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Large Antique Mule Chest, English, Carved Oak, Coffer, William Iii, Circa 1700
London Fine Antiques
for sale €4,271     $4,636
£3,650
London Fine Antiques

London Fine Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Oct 2010
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Large Antique Mule Chest, English, Carved Oak, Coffer, William Iii, Circa 1700

18th century
Description

Our Stock # 24676

This is a large antique mule chest. An English, carved oak coffer, dating to the late 17th century, circa 1700.

Superb chest, with striking William III craftsmanship and generous proportion

Displays a desirable aged patina and in good order throughout

Quality oak stocks present fine grain interest and wisps of medullary rays

Graced with deep caramel hues, accentuating the delightful nature of the chest

Two-thirds opening top, the whole crafted from a trio of broad planks

Folds backwards upon a pair of brass hinges to reveal the pleasingly clean interior

Lower frame hosting a pair of useful drawers, dressed with a duet of brass drop handles

Antique iron lock escutcheon to upper edge — untested, key absent

Field panel fascia with three carved foliate scenes, issuing flowerheads and leaves

Further adorned with exceptional relief forms, in scroll and plant motif

Engraved across the lower fascia with the monogram HW, and the date 1687

The whole standing upon a quartet of block section feet beneath a panelled back

This is a striking antique mule chest, with excellence in proportion and appearance. Solid joints and construction, delivered ready for the home.

Dimensions:

Max Width: 144.5cm (57'')

Max Depth: 58.5cm (23'')

Max Height: 80.5cm (31.75'')

Internal Width: 130.5cm (51.5'')

Internal Depth: 48cm (19'')

Internal Height: 48.5cm (19'')

Drawer Width: 51cm (20'')

Drawer Depth: 48.5cm (19'')

Drawer Height: 11cm (4.25'')

We offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee with all of our antiques.

We ship worldwide with professional packing and attractive rates – please send us your post / zip code and country for a quote.

Free delivery to most of the U.K. – Please send us your post code for confirmation.

Deliveries taking on average ten working days to arrive at your door from receipt of payment.

Please contact us if you require any further information - we are here to help.

Our Ref: 24676

Physical Dimensions
Height
80.5cm (31.69")
Width
144.5cm (56.89")
Depth
58.5cm (23.03")
Declaration

London Fine Antiques has dated this Antique Oak Mule Chest to the 1700s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1097940
Dealers Internal Reference
24676
Dealers Notes

What our clients have to say: https://www.londonfine.co.uk/pages/reviews

Description
Our Stock # 24676

This is a large antique mule chest. An English, carved oak coffer, dating to the late 17th century, circa 1700.

Superb chest, with striking William III craftsmanship and generous proportion

fig 1. A large antique English carved oak mule chest featuring three relief-carved front panels above two drawers with brass handles.
fig 1. Large Antique Mule Chest, English, Carved Oak, Coffer, William Iii, Circa 1700

Displays a desirable aged patina and in good order throughout

Quality oak stocks present fine grain interest and wisps of medullary rays

Graced with deep caramel hues, accentuating the delightful nature of the chest

fig 2. A large antique English carved oak mule chest featuring three relief-carved front panels above two drawers with brass handles.
fig 2. Large Antique Mule Chest, English, Carved Oak, Coffer, William Iii, Circa 1700

Two-thirds opening top, the whole crafted from a trio of broad planks

Folds backwards upon a pair of brass hinges to reveal the pleasingly clean interior

Lower frame hosting a pair of useful drawers, dressed with a duet of brass drop handles

fig 3. A large antique English carved oak mule chest featuring three relief-carved front panels above two drawers with brass handles.
fig 3. Large Antique Mule Chest, English, Carved Oak, Coffer, William Iii, Circa 1700

Antique iron lock escutcheon to upper edge — untested, key absent

Field panel fascia with three carved foliate scenes, issuing flowerheads and leaves

Further adorned with exceptional relief forms, in scroll and plant motif

fig 4. A large antique English carved oak mule chest featuring three relief-carved front panels above two drawers with brass handles.
fig 4. Large Antique Mule Chest, English, Carved Oak, Coffer, William Iii, Circa 1700

Engraved across the lower fascia with the monogram HW, and the date 1687

The whole standing upon a quartet of block section feet beneath a panelled back

This is a striking antique mule chest, with excellence in proportion and appearance. Solid joints and construction, delivered ready for the home.

fig 5. A large antique English carved oak mule chest featuring three relief-carved front panels above two drawers with brass handles.
fig 5. Large Antique Mule Chest, English, Carved Oak, Coffer, William Iii, Circa 1700

Dimensions:

Max Width: 144.5cm (57'')

Max Depth: 58.5cm (23'')

Max Height: 80.5cm (31.75'')

Internal Width: 130.5cm (51.5'')

Internal Depth: 48cm (19'')

Internal Height: 48.5cm (19'')

Drawer Width: 51cm (20'')

fig 6. A large antique English carved oak mule chest featuring three relief-carved front panels above two drawers with brass handles.
fig 6. Large Antique Mule Chest, English, Carved Oak, Coffer, William Iii, Circa 1700

Drawer Depth: 48.5cm (19'')

Drawer Height: 11cm (4.25'')

We offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee with all of our antiques.

We ship worldwide with professional packing and attractive rates – please send us your post / zip code and country for a quote.
London Fine Antiques
fig 7. A large antique English carved oak mule chest featuring three relief-carved front panels above two drawers with brass handles.
fig 7. Large Antique Mule Chest, English, Carved Oak, Coffer, William Iii, Circa 1700

Free delivery to most of the U.K. – Please send us your post code for confirmation.

Deliveries taking on average ten working days to arrive at your door from receipt of payment.

Please contact us if you require any further information - we are here to help.

Our Ref: 24676

Height
80.5cm (31.69")
Width
144.5cm (56.89")
Depth
58.5cm (23.03")
Date of Manufacture

London Fine Antiques has dated this Antique Oak Mule Chest to the 1700s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1097940
Dealers Internal Ref
24676
London Fine Antiques
London Fine Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Oct 2010

Fine antiques curated in england and sold worldwide

Dealer Profile

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

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A large antique English carved oak mule chest featuring three relief-carved front panels above two drawers with brass handles.
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Archive I A large antique English carved oak mule chest featuring three relief-carved front panels above two drawers with brass handles.

Large Antique Mule Chest, English, Carved Oak, Coffer, William III, Circa 1700

Archive II A large antique English carved oak mule chest featuring three relief-carved front panels above two drawers with brass handles. View II
Archive III A large antique English carved oak mule chest featuring three relief-carved front panels above two drawers with brass handles. View III
Archive IV A large antique English carved oak mule chest featuring three relief-carved front panels above two drawers with brass handles. View IV
Archive V A large antique English carved oak mule chest featuring three relief-carved front panels above two drawers with brass handles. View V
Archive VI A large antique English carved oak mule chest featuring three relief-carved front panels above two drawers with brass handles. View VI
Archive VII A large antique English carved oak mule chest featuring three relief-carved front panels above two drawers with brass handles. View VII
Archive VIII A large antique English carved oak mule chest featuring three relief-carved front panels above two drawers with brass handles. View VIII
Archive IX A large antique English carved oak mule chest featuring three relief-carved front panels above two drawers with brass handles. View IX
Archive X A large antique English carved oak mule chest featuring three relief-carved front panels above two drawers with brass handles. View X
Archive XI A large antique English carved oak mule chest featuring three relief-carved front panels above two drawers with brass handles. View XI
Archive XII A large antique English carved oak mule chest featuring three relief-carved front panels above two drawers with brass handles. View XII
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Telephone 0207 1833511
Location
The Antique Village
Hele
Exeter
Devon
EX5 4PW
United Kingdom
Verified Since Oct 2010
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London Fine Antiques
London Fine Antiques
Verified Since Oct 2010
View Dealer Info
Location: The Antique Village, Hele, Exeter, Devon , EX5 4PW, United Kingdom
Verified
Oct 2010
For Sale
939
Sold
5,598
A large antique English carved oak mule chest featuring three relief-carved front panels above two drawers with brass handles.
Large Antique Mule Chest, English, Carved Oak, Coffer, William III, Circa 1700
Ref: SA1097940
A large antique English carved oak mule chest featuring three relief-carved front panels above two drawers with brass handles.
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Every single antique dealer on our platform is individually approved by our internal team. We verify their professional trade history, ethical standards, and photographic quality to ensure a secure, high-standard buying environment. Upon joining, every dealer agrees to a strict 9-point code of conduct. While issues can occasionally arise, our dealers typically resolve them swiftly and directly with the buyer. In fact, since our founding in 2002, Sellingantiques has only had to step in to help resolve an issue on roughly five occasions—a true testament to the quality of our dealers and their dedication to your happiness.
Our dealers are highly experienced in packing and shipping fragile, high-value antiques. Because you are in direct contact with the dealer, you will be able to easily go through all available shipping and insurance options together to ensure your item arrives safely.
Antiques are the ultimate green purchase. By choosing historical pieces over newly manufactured goods, you completely eliminate the carbon footprint of modern mass production while preserving exceptional, timeless craftsmanship.

A mule chest is a traditional storage vessel combining a top coffer compartment with one or two drawers set into the base. Emerging in late 17th-century England, it bridged the design evolution between simple trunks and fully developed chests of drawers.

These pieces were constructed using solid English oak assembled with mortise and tenon joinery secured by wooden dowels or pegs. Tops were fitted with iron strap hinges, while decorative facades featured hand-carved relief panels.

Authentic period coffers feature hand-planed secondary timbers, irregular peg placement, and natural oxidisation inside the wood grain. Evidence of early joinery techniques and historical wear around handles and hinges further confirms authenticity.

A heavy oak coffer serves as a structural anchor in an entryway, a functional coffee table in a spacious living room, or placement at the foot of a bed. Pairing dark oak with clean neutral walls and soft textiles balances historical weight with modern clarity.

Apply a high-quality natural beeswax polish once or twice a year to preserve the wood finish and prevent drying. Keep the chest away from direct heat sources and maintain stable humidity levels to avoid timber shrinkage or warping.
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