Table or Bible box

A rectangular table or Bible box of boarded construction, with a plain hinged lid and floral, foliate carving on the front panel. The base is loose. Boxes of this type were used for many purposes: for sewing materials, for candles and other household stuff, for gloves, linen and fine textiles, for books, ledgers and Bibles and for clocks and jewels. Most are of flimsy construction since they were designed to stand on a table. According to Victor Chinnery, 'joined and panelled boxes are quite rare, yet the box makers were an incorporation of the Joyners' Company in London, not the Carpenters'; a fact which may explain the high quality of carving to be found on some boxes and boarded chests.