early oak coffer with carved and moulded face

Jan & John Maggs

Antiques and Art

A very early oak coffer with carved and moulded face

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

A boarded oak coffer, similar in construction and design to early American “blanket chests”. Four wide boards are arranged horizontally and nailed to a pair of vertical boards to form a chest. These vertical boards – the ends of the coffer – have shaped cutouts at floor level, which form the four decorative feet of the coffer and elevate the box and its contents. The back and bottom were left plain, while the face, sides, and lid were finished on the outside. Beyond the aforementioned feet, the only decoration on the box is a light scribe line on each end of the lid and the rather grand decoration on the face - boldly carved floral designs at each end and a subtle planed moulding at the lower edge. In such a spare setting, the forged nail heads assume decorative value, although their presence is purely structural.

Inside the box is a till, although its cover is lost. The cotter pin hinges that originally attached the lid have been lost, as well, but the but hinges replacing them do the job well.

English, ca. 1640

Dimensions: 32” X 13 ¼”; Height: 18 ¼”

Price: $750

Questions? Click HERE.

Inventory #26967

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~