Stock No: 16969

A very large late sixteenth century 'Nonsuch' chest with extensive marquetry and original hinges and lock. This vast chest conforms to the 'Nonsuch' model, with dovetailed boards and marquetry inspired by the architectural prints of the period. Extant examples of these chests are very rare, so we are delighted to have it one our collection.

English, late 16th century with separate 17th century base.

Notes: Chests such as these were sometimes thought to have been made in Germany, but it is now known that they were made in London - particularly Southwark - by German and Netherlandish immigrants from about 1560. In the twentieth century, these chests gained the name of 'Nonsuch chests' as the marquetry was wrongly thought to depict Henry VIII's Nonsuch Palace in Surrey.

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