CF4

Plan Chest

General Description: A burr oak plan chest, c.1840, with a moulded top over an ogee-carved frieze and two panelled doors, the panels carved with the figures of St Helen (L) and St Barbara (R), between applied pilasters carved with fruit and foliage, the sides having paired panels carved in the ‘Renaissance’ style, on a confirming plinth with castors. (Bowett, Adam, 2013)
Researcher Description: This plan chest is probably that shown in the watercolour of William Cotton III and his wife seated in the library at the Priory. It stands at the back of the room, with figures and a bust on top, and the 18th century bookcases behind. It is a good quality piece of furniture, in a hybrid Gothic/Renaissance style which is fairly typical of the early Victorian period. The choice of burr oak is likewise typical, the wood being deemed appropriate both for historicist objects and for libraries. It is difficult to know what significance attaches to the subject matter of the front panels. St Helen was the mother of Constantine the Great, and is said to have discovered, among other things, the True Cross. She is regarded as the patron saint of new discoveries. St Barbara is the patron saint of engineers, artillerymen and mining. These might relate to the contents of the chest – architectural plans, drawings, &c? – it is impossible to confirm this without knowing the original contents. (Bowett, Adam, 2013)

The case is made of two panelled sides tenoned into the top and top bottom frames. The doors are fixed with butt hinges to the stiles, and the panelled back is screwed into a rebate. The top frame forms the frieze; it is a pine frame, presumably dovetailed at the corners, veneered with oak and with applied Gothic detail also in oak. The top proper is fixed to the frame from below with pocketed screws. The top is made of mahogany boards, butt-joined, and veneered with burr oak. The base or plinth is a frame of pine similar to the top frame, boarded over to form a floor to the case and reinforced underneath with battens and glue blocks. A central support or brace is housed into the front and back rails of the plinth. Castors are fixed in each corner of the plinth with three screws each. The whole of the underside and back is covered with a black wash. Most mouldings are solid oak, applied; the moulding around the top is burr oak veneer on pine.

, 1840 c. - 1840 c.

Victorian

wood (oak), veneers: wood (oak), wood (mahogany), wood (white pine)

Named Collection: Cottonian Collection