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ID #SA1077750
FOR SALE
£2,400
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A Rare 17th Century Ebonized Dorset Coffer
For sale by Holmes Antiques
for sale €2,808     $3,048
£2,400

Holmes Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Jan 2011
Browse dealers 222 items
  • About Us
    Leading experts on early english oak, walnut and mahogany furniture. Established in 1932.
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Id #SA1077750
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A Rare 17th Century Ebonized Dorset Coffer

17th century
For Sale by Holmes Antiques
Description

A fine and rare example of a 17th Century Ebonized Dorset coffer from a small group of pieces made in the region around 1655 and documented in Victor Chinnerys book, Oak Furniture The British Tradition.

In outstanding original condition retaining the original ring hinges, lock, escutcheon, candle box and even having the original stay to hold the top in position when open. Super colour and wonderfully dry and clean inside, having untouched surface to the underneath.

The underneath is typical of the unusual way these pieces were constructed with long boards to the bottom and supporting baton to the joint.

A real collectors piece.

Physical Dimensions
Height
70cm (27.56")
Width
105cm (41.34")
Depth
49cm (19.29")
Declaration

Holmes Antiques has dated this 17th Century Oak Coffer to the 17th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1077750
Dealers Notes

Holmes Antiques was established in 1932

We are a family business with a shop on Haworth Main Street in West Yorkshire.

We specialise in early English furniture

With the emphasis on quality, originality, colour and surface.

David Holmes has developed a reputation in the antique trade as one of the country's leading experts on early English Oak, Walnut and Mahogany furniture.

Christian Holmes is the 4th generation of the family to deal in Antique furniture

www.holmesantiques.co.uk

Description
A fine and rare example of a 17th Century Ebonized Dorset coffer from a small group of pieces made in the region around 1655 and documented in Victor Chinnerys book, Oak Furniture The British Tradition.
“
In outstanding original condition retaining the original ring hinges, lock, escutcheon, candle box and even having the original stay to hold the top in position when open.
Holmes Antiques

Super colour and wonderfully dry and clean inside, having untouched surface to the underneath.

The underneath is typical of the unusual way these pieces were constructed with long boards to the bottom and supporting baton to the joint.

A real collectors piece.

Height
70cm (27.56")
Width
105cm (41.34")
Depth
49cm (19.29")
Date of Manufacture

Holmes Antiques has dated this 17th Century Oak Coffer to the 17th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1077750
Holmes Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Jan 2011

Leading experts on early english oak, walnut and mahogany furniture. Established in 1932.

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Holmes Antiques Profile Page

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A 17th century carved oak coffer featuring three lozenge-carved front panels, leaf motifs, and ebonised detailing.
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Archive I A 17th century carved oak coffer featuring three lozenge-carved front panels, leaf motifs, and ebonised detailing.

A Rare 17th Century Ebonized Dorset Coffer

Archive II A 17th century carved oak coffer featuring three lozenge-carved front panels, leaf motifs, and ebonised detailing. View II
Archive III A 17th century carved oak coffer featuring three lozenge-carved front panels, leaf motifs, and ebonised detailing. View III
Archive IV A 17th century carved oak coffer featuring three lozenge-carved front panels, leaf motifs, and ebonised detailing. View IV
Archive V A 17th century carved oak coffer featuring three lozenge-carved front panels, leaf motifs, and ebonised detailing. View V
Archive VI A 17th century carved oak coffer featuring three lozenge-carved front panels, leaf motifs, and ebonised detailing. View VI
Archive VII A 17th century carved oak coffer featuring three lozenge-carved front panels, leaf motifs, and ebonised detailing. View VII
Archive VIII A 17th century carved oak coffer featuring three lozenge-carved front panels, leaf motifs, and ebonised detailing. View VIII
Archive IX A 17th century carved oak coffer featuring three lozenge-carved front panels, leaf motifs, and ebonised detailing. View IX
Archive X A 17th century carved oak coffer featuring three lozenge-carved front panels, leaf motifs, and ebonised detailing. View X
Archive XI A 17th century carved oak coffer featuring three lozenge-carved front panels, leaf motifs, and ebonised detailing. View XI
Archive XII A 17th century carved oak coffer featuring three lozenge-carved front panels, leaf motifs, and ebonised detailing. View XII
Archive XIII A 17th century carved oak coffer featuring three lozenge-carved front panels, leaf motifs, and ebonised detailing. View XIII
Archive XIV A 17th century carved oak coffer featuring three lozenge-carved front panels, leaf motifs, and ebonised detailing. View XIV
Archive XV A 17th century carved oak coffer featuring three lozenge-carved front panels, leaf motifs, and ebonised detailing. View XV
Archive XVI A 17th century carved oak coffer featuring three lozenge-carved front panels, leaf motifs, and ebonised detailing. View XVI
Archive XVII A 17th century carved oak coffer featuring three lozenge-carved front panels, leaf motifs, and ebonised detailing. View XVII
Archive XVIII A 17th century carved oak coffer featuring three lozenge-carved front panels, leaf motifs, and ebonised detailing. View XVIII
Archive XIX A 17th century carved oak coffer featuring three lozenge-carved front panels, leaf motifs, and ebonised detailing. View XIX
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Holmes Antiques
Telephone 07729 347 159
Location
West Yorkshire
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/holmes
Verified Since Jan 2011
Items For Sale 222
Items Sold 553
Holmes Antiques
Verified Since Jan 2011
View Dealer Info
Location: West Yorkshire, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/holmes
Verified
Jan 2011
For Sale
222
Sold
553
A 17th century carved oak coffer featuring three lozenge-carved front panels, leaf motifs, and ebonised detailing.
A rare 17th Century Ebonized Dorset Coffer
Ref: SA1077750
A 17th century carved oak coffer featuring three lozenge-carved front panels, leaf motifs, and ebonised detailing.
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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectCoffers & Chests
  • Period17th century
  • Style17th Century Jacobean
  • MaterialOak, Ebonised Wood
  • ColourDark Brown
  • MotifsLozenge carving, Ebonised detailing, Three-panel front, Foliate frieze
  • SizeH 70 cm (28 in) x W 105 cm (41 in) x D 49 cm (19 in)

This 17th-century Jacobean Dorset coffer is made from oak with dark brown timber and ebonized details. The front shows a three-panel layout with lozenge carvings, alongside a foliate frieze running along the top and bottom rails, and vertical leaf motifs separating the panels. The wood displays an untouched surface with dry dark brown tones and contrasting dark inlay work, while the front holds a central metal escutcheon around the keyhole. Original ring hinges secure the lid, and the interior contains a built-in candle box. Practical for storage, this chest stands 70 cm high, 105 cm wide, and 49 cm deep on straight upright feet. It fits well in a hallway, bedroom, or living room as a traditional storage trunk or blanket box in an English Country House interior.

FAQs

A 17th-century Dorset coffer is a regional variation of the traditional English oak storage chest, constructed in the county of Dorset during the Stuart period. These pieces are identified by specific geometric and foliate carving patterns, such as lozenge motifs and stylised leaves, often enhanced with ebonised detailing.

Coffers from this period were primarily constructed from solid English oak using mortise and tenon joinery secured with wooden pegs. The structure consists of framed panels fitted into grooves, allowing the timber to expand and contract naturally without splitting.

Authentic pieces feature hand-cut joinery, visible wooden pegs, hand-sawn timber marks, and original wire or iron loop hinges. Natural wear should be evident on the base rails and feet where the wood has made contact with floor surfaces over centuries.

A period coffer functions well positioned in an entryway, at the foot of a bed, or beneath artwork in a hallway. Combining dark patinated oak with light linen textiles or contemporary stone creates a balanced textural contrast in a living space.

To preserve the historic finish, dust the surfaces regularly with a soft dry cloth and apply a natural beeswax polish sparingly once per year. Ensure the piece is kept away from direct heat sources and damp environments to prevent movement in the wood.
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