17th century armada chest with 9 bolts

[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

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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.

[Marcus den toom]

Srry Dmitri, you're right my geographical skills are not togood.
But after i looked the place up on the internet i immediatly thoughed about a other "trade" route of the Dutch during the golden age. The whaling grounds in north Russia...

[Dmitry]

Yes, in the late 16th-throughout the 17th c. the Dutch were the kings of the seas. It can be said that 2 out of every 5 ships on high seas at that time were Dutch. Somehow it all fizzled out.
Have you seen this film yet? I don't know if there's an English-subtitled version yet, but I'd love to see it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqXSFdFxvl8

Perhaps the chest you showed above came from the Barentsz expedition to find the Northern Passage to Asia? Still a treacherous way to travel now. The ice-free navigation period is very short. One has to have immense respect for the travelers of old.

[fernando]

As Jim well reminds the fanciful term “Armada chest” was made up “the other day”. Most probably chests used aboard were of the same characteristics of those used in land, even comprehending the various styles created now and then, here and there. Apparently those aboard were often chained to the officers cabin decks, which is easy to understand. I gather that very often these chests contained precious documents, like valuable and unique navigation charts and devices, besides weapons and hard currency … not excluding jewels and precious metals … this not to ignore the romantic pirate approach . Most probably also the gold brought from Africa during discoveries period, was carried in this fashion of more or less intrincate lock chests; as there is solid evidence of the Burras used to carry the gold from Brazil in the XVIII century

In the XIII century, a method of filing (keeping) jewels and other valuable objects was implemented in Portugal (for one); these were enclosed in a chest with four locks, each one handed to a high rank official of the kingdom.
This habit originated the term “Fechado a sete chaves” ( locked with seven keys ), still used nowadays. Number seven was incorporated in the expression due to its mystic value, something present in Babilonic and Egiption religions. An example of this numer symbology is the quantity of seals with which Roman wills were closed in the middle ages.
The present term used for chest over here is cofre (coffer) of Latin ecclesiastic origin, but a term more directed to this type of armoured chests was Burra (feminine for donkey).

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[Jim McDougall]

Outstanding input everybody!!! It is truly amazing how much dimension is gained in these kinds of discussions, and the item itself has provided a great avenue for it! Thanks everyone for this added perspective.

I'd sure like to have one of these, but can guarantee the shocks on the good ole bookmobile would give out!
You right Nando, it would take most of the pirate crew to drag (carry not likely!) one of these full of gold!! Hooray for Hollywood with those powerful guys in the old pirate movies, two or three, carrying these like a piece of furniture