Early 17th-Century Diminutive German Antique Armada Chest

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS CHEST CANNOT BE SHIPPED UNTIL MID-SEPTEMBER

A Fine Early 17th-Century German Polychrome-Decorated Wrought Iron Armada Chest On Its Original Stand, Circa 1600–1640, Probably Nuremberg.

A handsome and richly decorated example of the celebrated Nuremberg strongbox, known in the trade as an Armada chest, of rectangular form and constructed entirely of wrought iron sheet bound by riveted strapwork. The exterior retains its polychrome-painted decoration, the strapwork with scrolling foliate ornament in tones of green and black, the reserves between painted with landscape vignettes to the front — one depicting a windmill in the Netherlandish taste — and floral sprays within panels to the lid and sides, the domed rivet heads picked out in gilt.

The chest is fitted with the characteristic elaborate locking mechanism to the underside of the lid, the multiple spring bolts thrown simultaneously by a single key through the concealed keyhole to the lid centre, protected by a finely pierced and engraved steel lockplate of scrolling design set against a red-painted ground. The prominent lockplate to the front, of pierced foliate cartouche form centred by a keyhole, is a false escutcheon — a deliberate deception typical of these chests, intended to frustrate the unfamiliar thief. Twin hasps to the front for padlocks, and substantial forged iron ring carrying handles to each end.

Most unusually, the chest survives on its original wrought iron stand with pierced acanthus scrollwork spandrels, decorated en suite — the great majority of surviving Armada chests having long since parted company with their stands. The later ball feet are a sympathetic addition.

Chests of this type were produced principally in Nuremberg and Augsburg from the late 16th century and exported throughout Europe, serving as strongboxes for coins, plate, and documents in merchant houses, guilds, and parish churches. The romantic association with the Spanish Armada of 1588 is a Victorian invention, but the name has endured. The interior is painted in the traditional red lead.

Provenance: Germany. Early 17th-Century.

Material: Iron with decorative polychrome panels.

Condition: Complete with working key — increasingly uncommon in surviving examples. In good condition commensurate with age, the original paint with old retouching, the decoration to the lid refreshed at a later date. The mechanism in working order. The stand is original. Later bun feet have been attached to the base of the supports.

Dimensions: 24¾ in (63 cm); Width: 22 in (56 cm); Depth: 13¼ in (33.5 cm)