UNKNOWN GOLDSMITH, Italian
(active 15th century in Florence)

Small Strong Box Coffer

15th century
Wood covered with stamped leather, 39 x 21 x 15 cm
Museo di Palazzo Davanzati, Florence

This small coffer has an iron handle on the lid and simple knobs, also of iron, on the lid and sides that terminate in lobes and notches. The iron lock is also original, but has no key. Such small strong boxes were already common ion the Middle Ages, mostly for the safekeeping of brides' jewellery. Made of iron, they were sometimes covered with leather to protect their security and solidity during travel.