Studio: international art (51.1911)

Ancient Swiss Coffers

( Historical Museum, Basle)

Fig. 6 is a fine piece of
workmanship. It comes from
Melingen, in Canton Aargau,
and dates from the early
sixteenth century. The diaper
has been repeated with re-
markable precision and surety
of workmanship, which makes
the coffer rank as a first-class
work. Its very simplicity adds
to its charm, while the sup-
porting ends with their scroll
device serve to enhance the
beauty of the profile.

Figs. 7 and 8 are both
specimens of early sixteenth-
century work from Egg, in the
Canton of Zurich. The former
is ornamented with pierced
carving, the latter with pierced

coffer is doubtful, for it has
changed hands.

In Fig. 4 we have work-
manship of a higher order.
This coffer originally came
from Kiissnacht, in the
Canton Zurich, and its simple
logical construction and well-
balanced proportions make it
singularly attractive. At first
.sight it seems to have been
slipped into uprights, but
nearer observation shows
this not to be the case.

Fig. 5 is an example of
the peasant’s art, and an
■excellent one too. Its date
is about 1500, and its original
home was in Les Grisons.
The wood-carver has tried his
hand at both pierced and
chip carving, and obtained a
pleasing effect. On nearer
■observation it will be seen
that he has forgotten one
little bit, namely the lower
left-hand corner of the right-
hand field. The designs too
■on the uprights are different,
showing that there has been
mo attempt at uniformity.

FIG. 13.—WALNUT COFFER, PROBABLY A BRIDAL CHEST. DATE 1552
(Latidesmuseum, Zurich)

FIG. 14.—COFFER FROM MONTHY, CANTON VALAIS, PROBABLY A BRIDAL CHEST.

DATE 1580

(Landesmusetim, Zurich)

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