Obs. [f. COFFER sb. 5 b + WORK sb.] Work done with or in coffers; in Arch. masonry having ‘coffers’ filled with rubble, etc. Formerly also, building in concrete.
1708. G. Richards, 1st Bk. Palladio’s Archit., 15. The manner Riempiuta or filled walls, which is also called Coffer-work which the Ancients did use; taking planks and placing them edgewise, allowing so much space as they would have the thickness of the wall, filling it with Mortar, and Stones of all Sorts.
1742. Leoni, Palladio’s Archit., I. 9. [as in prec. quot.; also] Coffer-work … made of two rows of free Stones … bound together with other crossing-rows, so the Space or Coffers … between the crossing-rows and the out-rows of Stones … were fill’d up with Stones and Earth.
