothic German Oak and Iron Chest Known as "Stollentruhe"

Rare circa 1780 Continental Parquetry Marquetry Inlaid Commode Chest of Drawers

Louis XV Chest of Drawers in Light Oak 18th Century

Art Deco Chest of Drawers / Sideboard in Oak Rosewood, circa 1930

Rare William Hinn Curved Chest of Drawers in Walnut with Skeletal Frame

French Louis Philippe style 4-drawer chest - commode in solid oak craft made

Want more images or videos?

Request additional images or videos from the seller

1 of 7

Rare Early Renaissance Wrought Iron Mounted Oak Chest or Stollentruhe

About the Item

The large rectangular standing chest with full-height stiles, extensively mounted with wrought ironwork straps with quatrefoil finials which 'wrap' around the chest edges. These are fixed with convex head nails: running vertically up the front six straps; running around both sides, three C-shape horizontal straps; running from the back to the front of the lid nine long straps. The ironwork with some remains of the original tinned surface. On the chest front, centrally placed, is a large, quatrefoil iron lockplate with four corner trefoil finials and two more superimposed trefoil finials, which receives a corresponding external hasp fitted to the lid. Below the floor of the chest, the two front legs are finely carved on the front face, in low relief with a rectangular 'panel' depicting on the left a man’s bust in profile, within a laurel wreath surrounded by leafy stems; on the right a woman’s bust. Both man and woman are dressed in early 16th century style, the bearded man is wearing a hat with a large feather, the woman a typical cap and a necklace. The lid is very heavy and is supported on three substantial iron strap hinges that extend right down the back of the chest. Inside the chest at the left end is a shallow, oak till with lid. The inside is later painted in red. Historical context note: This type of large rectangular standing chest in oak, elaborately mounted with long ironwork straps, is known as a 'stollentruhe' (from its construction using thick boards 'stollen') and was made from at least 1170 (dated by dendrochronology), and continued to be made into the 17th century. Distinctive features include: the vertical ends (as opposed to slanted ends held by rails); the 'clamp-front' method of construction, by which a large front board is jointed into full-height stiles using a single, long tenon; a lid with small or no overhang held on two hinges. Some make prominent use of metal bands; others incorporate carved decoration on the front legs. The type has become closely associated with northern Westphalia (in central, western Germany ). Although certain examples are fitted with carrying handles (and although all chests are portable to some extent), the great weight of this type of chest (approx. 100kg empty), the plain backs and decorative carving and ironwork indicative that they were essentially static pieces of furniture - combining large storage capacity and a reasonable measure of security with conspicuous display. In addition to their impressive proportions and height off the ground (keeping the contents away from damp or dirty floors), their most showy aspect was the wrought and cut ironwork mounts. The multiple iron straps fulfil a dual role: principally decorative but also reinforcing the structural wood joints. Evidently such chests were intended to be secure: the timbers and hinges (a notorious weakpoint of chests) are notably robust and some examples are fitted with additional hasps. The central lock-plates on these chests are particularly impressive but in terms of security represent the weak point of the chest. In the same way as keys were displayed as a badge of status by officers of the household and women in medieval Europe, ornate locks on doors and chests were part of a concern to draw attention to household wealth and its distribution on controlled terms. Whatever the contents of such chests, they were a way to assert the authority of the owner. Function: Chests (of all shapes and sizes) were the most common form of furniture in late medieval households. Even poor households are likely to have had at least one, while the inventories of great households can list hundreds. They were used to hold all manner of goods: coin, plate and personal jewels, clothes and textiles, vestments and chapel ornaments, muniments, books, arms and armour, lights, grain and bread. A practical disadvantage of large chests was accessing contents especially smaller objects at the bottom. Most chests of any quality have a built-in, lidded compartment or 'till' across one or both ends. These must have been convenient for smaller valuables (and perhaps candles), and some were fitted with their own lock. Baumeier argues that 'stollentruhe'chests were commissioned by the urban bourgeoisie (for example rich merchants and farmers), especially for a new wife’s trousseau. They were used by both women and men, principally used for clothing and textiles but also containing weapons (harness and swords), documents, jewellery and money. After the death of the owner the contents (if clothing or metal objects) is sometimes recorded as remaining in the chest until the heirs come of age. They are generally fitted with a lockable container (Beilade) or till at the right or left side. Unfortunately no contemporary image of a room with a Westphalian studded chest with iron fittings has been found. Provenance: Private collection Frankfurt a.M. Literature: Baumeier, Stefan, Beschlagene Kisten; Die ältesten Truhen Westfalens, Essen, 2012. Falke, Otto von, Deutsche Möbel des Mittelalters und der Renaissance, Stuttgart, 1924, plates 85, 86 and 87. Kreisel, Heinrich, Die Kunst des deutschen Möbels, Von den Anfängen bis zum Hochbarock, München, 1968, Vol. I, plate 45, Sammlung Kurpfälzisches Museum, Heidelberg. Stülpnagel, Karl Heinrich von, Die gotischen Truhen der Lüneburger Heideklöster, Cloppenburg, 2000. Windisch-Graetz, Franz, Möbel Europas, Vol. I, Von der Romanik zur Spätgotik, München, 1982, Abb.: 146, Sammlung Germanisches Nationalmuseum, Nürnberg.

Dimensions:
Height: 38.78 in (98.5 cm)Width: 68.9 in (175 cm)Depth: 24.02 in (61 cm)
Style:
Renaissance (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Iron,Oak,Carved
Place of Origin:
Germany
Period:
16th Century
Date of Manufacture:
circa 1500-1550
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use. The red paint of the inside of later date (probably 19th century), Key replaced.
Seller Location:
Worpswede / Bremen, DE
Reference Number:
Seller: 20581stDibs: LU981415424472

More From This Seller

View All

Rare Late Medieval 16th Century German Wrought Iron Oak Chest or Stollentruhe

Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE

A very impressive Westphalian Gothic chest or ‚Stollentruhe’, Westphalia, Germany, circa 1500-1550. Wrought iron mounted oak, partially carved. The monumental rectangular standing chest with full-height stiles, extensively mounted with wrought ironwork straps terminating in quatrefoil finials which ’wrap’ around the chest edges. These are fixed with convex head nails. The ironwork with some remains of an originally red painted surface. In addition, running along the edges of the lid at the front and sides is a plain iron band, close-nailed. The feet of the two front legs are finely carved on the front face, in low relief with a rectangular arched ’panel’ depicting on the left a lion, on the right a dragon holding each a coat of arms. Regarding the age of circa 500 years, this coffer is in exceptionally good condition, with only smaller restorations. Comparative literature • Baumeier, Stefan, Beschlagene Kisten; Die ältesten Truhen Westfalens, Essen, 2012. • Falke, Otto von, Deutsche Möbel...

Category

Antique 16th Century German Medieval Blanket Chests

Materials

Iron

Rare Late Medieval 16th Century German Wrought Iron Oak Chest or Stollentruhe

$56,219

17th Century German Iron-Mounted Oak Chest / Trunk "Stollentruhe"

Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE

A 17th century German oak chest ("Stollentruhe") in the medieval/ Gothic tradition. The rectangular hinged top with three iron straps, enclosing a plain interior with one hinged smal...

Category

Antique 17th Century German Baroque Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Oak

17th Century German Iron-Mounted Oak Chest / Trunk "Stollentruhe"

$17,185

Rare Victorian Mid-19th Century Gothic Revival Library Architects Plan Chest

Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE

A neo-gothic mid-19th century library plan chest having an arrangement of eleven short and three long drawers to one side, the other side with three short drawers above gothic style linen fold panelling, centred with the carved monogram ‘HP’, further matching panelling to the sides. A stunning plan chest of good propartions and with a nice patina. Provenance: Sherborne School, an independent school in north-west Dorset, England, established in 1550. Among the ‘Old Shirburnians’ are for example the writer John Cowper Powys, the actors Jeremy Irons und Charlie Cox, Chris Martin, leadsinger of the band Coldplay as well as Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani...

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century English Gothic Revival Commodes and Chests of D...

Materials

Oak

Rare Victorian Mid-19th Century Gothic Revival Library Architects Plan Chest

$28,109

Jaques Adnet large French Sideboard 1940's Maple and Leather

By Jacques Adnet

Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE

This exceptionally large and excellently crafted sideboard from France dates from around 1940 and is attributed to the French star designer Jaques Adnet (1900-1984). Although some o...

Category

Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Sideboards

Materials

Leather, Mahogany, Maple

Jaques Adnet large French Sideboard 1940's Maple and Leather

$32,294

Rare Pair of Early 19th Century Empire Bronze Vases, French or German

Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE

A rare and decorative pair of early 19th century Empire gilt and patinated bronze vases of campana form on a stepped square marble base. The everted egg-and-dart rim above a finely chased frieze depicting putti playing music. This or a similar pair of vases belonged to the collection of the Queen Louise of Prussia...

Category

Antique 19th Century French Empire Vases

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Rare Pair of Early 19th Century Empire Bronze Vases, French or German

$15,947 / set

Danish 18th Century Rococo Walnut Commode Mathias Ortmann

By Mathias Ortmann

Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE

A very charming and small Danish parcel-gilt walnut and burr-walnut commode by Mathias Ortmann, mid-18th century. The shaped veneered top above moulded frieze with punched ground inc...

Category

Antique Mid-18th Century Danish Rococo Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Bronze

Danish 18th Century Rococo Walnut Commode Mathias Ortmann

$25,241

Antique 16th Century German Gothic Blanket Chests

Materials

Wrought Iron

Rare (Late Medieval) 16th Century German Wrought Iron Oak Chest or Stollentruhe

$36,000

Rare Late Medieval 16th Century German Wrought Iron Oak Chest

Located in grand Lancy, CH

A very impressive Westphalian Gothic chest or ‚Stollentruhe’, Westphalia, Germany, circa 1500-1550. Wrought iron mounted oak, partially carved. The monumental rectangular standing ch...

Category

Antique 16th Century German Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Iron

Rare Late Medieval 16th Century German Wrought Iron Oak Chest

$32,700

Very Rare Large Victorian Photographers Chest Bank of Drawers Collectors Chest

Located in West Sussex, Pulborough

We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning original Victorian photographers bank / chest of drawers A very lovely piece in lightly restored condition throughout, we have deep cleaned hand condition waxed and hand polished it This chest of drawers has sat unused since 1944, it was recently found and when cleaned out was full of Victorian photographic lenses, glasses, all manor of weird and wonderful things, I’ll be selling the all the pieces in one large job lot...

Category

Antique 19th Century British Victorian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Very Rare Large Victorian Photographers Chest Bank of Drawers Collectors Chest

$3,426

17th Century English Oak And Walnut Chest

Located in Lymington, GB

An English oak and walnut chest of drawers. Charles II period (1630-1685). The drawer fronts with walnut inserts of superb colour. The substantial moulded top has cleated ends. Cont...

Category

Antique 1660s English Charles II Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Oak

17th Century English Oak And Walnut Chest

$3,919

Rare circa 1780 Continental Parquetry Marquetry Inlaid Commode Chest of Drawers

Located in West Sussex, Pulborough

We are delighted to offer for sale very rare circa 1780 Continental Parquetry and Marquetry inlaid chest of drawers A very good lo...

Category

Antique 1780s English Georgian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Fruitwood, Walnut

Rare circa 1780 Continental Parquetry Marquetry Inlaid Commode Chest of Drawers

$3,837 Sale Price

20% Off

Rare Gothic German Oak and Iron Chest Known as "Stollentruhe"

Located in Saint-Ouen, FR

This large chest stands on high legs prolonging the lateral jambs. Presenting a sober and severe appearance the chest still belongs to the Medieval tradition. The piece is made from very high quality Hungarian wood. The jambs are joined to the facade and the lateral sides thanks to pegged mortise and tenon securing a great stability and squareness between each parts. The upper lid is made of two joined parts and so is the facade. The ironwork is present all over the surface of the chest and brings both an additional stability to the construction as well as a rich decor. The lid is secured with hinges. Hinges also run all over the chest in horizontal and vertical lines, ending in a floral motif. The hasp lock is also very ornamental. Those chests always present important proportions especially when they are made early in the period. This model was very popular in Germany and stayed in vogue until the 16th century. However the feet Gothic decor...

Category