DOI issue:
Nr. 213 (December 1910)
DOI article:Levetus, A. S.: Some ancient swiss coffers
DOI Page / Citation link:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.20971#0230
Ancient Swiss Coffers
FIG. 17.—COFFER FROM HANDS, CANTON GLARUS, WITH ARMS OF FLACTION d’yVERTON AND THOMASSEL d’oRBE
FAMILIES. DATE l6l2
(Landesmuseum, Zurich)
Renaissance, which began to make itself felt in
Switzerland between the years 1520-1530. It
belongs to that period, and is from Burgdorf, in
Canton Berne. The division into fields was unusual
at this period, the preference still being for long
flat surfaces on which to carve. Each field has a
different design, though all are formed of interlacing
bands and scrolls, and some letters and numbers
have been cut into the bands, but it has not been
possible to transcribe their meaning.
Fig. 10 likewise shows the influence of the Re-
naissance. It originally came from Canton Valais
—a land full of surprises
for those in search of beau-
tiful specimens of wood-
carving. This specimen!
which dates back to about
1520, is particularly inter-
esting. The front has two
small panels of equal size
and a large central one.
The heroes carved upon it
are those of the Old Testa-
ment, David, Saul, Moab,
and Solomon, while St.
George and the Dragon
have been introduced as if
to separate the pairs of
kings. Between each king is
a column formed of a series
of ornaments placed one
over and against the other.
The lozenge-shaped ornament of the next coffer
(Fig. 11) is an early example of South German
renaissance. It is dated 1539 and is from Hutwyl,
in Canton Turgau. At this period intarsias were
beginning to come into favour. This particular
coffer is made of walnut, the inlay being of maple
and other natural light-toned woods.
Fig 12 shows another example of the peasants
art, with the date 1524 carved on its face. The
ornament is a curious mixture of Gothic and Re-
naissance as the peasant understood them. The
contours have been coloured in order to throw the
FIG. l8.—MONASTERY COFFER, DATED 1614
(Landesmuseuni, Zurich)
209
FIG. 17.—COFFER FROM HANDS, CANTON GLARUS, WITH ARMS OF FLACTION d’yVERTON AND THOMASSEL d’oRBE
FAMILIES. DATE l6l2
(Landesmuseum, Zurich)
Renaissance, which began to make itself felt in
Switzerland between the years 1520-1530. It
belongs to that period, and is from Burgdorf, in
Canton Berne. The division into fields was unusual
at this period, the preference still being for long
flat surfaces on which to carve. Each field has a
different design, though all are formed of interlacing
bands and scrolls, and some letters and numbers
have been cut into the bands, but it has not been
possible to transcribe their meaning.
Fig. 10 likewise shows the influence of the Re-
naissance. It originally came from Canton Valais
—a land full of surprises
for those in search of beau-
tiful specimens of wood-
carving. This specimen!
which dates back to about
1520, is particularly inter-
esting. The front has two
small panels of equal size
and a large central one.
The heroes carved upon it
are those of the Old Testa-
ment, David, Saul, Moab,
and Solomon, while St.
George and the Dragon
have been introduced as if
to separate the pairs of
kings. Between each king is
a column formed of a series
of ornaments placed one
over and against the other.
The lozenge-shaped ornament of the next coffer
(Fig. 11) is an early example of South German
renaissance. It is dated 1539 and is from Hutwyl,
in Canton Turgau. At this period intarsias were
beginning to come into favour. This particular
coffer is made of walnut, the inlay being of maple
and other natural light-toned woods.
Fig 12 shows another example of the peasants
art, with the date 1524 carved on its face. The
ornament is a curious mixture of Gothic and Re-
naissance as the peasant understood them. The
contours have been coloured in order to throw the
FIG. l8.—MONASTERY COFFER, DATED 1614
(Landesmuseuni, Zurich)
209