17th century armada chest with 9 bolts

[Jim McDougall]

Actually in my personal view, this is a most exciting item, and for myself and Cap'n Mark , it truly does add dimension to the favorite maritime topics especially the Pirates! While not a weapon itself....these and thier contents were certainly the focus of attention bringing the USE of weapons!!!

These chests are extremely desirable today for collectors, and I always find the lore around pirates and buried treasure most entertaining.
Despite fanciful Victorian notions, there are few accounts of any 'treasure' ever buried by pirates except an established instance by Capt. William Kidd I believe in N.Y. That was recovered at the time though...despite the many tales of his, Blackbeards and many other treasures all over.

As I have understood, most of these 'armada chests' (actually they were called 'strong boxes', the armada chest term again Victorian) seem to have been produced almost invariably in Germany, usually Nuremberg or Ausberg, and late 16th through 17th c.

These often varied in size, but the smaller ones for jewelry were 'caskets' if I recall. As noted this one is nearly 100 pounds empty....which when one imagines it filled with gold (very heavy) makes the gross weight formidable at best. Imagine a couple of pirates tramping through the sand carrying this full of gold!!!
The often illustrated known hump back chest in familiar pirate oriented artwork was actually for travel/clothing etc. and appeared in the 19th c. I believe.

The only known 'treasure chest' with known provenance to a 'pirate' belonged to Thomas Tew (died 1695) and was not dug up, but acquired from his family after his death. It is displayed in St. Augustine, Florida and is one of this 'armada' type with metal straps.

[kronckew]

armorial connection: it certainly could be used to hide your burgeoning knife collection from your dearly beloved and protect you from her finding you spend more on them than on her. thus serving a protective role, deflecting verbal barbs and arrows of vituperation.

sadly, i didn't have one.

don't have a wife any more either.

i miss the dogs more than i miss her tho.

[fernando]

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

Actually in my personal view, this is a most exciting item, and for myself and Cap'n Mark , it truly does add dimension to the favorite maritime topics especially the Pirates! While not a weapon itself....these and thier contents were certainly the focus of attention bringing the USE of weapons!!! .

Shrewd approach to forum scope

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

As I have understood, most of these 'armada chests' (actually they were called 'strong boxes', the armada chest term again Victorian) seem to have been produced almost invariably in Germany, usually Nuremberg or Ausberg, and late 16th through 17th c.

Well, assuming this example is genuine and dated within the period you mention, is in an extremely good condition. It must have had a thorough cleaning treatment ... sandblasting ? And after that it had some finishing cover, judging by that greyish colour ?

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

As noted this one is nearly 100 pounds empty....which when one imagines it filled with gold (very heavy) makes the gross weight formidable at best. Imagine a couple of pirates tramping through the sand carrying this full of gold!!!

Yes indeed Jim; gold being heavier than lead, it would need the whole crew to carry this chest fully loaded ... changing shifts every hundred steps. .

[Marcus den toom]

@ Fernando, as far as i know these strong boxes/ armada chests are almost allays covered in a layer of black (tar/????). Mine was also covered in a layer of shoe shine.. so i have meticulously cleaned it with pure bezine. The greyish look is because it was standing in the sun, it is actually pretty black

Nevertheless it is very well preserved, only the floor panels have suffered minor damage.
The lock is still pretty strong and nearly 100% complete.
seeing as my treasure chest doesn't have a decorative lockplate which came into fashion in the early 1700s i can honestly say to everyone it is at least from somewhere around 1680 and mostlikely older. The models from the late 16th century are smaller and are simplistical in comparison to the variation i have.


Though a good museum currator coould probably tell a better story than me
A good source for any antique is the newly opened national museum in the Netherlands (my birth country).
https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/en/collection/NG-NM-7658
https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/en/search...t%20&ii=4&p=11

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Salaams all,
Portuguese Chests often used for weapons on board ships and typically on the Fort Gun line. Originally made to transport sugar and spices. Pre 1650 Muscat.

Below is a huge antique wheeled chest ... "The Javanese Weapons Chest".

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

[Jim McDougall]

Good notes on the decorative lock plates, it is good to know when these came into use as better to date examples. If I understand correctly, those plates were deliberate diversions from the actual key point on top...very creative!!!

Outstanding example of a wood chest Ibrahiim! Did the Portuguese also use these German strong boxes? it seems the Spaniards did (guessing from the romanticized 'armada chest' term).

Nando....couldnt resist me likes pirates

[Marcus den toom]

A good example of a 1700s chest.




In my previous post i posted a link to the national museum from the Netherlands. The box lockcover is almost identical to mine (except for the fact mine is actually still in one piece ).
The source on this cover tell it was abandoned by Dutch setlers from Nova Zembla (africa) in 1596 (!!!!). A English captain found the chest in this condition in 1876.

Only diifference is the size. mine is 40x39x81cm and the on the museum is around 32X33X69 cm.

[M ELEY]

Oh my God! I absolutely love this piece! Jim is dead-on with us collectors of all things 'pirate'! Thomas Tews' chest is pictured in many said books on the sea rovers, so a chest like this in anyone's collection is a gem. They are quite rare and pricey. I recall one being offered in a Museum of Historical Arms from way back and that's the only one I've ever seen for sale. I especially love all the workings on the inside lid-quite intricate.

I know this piece is far from a weapon, but it is very inspiring to some of us, so I'd like to thank the Moderators for allowing it. I've often been tempted to post pics from my maritime collection of the non-weapon type, but didn't wish to annoy anyone. Hey, I know! If I stick a weapon or two in front of the item, might it be acceptable (keeping the topic on the weapon, of course!)

[Dmitry]

Originally Posted by Marcus den toom

.
The source on this cover tell it was abandoned by Dutch setlers from Nova Zembla (africa) in 1596 (!!!!).

Nova Zembla...Africa?

Re:chest. These come up in European auctions, and one giant example is in the Metropolitan Museum. I don't know about the shipboard use, but I do remember reading that these were used by regimental commanders to transport soldiers wages.