Studio: international art (32.1904)

Some Ancient JVedding-Coffers

feet, which are also gilt.
It is of massive propor-
tions, and capable of
holding a trousseau large
enough to satisfy the most
exacting bride. This coffer,
which is of Italian work-
manship and belongs to
the sixteenth century, was
bought by the authorities
of the Museum at the
Castellani sale in 1884

ENGLISH WEDDING-COFFER SEVENTEENTH CENTURY for ^34 \OS.

Another very beautiful
wedding - coffer is shown

on her marriage by her father, the King oi in our next illustration. It is made of solid oak

Denmark. It is many centuries old, and is carved with a conventional floral pattern. The

supposed to have belonged to the beautiful sides, top, and back are plain. On either side of

daughter of a famous viking. the key-hole is incised the following legend: "This

In the South Kensington Museum may be seen is Esther Hobsonne chist, 1637." Though the

many wedding-coffers of great beauty and antiquity, writer has made many enquiries as to who

One of the most elaborate, perhaps, is that shown Esther Hobsonne was, he has only been able to

in our first illustration. It is made entirely of discover that she was the daughter of a gentleman

chestnut-wood, is oblong in shape, and has a raised who lived in Chester during the early part of the

lid. The panels, bands, and pilasters are decorated seventeenth century, and married a certain William

with flowers and foliage in raised stucco, richly Hobsonne in 1638. This wedding-coffer, which is

gilt. At each side there is a band of gilt foliage of English make, was probably made specially for

on a dark ground. The coffer rests on four claw- Esther Hobsonne, as the workmanship dates back

PANEL OF ITALIAN WEDDING-COFFER FIFTEENTH CENTURY

FRONT OF WEDDING-COFFER, PROBABLY ITALIAN

3°4

FIFTEENTH CENTURY