Large 16th Century French Gothic Trunk, France, 1580s

Description

Large solid oak chest from the 16th century Gothic period
Very pretty French, Norman work.
Decorated with Gothic motifs on … more Large solid oak chest from the 16th century Gothic period
Very pretty French, Norman work.
Decorated with Gothic motifs on 5 panels on the facade.

Note reassembly in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Hand forged iron lock.

16th century - France - Normandy

Chests, like this one, were transported from castle to castle as they moved. Thus they were used as furniture in castles but also as travel trunks to transport personal effects.

Period Gothic furniture is extremely rare. Indeed, many were destroyed or burned due to lack of maintenance, a change of taste or simple necessity. Paintings by artists like Bruegel, manuscript illuminations and frescoes give a good insight into life in the Middle Ages and its Gothic furnishings.
Some exceptional pieces can be discovered in France, for example in the Museum of Decorative Arts in Paris, the Cluny Museum or even at the Château d'Amboise. less