Museum
Ark or Coffer
Description
A late medieval oak ark/coffer, c. 1350 - 1700. Coffer has riven boards; the canted lid with shaved cleats hinged on wooden pivot-pins; the front is of clamped-board construction displaying the remnants of arched shaping to the feet and offset carved niche, possibly for an early strap lock; the lid is inscribed with concentric and overlapped circles, believed to be protectionist graffiti safeguarding the contents; the front plank of the lid is an early replacement (about sixteenth century); the upper plank of the front is a slightly later replacement (about early seventeenth century) with a lock plate; the base boards replaced. English.