A late 17th century strong box [Coffre fort, fr.] with elaborate brass strapwork mounts:  this is veneered throughout with ‘oyster cut’ kingwood, or prince’s wood, veneers.

Late 17th-century

Height - 11"     Width - 18"     Depth - 11 1/2"

These strong boxes would have contained valuables, cash or jewels.  They frequently had an elaborate locking system. There was great demand for these and they were made in several sizes.  It is common to find them mounted on later stands, but they do not seem to have been originally supplied with a stand.  Traditionally they are thought to have been either Flemish or Dutch. I my travels I have seen in many countries & so it is likely these were exported throughout Europe.  During this period banks were few and there was no such thing as a safe depository, so valuables would be kept in a secure chest or strongbox like this, and resided in a muniment room or vault. The ones at Ham House, Richmond, Surrey, were usually kept in an inner room – one that was much frequented. [There were several listed on the inventories of 1677 and 1683].