Object Description
A fine and extremely rare 17th century William and Mary baroque olive oyster chest on stand or ‘table box’, circa 1675-1690.
The exquisitely designed top, cross-grain moulded and holly banded, is decorated in many symmetrical line strung patterns in a geometric fashion, each incorporating hand-cut oyster of olive and opening to reveal a baize lined interior.
Similarly, the holly banded frieze and oak-lined base drawer are each decorated in book-matched oysters of olive, inside opposing break arches of box, each book-matched and placed with precision.
Olive oysters are placed in roundels to the crossbanded sides and a gilt brass carrying handles are fixed to each centre. Raised on a later wavy stretcher, barley twist legs and bun feet.
This piece would make a fantastic silver chest.