Huge 17th C. Austrian Wood / Iron Bound Armada Chest

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Fine Antiquities, Ethnographic & Fine Art

By Artemis Gallery

Aug 13, 2020

Set Reminder 2020-08-13 10:00:00 2020-08-13 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Fine Antiquities, Ethnographic & Fine Art https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/fine-antiquities-ethnographic-fine-art-5415
Features classical antiquities, ancient and ethnographic art from cultures encompassing the globe. Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Etruscan, Near Eastern, Asian, Pre-Columbian, Native American, African / Tribal, Oceanic, Spanish Colonial, Russian, Fine Art, so much more! Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com

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• Lot Description
  Europe, Austria or Germany, ca. 1695 CE. Wow! A massive wooden, iron-bound chest that instantly conjures adventure and intrigue. It features a complex locking mechanism consisting of three fixed and eight moving bolts. There is a keyhole cover operated by a hidden button on the lid. All of the locks are still functional with key included so the treasure chest can be locked closed and opened as you wish - though it was a long-time mystery here in at Artemis about how to do so, finally solved by a clever member of our shipping department! The date is on the plate covering the locking mechanism, which is also engraved with a motif of people, birds, and foliage. The engraving continues on the interior bordering the lock plate and under the main lid (there is a secondary lid to accommodate the hidden keyhole). The maker's initials, "P.S.", are stamped around the edges of the lid. The exterior features dramatic ironwork, twin hasps, twin heavy iron handles, and two painted identical checkered red and yellow shields. Size: 16.4" L x 29.45" W x 17" H (41.7 cm x 74.8 cm x 43.2 cm)
  
  "Armada chests" were iron-bound storage chests or strongboxes made in the 16th and 17th centuries for storing valuables. The Victorians bestowed the romantic name "Armada chest" on them. They may have been inspired by a very similar chest kept in the "Spanish armoury" at the Tower of London, a room that was on display from the time of Charles II (r. 1660 to 1685) until the 20th century (then merged into the still-on-display Royal Armouries) and which was said to contain weapons, instruments of torture, and other curiosities from the Spanish Armada of Elizabeth I's reign (r. 1558 to 1603). In reality, chests like this one were made in Germany and Austria, often used by officers at sea and bolted to the floor of the ship.
  
  A similar example sold at Christie's London on March 8, 2011 for GBP 7500 (approximately USD $13000) (Lot 145).
  
  Provenance: private Glorieta, New Mexico, USA collection; ex-Montgomery collection, Bakersfield, California USA, bought in 1980; ex-O. M. Treutler Holdings, Ltd., Banff, Canada, bought in 1972; ex-Robert Abels collection, New York, USA, purchased from Wallis & Wallis, Lewes, England
  
  All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
  
  A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
  
  We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
  
  #149341

  Condition

  Wear commensurate with age. Interior contains dozens of 20th C. Canadian pennies which are obviously not original to the chest and the interior has also been repainted at some point in the past. The chest can be opened. The lock plate cover is slightly bent and there is rich patina on all surfaces.
• Shipping Info

  • All shipping is handled in-house for your convenience. Your invoice from Artemis Gallery will include shipping calculation instructions. If in doubt, please inquire BEFORE bidding for estimated shipping costs for individual items.

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