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16th Century Furniture at Athelhampton House & Gardens

Regular visitors to Athelhampton may well have noticed a recent change in the Great Chamber. On the right hand side of the fireplace, beneath a cubist painting by Marevna, sits a new wooden chest: a new addition to the collection of 16th Century furniture at Athelhampton House & Gardens.


A close up photo of one of the carved wooden mermaids on the chest. He stands upright on his tail with his arms crossed. His right arm is normal, but his left arm is textured in a way that seems to imitate hair or fur. He has a neatly trimmed beard and moustache and long hair. He stands against a column. The mermaid is on the right hand side of the chest, right at the edge. Reaching up to the height of the elbow of the mermaid is a crouched figure with flowing hair and a body that seems scaly or feathery.
Merman on the carved 16th Century Chest at Athelhampton House & Gardens

Intricately carved, it shows a bizarre collection of mythical creatures across its front. Surly mermen look out at the viewer, stood erect on their tails with their arms crossed. The three of them appear to be guarding the chest, each subtly differentiated with tail shapes and facial hair.


To the sides of the mermaids sit crouching grotesques. Their bodies seem to be covered in scales or feathers, and their legs are reminiscent of birds. They have flowing hair, but apparently no arms, and it's slightly unclear what sort of creature they're intended to be. Harpies, perhaps? If they are, their wings are mostly hidden. Still, whatever they are, they give the appearance of fiercely guarding whatever is in the chest.


In the centre of the image is a carved wooden figure of a man with a tail and long hair. On either side of him, coming up to the height of his elbow, are two crouched figures each in profile facing away from the merman. above them are intricate carvings of a grape vine, and the figures are facing towards some inlaid chequerboard wood.
Merman and Crouched Figures on the Carved 16th Century Chest at Athelhampton House & Gardens

Surmounting these creatures are winged angel heads, each with a slightly different expression - some stern, some slightly softer.


Level with the angels are the heads of two green men, foliage sprouting from their mouths. Originating from a medieval tale based on the bible, these green men represent the head of Adam from which grows the tree that will ultimately be used to make the cross for Jesus's crucifixion. In other words, they show how man's downfall and man's resurrection and eternal life are irrevocably linked together.


A close up of a carved face on the wooden chest. It is somewhat apelike and balding, with a small amount of facial hair, and from its mouth is sprouting branches spreading out on either side of its face.
A Green Man on the Carved 16th Century Chest at Athelhampton House & Gardens

This chest, with its intricate marquetry, careful carving, and many layered textures is a beautiful addition to the Great Chamber at Athelhampton. When it was first created, it was likely used to hold clothes, spare wall hangings, or other textiles that we know the Great Chamber was furnished with. It was likely also used as a seat. It bears close inspection: it's clearly been altered much over the last several hundred years, and bears the scars of heavy use.


Come and visit Athelhampton House & Gardens and see this new chest for yourself! For the next week only, we still have our special offer on in collaboration with Abbotsbury Sub-Tropical Gardens: visit one of us, show your ticket to the other, and you'll get in for half price. If you want to save extra money at Athelhampton, book online.


Athelhampton House & Gardens are open 7 days a week, all year round, save a few days at Christmas.



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