A TREASURE CHEST

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 460, 18 June 1937, Page 2

A TREASURE CHEST

FARMER’S LUCKY BID Valuable Silverware (By Air Mail.) London, May 15. Mr. J. Nash, sheep farmer apd dairyman, of Coleford, Forest of Dean, wanted a tool chest. Ait an auction sale of a well-known Monmouthshire family’s effects he saw a heavy oak chest standing three feet high, which looked just llhe thing. Antique dealers from all over the country attended’ the salej, bidding high prices for the many treasures offered, but they ignored this roughlooking box-. It was knocked down to Mr Nash for three shillings. The key was missing, and many days passed before Mr. Nash decided io force it open. Watched by a little boy friend he released two locks, raised -the lid. Inside was what ’appeared to be a baby’s bath. He lifted it up. Man and boy gazed at each other in wonder. For -the “bath” was a Itrge solid ilver meat cover. Under i<t was another, slightly larger, separated by chamois leather. Both fitted into a third silver cover, sewn in leather, inside /the covers, and ifitt-ed into niches lined with purple velvet, Mr. Nash found shining silver sauce b-oats, bottle holders, cream jugs and other articles, altogether more than 101 b. of silver. The silver dates’ from /the reign of Charles I. It is thought that it may have belonged to the monarch himself.