Chest
Unknown Artist
late 15th century
Medium
Oak, iron mounts
Dimensions
Overall: 26 5/8 x 56 7/8 x 28 1/4 in. (67.6 x 144.5 x 71.8 cm)
Classification
Woodwork-Furniture
Culture
French
Department
Medieval Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1916
Accession Number
16.32.20
Art Historical Context
This grand oak chest from late 15th-century France exemplifies the sturdy, functional furniture of the late Gothic period. Crafted from durable oak—a favored wood for its strength and availability—the chest features iron mounts that not only reinforced its structure but also added a touch of ornamental security with sturdy hinges and locks. Measuring over 4.5 feet wide and nearly 2 feet deep, it would have dominated a medieval household, serving as a vital storage piece for linens, clothing, or even a bride's dowry. In the waning years of the Middle Ages, such chests were essential to daily l...