A history of oak furniture . An arcade of interlaced semi-circula ? arches of the TransitionNorman period is incised on the front panel and uprights of this probably uniquepiece, which can hardly have emanated from a later period than the last quarter ofthe twelfth century. A coffer in Graveney Church, Kent, which exhibits incisedcarving of a similarly early kind, follows close upon its heels; but as the arcading inthe Graveney example is composed of pointed and cusped arches of the subsequentEarly English style, it is obvious that the priority of some years must be given tothe Hindringham rel
A history of oak furniture . An arcade of interlaced semi-circula ? arches of the TransitionNorman period is incised on the front panel and uprights of this probably uniquepiece, which can hardly have emanated from a later period than the last quarter ofthe twelfth century. A coffer in Graveney Church, Kent, which exhibits incisedcarving of a similarly early kind, follows close upon its heels; but as the arcading inthe Graveney example is composed of pointed and cusped arches of the subsequentEarly English style, it is obvious that the priority of some years must be given tothe Hindringham relic. Coffers of this period, down to the end of the thirteenth century, were notprovided in the ordinary way with hinges, the lids revolving on iron pins which wereinserted horizontally through the back uprights, while the rear panels were oftenprotected by chains. It has been conjectured by some, from observing fragments ofthese chains remaining, that they were attached for the purpose of fastening such ,.*• Plate z aI as a en a: A HISTORY OF OAK FURNITURE 5 coffers to the wall, but this is a fallacy, as their intention was really the safeguardingof the receptacle from illicit attack by strengthening the connection of the lid withthe body. The uprights of these coffers are invariably of great width, and arefrequently termed standards. A thirteenth-century coffer of small size exists atPitstone, Bucks., in which the standards are wider than the central panel. Thirteenth-century coffers which exhibit elaborate carving or geometrical roundelsincised on their fronts exist, among other places, at the churches of Saltwood, Kent;Stoke dAbernon, Surrey, Earl Stonham, Suffolk; Westminster Abbey, and YorkCathedral. Sussex is also particularly rich in thirteenth-century carved coffers, notablythose remaining at the churches of Buxted, Clymping, Felpham, Alidhurst, SouthBersted, and Chichester Cathedral. Coffers bound with iron scrollwork, and approximating to the same perio
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1920, bookidhistoryofoak, bookyear1920
