This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1841 edition. Excerpt: ... kept within them. Many of these chests, which were raised on feet to protect them from damp and vermin, were beautifully ornamented with carving and other sumptuous enrichments. "In ivory coffers," says Gremio, "I have stuffed my crowns; in cypress chests my arras, counterpoints," &c. Cypress wood was selected for its rare properties of neither rotting nor becoming worm-eaten. The ivory coffers were small, and either carved or engraved in devices, with silver or gilt locks and ornaments, and were used for keeping jewels and other valuables.* In 1523, Sir William Compton, knight, bequeathed to King Henry VIII. "a little chest of ivory, whereof one lock is gilt, with a chess-board under the same, and a pair of tables upon it, and all such jewels and treasure as are inclosed therein." t Small coffers of silver are also mentioned. Large trunks, in which clothes, hangings, &c. were packed for removal, were called "Crushing CI)f ft f i" they were substantially made, and bound in every direction with iron straps, wrought into fanciful and multifarious forms, and secured by locks of artful and curious contrivance. The same sort of metal-work was, indeed, applied to coffers of lesser dimensions. Two "standard chests "t were delivered to the laundress of King Henry VIII.; "the one to keep the cleane stuff, and the other to keep the stuff that had been occupied." "Paid William Grene, the king's coffer maker, for making of a coffer covered with fustyan of Naples, and being full of drawe boxes lyned with red and grene sarcynet, to put in stones of diverse sorts, vj/t. xviij*. jd. And to Cornelys the lock smythe, for making all the ironworke, that is to saye, the lock, gymowes, handels, rynges to every drawe boxe, the price xxxvj*....