What is a Charles II bible box?

Originating in late 17th-century England during the reign of King Charles II, a bible box is a small wooden chest crafted primarily to house personal Bibles, family records, and writing utensils.

What materials were traditionally used to construct early oak bible boxes?

These boxes were predominantly constructed from solid English oak, joined with wooden pegs or iron nails, and fitted with hand-forged wrought-iron lockplates and strap hinges.

How can you identify an authentic 17th-century oak box?

Authentic period examples exhibit hand-cut joinery, visible gouge marks from hand-carving tools, natural timber shrinkage across the grain, and deep, uneven patination built up over centuries.

How do you style an antique bible box in a modern interior?

An oak box works effectively as a tactile focal point on a sleek modern sideboard, hallway console, or deep bookshelf, offering organic texture alongside practical concealed storage.

How should early carved oak furniture be cared for and preserved?

Dust regularly with a dry microfibre cloth and apply a clear beeswax polish sparingly once or twice a year, keeping the wood away from direct heat sources and high humidity.

for sale €872 $946

£745

Yolanda Gray Antiques

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Yolanda Gray Antiques is a registered member of LAPADA CINOA

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Antique English 17th Century Charles II Oak Carved Bible Box (Circa 1680)

17th century

For Sale by Yolanda Gray Antiques

Description

Summary:

• Item: Oak Bible Box

• Circa: 1680

• Period: Charles II

• Provenance: England, UK

• Wood: Solid oak

• Width: 78.5cm / 30?” / 2ft 6?”

• Boarded construction

• Original scroll & lunette carvings

• Twin-plank top

• Victorian iron strap hinges

• Working lock & iron plate & clasp (with key)

• Original interior

• Excellent colour & patination

• Good condition

• Free delivery to England, Wales & Southern Scotland*

• 14-day free UK returns

This is a fine quality antique English late 17th century oak bible box, with a boarded construction, boasting a lovely colour and patination, with original scroll carvings to the front and side panels, circa 1680, in good condition. The oak storage box, which is of generous proportions, comprises a twin-plank oak top, finished with cleated ends, secured by Victorian iron strap hinges to the box. The carved box incorporates an iron plate and locking clasp, with a restored internal working lock, which comes with a working key. The front of the oak bible box is profusely carved with very good quality original scroll carvings interspersed with smaller floral carvings and large lunette carvings on the sides, finished on a punch work background.

Inside, the interior is clean, dry and practical and usable. The interior also retains its original floorboards and backboards. The oak bible box sits on a twin-plank oak base, with a primitive moulded plinth. The back of the box retains its original panels along with the original floor.

Condition Report:

This is a fine quality antique English late 17th century oak bible box, with a boarded construction, boasting a lovely colour and patination, with original scroll & lunette carvings to the front and side panels, circa 1680, in good condition. Nominal old use marks to the top, external sides and leading edges, but nothing significant considering the age of the item (see photos). Shrinkage and old splits visible to the top and sides (common in large oak planks), though the box is solid in joint. The carvings on the front of the box are original. The interior is clean, dry, and usable. We believe the iron strap hinges are old Victorian replacement hinges – they are strong and in good working order. The box retains its original lid, floor, sides and back. The oak bible box incorporates an iron plate and locking clasp, with a later working lock and key. The oak chest boasts its original patination and stunning colour to the exterior. This 17th century box is solid in joint and is ready to use.

Price:

The price for this item is £745 which includes free delivery to mainland England, Wales & southern Scotland* and free 14-day returns.

Free UK Delivery*:

We offer free delivery to mainland England, Wales, and Southern Scotland (anywhere south of Stirling). *We do not offer free delivery to locations north of Stirling in Scotland, Northern Ireland, or any British Islands off the mainland; for example, the Isle of Man, Isle of White and Channel Islands.

International Buyers:

If you live outside the UK and you would like to purchase this item, please contact us before purchasing it, so that we can obtain an accurate shipping quote and delivery lead-time. The shipping quote provided is a global estimate only. The actual shipping cost will vary by country and postcode.

About the Seller:

This item is being sold by Yola Gray Antiques who is an accredited member of LAPADA (the UK’s largest trade association of professional art and antique dealers) and CINOA.

Ref. 106954

Physical Dimensions

Height

20cm (7.87")

Width

78.5cm (30.91")

Depth

48cm (18.90")

Declaration

Yolanda Gray Antiques has dated this Carved Oak Bible Box to the 17th Century.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1085590

Dealers Internal Reference

106954

Dealers Notes

Please contact us on 01829 458 070 or 07960 738 212 to arrange a viewing. Alternatively, please email: info@yolagray.com

Description

Summary:

• Item: Oak Bible Box

• Circa: 1680

• Period: Charles II

• Provenance: England, UK

• Wood: Solid oak

• Width: 78.5cm / 30?” / 2ft 6?”

• Boarded construction

• Original scroll & lunette carvings

• Twin-plank top

fig 1. A dark brown 17th-century carved oak bible box featuring intricate scrollwork on the front panel and a central iron keyhole escutcheon. — fig 1. Antique English 17th Century Charles II Oak Carved Bible Box (Circa 1680)

• Victorian iron strap hinges

• Working lock & iron plate & clasp (with key)

• Original interior

• Excellent colour & patination

• Good condition

• Free delivery to England, Wales & Southern Scotland*

• 14-day free UK returns

This is a fine quality antique English late 17th century oak bible box, with a boarded construction, boasting a lovely colour and patination, with original scroll carvings to the front and side panels, circa 1680, in good condition.

“

The oak storage box, which is of generous proportions, comprises a twin-plank oak top, finished with cleated ends, secured by Victorian iron strap hinges to the box.

Yolanda Gray Antiques

The carved box incorporates an iron plate and locking clasp, with a restored internal working lock, which comes with a working key. The front of the oak bible box is profusely carved with very good quality original scroll carvings interspersed with smaller floral carvings and large lunette carvings on the sides, finished on a punch work background.

fig 2. A dark brown 17th-century carved oak bible box featuring intricate scrollwork on the front panel and a central iron keyhole escutcheon. — fig 2. Antique English 17th Century Charles II Oak Carved Bible Box (Circa 1680)

Inside, the interior is clean, dry and practical and usable. The interior also retains its original floorboards and backboards. The oak bible box sits on a twin-plank oak base, with a primitive moulded plinth. The back of the box retains its original panels along with the original floor.

fig 3. A dark brown 17th-century carved oak bible box featuring intricate scrollwork on the front panel and a central iron keyhole escutcheon. — fig 3. Antique English 17th Century Charles II Oak Carved Bible Box (Circa 1680)

Condition Report:

This is a fine quality antique English late 17th century oak bible box, with a boarded construction, boasting a lovely colour and patination, with original scroll & lunette carvings to the front and side panels, circa 1680, in good condition. Nominal old use marks to the top, external sides and leading edges, but nothing significant considering the age of the item (see photos). Shrinkage and old splits visible to the top and sides (common in large oak planks), though the box is solid in joint. The carvings on the front of the box are original. The interior is clean, dry, and usable. We believe the iron strap hinges are old Victorian replacement hinges – they are strong and in good working order. The box retains its original lid, floor, sides and back. The oak bible box incorporates an iron plate and locking clasp, with a later working lock and key. The oak chest boasts its original patination and stunning colour to the exterior. This 17th century box is solid in joint and is ready to use.

fig 4. A dark brown 17th-century carved oak bible box featuring intricate scrollwork on the front panel and a central iron keyhole escutcheon. — fig 4. Antique English 17th Century Charles II Oak Carved Bible Box (Circa 1680)

Price:

The price for this item is £745 which includes free delivery to mainland England, Wales & southern Scotland* and free 14-day returns.

Free UK Delivery*:

We offer free delivery to mainland England, Wales, and Southern Scotland (anywhere south of Stirling). *We do not offer free delivery to locations north of Stirling in Scotland, Northern Ireland, or any British Islands off the mainland; for example, the Isle of Man, Isle of White and Channel Islands.

fig 5. A dark brown 17th-century carved oak bible box featuring intricate scrollwork on the front panel and a central iron keyhole escutcheon. — fig 5. Antique English 17th Century Charles II Oak Carved Bible Box (Circa 1680)

International Buyers:

If you live outside the UK and you would like to purchase this item, please contact us before purchasing it, so that we can obtain an accurate shipping quote and delivery lead-time. The shipping quote provided is a global estimate only. The actual shipping cost will vary by country and postcode.

fig 6. A dark brown 17th-century carved oak bible box featuring intricate scrollwork on the front panel and a central iron keyhole escutcheon. — fig 6. Antique English 17th Century Charles II Oak Carved Bible Box (Circa 1680)

About the Seller:

This item is being sold by Yola Gray Antiques who is an accredited member of LAPADA (the UK’s largest trade association of professional art and antique dealers) and CINOA.

Ref. 106954