FLANDERS OR ENGLAND STRONGBOX, late 17th-early... Lot 58

FLANDERS OR ENGLAND STRONGBOX, late 17th-early 18th CENTURY Rosewood veneer, violet wood, rosewood; gilt brass and bronze 18th century rosewood veneer legs H. 75 cm, W. 56 cm, D. 35 cm Provenance: Segoura sale, Christie's, New York, 19 October 2006, lot 216. James Grafstein Collection, Christie's, New York, November 21, 2008, lot 44 This chest is beautifully decorated with brass plates, hinges and spandrels, finely underlined with pinkish pastilles. The lid opens to reveal a compartment and the front has a flap revealing six small drawers. Two side handles allow the transport. It rests on a Regency period rosewood veneer base with later bronze ornamentation. Such safes were luxury objects intended for rich owners to keep their valuables safe and to be able to transport them if necessary. They were sold by cabinetmakers who built and veneered the frame, often using tropical hardwood veneers. They then made sets of mounts, handles and locks purchased from brass foundries. The elaborate veneer and striking brass mounts show that the decorative appearance of these objects was important as was the security provided to the owner (Fig. 1). Like the present safe, they were often displayed on specially made wooden stands shortly after, if not at the time of purchase.