Strong Box Armada Chest 18th Century Iron Casket Coffer Box Chest

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Strong Box Armada Chest 18th Century Iron Casket Coffer Box Chest:
$2500.00

Really unique, rare and interesting antique iron strong box with brass or bronze inlaid plaques. This is a diminutive strong box or casket featuring two hasps for padlocks. Often Armada Chests in this style are much larger and very heavy, this smaller piece is nice for its size and although heavy, is not hundreds of pounds. The construction is riveted iron and dates from the 18th century or earlier. The plaques depict what appear to be armed soldiers flanking either side of a panel of filigree. There are also two soldier images on the back panels, for a total of four figures. It\'s possibly of German origin, as it shares many similarities in construction to Armada chests and strong boxes made in Nuremberg. The interior locking mechanism is missing. The condition is good, but it does have a snapped hinge connection (see picture). The lid opens and closes and it all still sits in place correctly, so it would only be noticeable while opening or closing lid, but It could be displayed without the break being visible. It could be welded again. The panels appear to have once been backed with a material now gone such as leather or cloth covered wood? The brass panels have some bent areas. Behind the panels there is rusted metal. Overall structurally strong, but has surface rust, areas of damage from use. No visible repairs that I can find have been made. It possibly just rusted over time in areas that have given it a very nice patina overall. Fortunately it hasn\'t been power polished or sanded to \'shine\' again, and appears very original. The rust has been stabilized and the piece lightly cleaned and coated in Renaissance wax, a museum standard wax that is easily removable.
12.75in x 6.25 d x 5.5 tall approx.
Please ask any questions you may have. More images are available.
Returns are accepted. If for some reason you wish to return this piece photographs prior to return will be required to indicate that condition is exactly the same as when you received it. It cannot be cleaned, polished, waxed, repaired or in any other way altered. Doing so will void the possibility of a return. Thanks