Late Medieval Northern European Parish Alms Box c.1480–1520
SKU: ALMSBOX
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A rare late medieval parish alms box of Northern European origin c.1480–1520
Constructed from thick, hand-worked oak boards and formed in a distinctive gabled ‘house’ shape. The pitched hinged lid opens to a single space interior, including a small door to the front fitted with hand-forged iron strap hinges and an early lock-plate.
It’s interior retains traces of original polychrome decoration in muted earth red pigments, now beautifully softened beneath centuries of patination. Such internal polychromy is more commonly encountered on church furnishings than on domestic furniture, suggesting an ecclesiastical context. The box was intended for the secure keeping of parish contents, including collected alms and possibly small ecclesiastical objects stored between services.
The scale and construction indicate that it was designed to rest on a bench, shelf or within a vestry setting rather than as a free-standing chest. The surface bears the honest wear, historic and consistent with prolonged use within a church environment.
- Width: 43 cm (16.93″)
- Height: 35 cm (13.78″)
- Depth: 26.5 cm (10.43″)
