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This is a fabulous large antique box from the Brittany region in the North West corner of France. It is a superb traditional Breton box in the form of a Brittany Settle Bench (Banc-Coffre) and it dates to 1880/1890. We have made some (removable) padded satin panels for the interior to make the box functional for jewellery storage.
FREE UK NEXT DAY DELIVERY. NO International Postage.
This is a fabulous large antique box from the Brittany region in the North West corner of France. It is a superb traditional Breton box in the form of a Brittany Settle Bench (Banc-Coffre) and it dates to 1880/1890. We have made some (removable) padded satin panels for the interior to make the box functional for jewellery storage. These beautiful bespoke panels bring a touch of modern luxury to this wonderful piece of rustic folk art, and being removable they preserve the integrity of the box.
The Exterior
This beautiful box is made of solid dark stained Oak which has a deep rich colour, lovely figuration, and a wonderful aged patina. It is in the form of a traditional Breton Settle bench that anchored regional households throughout the 18th and 19th centuries.
The bench features a beautiful high backrest with a spindle rail, pierced ships wheels, and beautiful large carved flower motifs. The wheel is known regionally as the Breton Wheel of Life - a Celtic influenced maritime emblem. These wheels pay homage to the area's rich and long maritime history and they are also symbolic, being carved into furniture for good luck and protection. This protection symbolism arose from the Breton's historical life at sea which was once incredibly dangerous. Many Breton families lost fathers and sons to Atlantic storms. Incorporating the ship's wheel into household furniture was a physical prayer for a sailor's safe return, guidance and protection. It symbolised steering a steady course through life's unpredictable stormy waters.
The top of the backrest features two ivorine knobs. These are very old replacements of what would have originally been wooden or bone knobs. The spindles in the rail are so very beautifully turned.
The top of the bench has a lift up lid, perfectly mimicking its full sized furniture counterpart. This is decorated with beautifully carved flowers of various sizes and scallop detail to the edges. The front of the bench is also decorated with the famous pierced Breton wheels as featured in the backrest.
This beautiful box was completely hand made and it is evident from the intricately carved flowers and beautifully turned and pierced spindles and wheels that it was a very skilled craftsman who carried out its construction and intricate details.
The box may be an apprentice piece or a cabinetmaker's salesman sample, made to show off its full sized furniture counterpart to a potential wealthy provincial client.
The box has its original brass hinges.
The Interior
The interior has a single, very wide and relatively deep storage compartment. It is deep enough to hold large pieces of jewellery such as broad bangles and watches, and chunky beads.
Our skilled box restorer has made some very beautiful removable satin panels for the compartment, to make the box functional for jewellery storage if desired. These are padded, providing cushioned protection for jewellery. Being removable they preserve the integrity of the box, with no glue being added to the interior wood as would be the case with fixed fabric panels. The back of the panels have beautiful floral patterned paper backings. The stunning colourful gold satin contrasts beautifully against the dark stained Oak.
Our Jewellery Box Restorer
You can read about Jim, our wonderful box restorer, by visiting our About Us page.
Condition
This box has sound structure and is still in wonderful condition, despite its 140/150 years of age. It has only minor light wear and some fading to the stain on the back.
The interior satin panels, being new, are in immaculate condition.
Measurements
Length: 40.0cm
Width: 10.8cm
Height: 24.2cm (including the feet)
Interior Compartment:
37.2 by 8.0cm with a 6.5cm depth (including the thickness of the satin panels).
Postage
This box will be posted FREE within the UK by Royal Mail Next Day Special Delivery.
Please visit our Orders & Delivery page for further details.
NO International postage. We are very sorry but we are unable to offer international postage on this particular box. This is due to its large size and weight.
This is a fabulous large antique box from the Brittany region in the North West corner of France. It is a superb traditional Breton box in the form of a Brittany Settle Bench (Banc-Coffre) and it dates to 1880/1890. We have made some (removable) padded satin panels for the interior to make the box functional for jewellery storage.
This is a fabulous large antique box from the Brittany region in the North West corner of France. It is a superb traditional Breton box in the form of a Brittany Settle Bench (Banc-Coffre) and it dates to 1880/1890. We have made some (removable) padded satin panels for the interior to make the box functional for jewellery storage.
FREE UK NEXT DAY DELIVERY. NO International Postage.
This is a fabulous large antique box from the Brittany region in the North West corner of France. It is a superb traditional Breton box in the form of a Brittany Settle Bench (Banc-Coffre) and it dates to 1880/1890. We have made some (removable) padded satin panels for the interior to make the box functional for jewellery storage. These beautiful bespoke panels bring a touch of modern luxury to this wonderful piece of rustic folk art, and being removable they preserve the integrity of the box.
The Exterior
This beautiful box is made of solid dark stained Oak which has a deep rich colour, lovely figuration, and a wonderful aged patina. It is in the form of a traditional Breton Settle bench that anchored regional households throughout the 18th and 19th centuries.
The bench features a beautiful high backrest with a spindle rail, pierced ships wheels, and beautiful large carved flower motifs. The wheel is known regionally as the Breton Wheel of Life - a Celtic influenced maritime emblem. These wheels pay homage to the area's rich and long maritime history and they are also symbolic, being carved into furniture for good luck and protection. This protection symbolism arose from the Breton's historical life at sea which was once incredibly dangerous. Many Breton families lost fathers and sons to Atlantic storms. Incorporating the ship's wheel into household furniture was a physical prayer for a sailor's safe return, guidance and protection. It symbolised steering a steady course through life's unpredictable stormy waters.
The top of the backrest features two ivorine knobs. These are very old replacements of what would have originally been wooden or bone knobs. The spindles in the rail are so very beautifully turned.
The top of the bench has a lift up lid, perfectly mimicking its full sized furniture counterpart. This is decorated with beautifully carved flowers of various sizes and scallop detail to the edges. The front of the bench is also decorated with the famous pierced Breton wheels as featured in the backrest.
This beautiful box was completely hand made and it is evident from the intricately carved flowers and beautifully turned and pierced spindles and wheels that it was a very skilled craftsman who carried out its construction and intricate details.
The box may be an apprentice piece or a cabinetmaker's salesman sample, made to show off its full sized furniture counterpart to a potential wealthy provincial client.
The box has its original brass hinges.
The Interior
The interior has a single, very wide and relatively deep storage compartment. It is deep enough to hold large pieces of jewellery such as broad bangles and watches, and chunky beads.
Our skilled box restorer has made some very beautiful removable satin panels for the compartment, to make the box functional for jewellery storage if desired. These are padded, providing cushioned protection for jewellery. Being removable they preserve the integrity of the box, with no glue being added to the interior wood as would be the case with fixed fabric panels. The back of the panels have beautiful floral patterned paper backings. The stunning colourful gold satin contrasts beautifully against the dark stained Oak.
Our Jewellery Box Restorer
You can read about Jim, our wonderful box restorer, by visiting our About Us page.
Condition
This box has sound structure and is still in wonderful condition, despite its 140/150 years of age. It has only minor light wear and some fading to the stain on the back.
The interior satin panels, being new, are in immaculate condition.
Measurements
Length: 40.0cm
Width: 10.8cm
Height: 24.2cm (including the feet)
Interior Compartment:
37.2 by 8.0cm with a 6.5cm depth (including the thickness of the satin panels).
Postage
This box will be posted FREE within the UK by Royal Mail Next Day Special Delivery.
Please visit our Orders & Delivery page for further details.
NO International postage. We are very sorry but we are unable to offer international postage on this particular box. This is due to its large size and weight.
For more information regarding our payments and returns policy, please click this link.
For more information regarding our orders and delivery policy, please click this link.
