Elizabethan Late 16th Century Heavily Carved Oak Coffer Circa 1590 (Tudor, Chest, Kist, Trunk)

This remarkably rare and deeply carved Elizabethan oak coffer is a striking example of West Country design, dating to the late 16th century (circa 1590-1600). This exceptional piece with three-panel hinged lid and original wire loop hinges, featuring an appropriate 18th-century lock replacement and working key. The coffer is a testament to the period's craftsmanship, profusely carved across its entirety. The front frieze commands attention with its highly ornate continuous scrollwork, accented by applied ram and lion heads at either end, set above a punch-moulded rail. Below, the three-panel arcades with carved trees, though the tops of the arcades and some capitals and bases are now lost to time, adding to its authentic antiquity. Floral rosettes deeply carved into the side panels and elegant linenfold moulding framing both front and sides complete its decorative schema. This coffer has a notable provenance: a direct link to the historic Scrope family of Danby Hall, near Leyburn, North Yorkshire. This lineage is tangibly confirmed by 1960 paperwork found within, detailing its contents and ownership, along with a fascinating 17th-century Bible bearing Scrope family scribblings – all invaluable historical artifacts accompanying this chest.