16th Century Flemish Oak Strong Box Trunk With Iron Strapwork

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The beautifully carved front façade is not the only impressive element of this oak strongbox trunk; the interior is reinforced … Read more The beautifully carved front façade is not the only impressive element of this oak strongbox trunk; the interior is reinforced with an iron strapwork “cage”, strengthening the already robust trunk. Hand-carved during the Renaissance period (the 1500s), the Flemish (current-day Belgium) trunk has a highly carved scene on the frontage. In the center is a circular cartouche of a bearded man presented in profile (side-view faces were common motifs during the Renaissance). A pair of arching moldings extend from each side of the cartouche, segmenting the elaborate floral rinceaux that are dotted with cherubs and foliate mascarons.

Upon opening the thinly molded lid (it stays upright with the aid of a chain arm), the well-engineered strapwork is exposed, adding a unique aesthetic appeal as well as structural integrity. Exposed nailheads used to affix the iron straps can be seen on the lid and the back, adding character to the 400+-year-old trunk. Large looping handles are attached to each side, affixed by a geometric mount, allowing the trunk to be repositioned or transferred to another room. A wonderful storage piece, our Flemish strongbox trunk can be used in a bedroom, living room, or office. See less