Chest isrestored

The chest is now on display in the Treasury at the Cathedral.

Although little is known about the history and use of the chest, Ralph Tyreman, clerk of works at the Cathedral, suspects it had a specific purpose.

“Strong chests such as this one, by their very design, held precious articles, not just money and plate. At other cathedrals I have seen many ‘cope’ chests but this particular chest is exceptionally long and narrow, made for something entirely different.

“Although I do not know of a similar example, I would put forward the hypothesis that it was made to contain the Bishop’s crozier and other staffs of office. It may be unique, or we may yet find this was common practice.’

The team of furniture and metalwork conservators who worked on the chest included furniture student, Tristram Bainbridge, supervised by programme tutor, Mike Podmaniczky. For Tristram, who is studying for a graduate diploma in the conservation of furniture and related objects, this was one of the first projects worked on at the College.

“My biggest challenge was to create structures to lift up and hold the chest in the right position before I could start work on it. We carried out extensive work on the underside of the chest which was badly damaged by rot and woodworm, and a new, replacement baseboard had to be made to support the chest.”

Conserving the metal components of the chest provided a technical challenge for Jon Privett West Dean’s metalwork tutor: “The chest has a relatively secure closure system with three different locks, requiring three different keys to open it, which is indicative of a good quality, strong box of that period.

“However, at some point in the past the chest had been broken into.”