Superb Welsh Tulip Head and Line-Inlaid Oak Coffer

This substantial coffer is made entirely from dense native oak (including the drawer linings), with an array of rectangular fielded panels to the sides and also the front which is inlaid with distinctive, curving, holly or boxwood line-inlaid designs with tulip head terminals. This type of inlaid design with flowing lines ending in leaves and flowerheads was especially popular in the coastal counties of Pembrokeshire and Glamorganshire during the first half of the 18th century and can be found on coffers, cupboards, boxes, chests, dressers and even chairs. The initials “KD” on the top rail suggest the coffer may have been a marriage piece. Some original brassware. Excellent colour and patina.
Vale of Glamorgan or South Pembrokeshire, circa 1720-40.

Dimensions:

144cms wide x 89cms high x 58.5cms deep

Related Literature:

Richard Bebb, “Welsh Furniture, 1250-1950” Saer Books, 2007, Vol ll, page 68, 746 and page 380, 1348, for an almost identical coffer, probably from the same workshop. Bebb illustrates a number of other pieces with related line inlay on pages 65 (fig 740), 66 (figs 741 and 743), 68 (fig 747), 69 (figs 748 and 749), 71 (fig 759), 73 (fig 769), 76 (fig 779) and 79 (fig 783)