Early Welsh oak Coffor-bach Sold
A rare late 17th century Welsh oak coffer-bach (small coffer).
This is an unusual early example made from well figured oak which has a dark rich colour. It has a two panelled front with applied mouldings above a single drawer also with applied mouldings. There is a well shaped moulding around the lower and top edge. The turned bun feet are held fixed in position by wooden pegs. The drawer can be locked with a wooden lock-pin which is accessed through the interior of the top.
The coffor bach seems to have been peculiar to Wales. Often thought to have been given as a love token or wedding gift, the coffor bach was often a piece which had great sentiment having been handed down through families. This is the earliest Coffor-bach we have owned.
Some replacements and old restoration – which include old replaced drawer linings, later hinges (which replace earlier wooden lock-hinges) two feet & some moulding. Replaced brass-ware.
West Wales circa 1690
23” wide x 14” deep x 14½” high / 58.5cm wide x 35.6cm deep x 37cm gigh
£2850.00 Sold
See: Welsh Furniture by L.Twiston-Davis & H.J.Lloyd-Johnes, University of Wales Press. Page 11, Bible Box – The Bible box, sometimes called prenfol, prembol, or phennol, is a small edition of the mule chest, and in many parts of South Wales is still called “y coffer bach” or the little coffer. These charming pieces, which are usually made in oak or elm, are associated chiefly with the south-western counties of the Principality. The type which occurs most frequently dates from the second half of the eighteenth century, has a panelled front, and is fitted with one or two drawers. These Bible boxes are sometimes inlaid with holly, and an example from the district of Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire, examined recently was found to be fitted with wooden lock-hinges, while the single drawer was secured with a wooden lock-pin….The “coffer-bach” is peculiar to Wales and differs considerably from the better-known English Bible box. In old days the Bible was possibly the only book in the home, and great care was taken to house it suitably, while the drawers below were used for keeping legal and family papers. It should be said that there is a certain tradition that these small coffers were “love chests” and , filled with fine linen, were part of a brides dowry. Whatever their original use may have been they remain one of the most attractive articles of Welsh domestic furniture.
See also: Welsh Furniture 1250-1950 By Richard Bebb, Volume I, Image 502 – a similar early box with drawer from Carmarthenshire, c1670 – 1710.
Volume II, page 71 “The coffor bach is traditionally associated with marriages,and even at the begging of the2st century was held in high esteem, often having been descended through the female line.”