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ID #SA1162679
FOR SALE
£650
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Early 19th Century Painted Pine Seaman's Chest – “Emblem of Liberty”
Rob Hall Antiques
for sale €761     $826
£650

Rob Hall Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Aug 2025
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Early 19th Century Painted Pine Seaman's Chest – “Emblem of Liberty”

19th century
Description

A wonderfully original early 19th century Anglo American painted pine seaman's chest, the exterior in a dry, worn black paint with original iron-mounted rope beckets to each end. The tapered chest is deeper at the base to ensure stability whilst on board ship.

The interior lid reveals a striking folk-art tableau: a Union Flag and British Red Ensign flanking a stylised United States shield, beneath a hand-lettered scroll reading “Emblem of Liberty”. The painting is naïve yet confident, the colours softened but still vivid, and speaks of the post-War of 1812 period when Anglo-American maritime ties were both practical and symbolic. Beneath the flags two cannon face each other

Undoubtedly the work of a sailor , the interior decoration would have been a personal expression of identity, pride and political sentiment — concealed when the chest was closed, but displayed to those invited to look inside.

The chest retains its original small candle/coin till to one side, and has the honest wear and knocks expected from a working piece that has travelled the world.

Wear, abrasions and paint losses to exterior; interior painting bright with age-related marks and small areas of surface wear.

Measurements: At base 87 cm, lid 92 cm wide. Base 45 cm deep tapering to 40 cm deep at top. 41 cm high

British, c.1830

Physical Dimensions
Height
41cm (16.14")
Width
92cm (36.22")
Depth
45cm (17.72")
Declaration

Rob Hall Antiques has dated this Painted Pine Sea Chest to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1162679
Description
A wonderfully original early 19th century Anglo American painted pine seaman's chest, the exterior in a dry, worn black paint with original iron-mounted rope beckets to each end. The tapered chest is deeper at the base to ensure stability whilst on board ship.
“
The interior lid reveals a striking folk-art tableau: a Union Flag and British Red Ensign flanking a stylised United States shield, beneath a hand-lettered scroll reading “Emblem of Liberty”.
Rob Hall Antiques

The painting is naïve yet confident, the colours softened but still vivid, and speaks of the post-War of 1812 period when Anglo-American maritime ties were both practical and symbolic. Beneath the flags two cannon face each other

fig 1. An early nineteenth-century dark painted pine seamans chest with an open lid revealing hand-painted flags and a banner reading Emblem of Liberty.
fig 1. Early 19th Century Painted Pine Seaman's Chest – “Emblem of Liberty”

Undoubtedly the work of a sailor , the interior decoration would have been a personal expression of identity, pride and political sentiment — concealed when the chest was closed, but displayed to those invited to look inside.

fig 2. An early nineteenth-century dark painted pine seamans chest with an open lid revealing hand-painted flags and a banner reading Emblem of Liberty.
fig 2. Early 19th Century Painted Pine Seaman's Chest – “Emblem of Liberty”

The chest retains its original small candle/coin till to one side, and has the honest wear and knocks expected from a working piece that has travelled the world.

Wear, abrasions and paint losses to exterior; interior painting bright with age-related marks and small areas of surface wear.

Measurements: At base 87 cm, lid 92 cm wide. Base 45 cm deep tapering to 40 cm deep at top. 41 cm high

British, c.1830

Height
41cm (16.14")
Width
92cm (36.22")
Depth
45cm (17.72")
Date of Manufacture

Rob Hall Antiques has dated this Painted Pine Sea Chest to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1162679
Rob Hall Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Aug 2025
Dealer Profile

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

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An early nineteenth-century dark painted pine seamans chest with an open lid revealing hand-painted flags and a banner reading Emblem of Liberty.
1 / 10
Archive I An early nineteenth-century dark painted pine seamans chest with an open lid revealing hand-painted flags and a banner reading Emblem of Liberty.

Early 19th Century Painted Pine Seaman's Chest – “Emblem of Liberty”

Archive II An early nineteenth-century dark painted pine seamans chest with an open lid revealing hand-painted flags and a banner reading Emblem of Liberty. View II
Archive III An early nineteenth-century dark painted pine seamans chest with an open lid revealing hand-painted flags and a banner reading Emblem of Liberty. View III
Archive IV An early nineteenth-century dark painted pine seamans chest with an open lid revealing hand-painted flags and a banner reading Emblem of Liberty. View IV
Archive V An early nineteenth-century dark painted pine seamans chest with an open lid revealing hand-painted flags and a banner reading Emblem of Liberty. View V
Archive VI An early nineteenth-century dark painted pine seamans chest with an open lid revealing hand-painted flags and a banner reading Emblem of Liberty. View VI
Archive VII An early nineteenth-century dark painted pine seamans chest with an open lid revealing hand-painted flags and a banner reading Emblem of Liberty. View VII
Archive VIII An early nineteenth-century dark painted pine seamans chest with an open lid revealing hand-painted flags and a banner reading Emblem of Liberty. View VIII
Archive IX An early nineteenth-century dark painted pine seamans chest with an open lid revealing hand-painted flags and a banner reading Emblem of Liberty. View IX
Archive X An early nineteenth-century dark painted pine seamans chest with an open lid revealing hand-painted flags and a banner reading Emblem of Liberty. View X
Enlarged Archival View

Rob Hall Antiques
Telephone 07858 820345
Location
Northamptonshire
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/robhallantiques
Verified Since Aug 2025
Items For Sale 47
Items Sold 24
Rob Hall Antiques
Verified Since Aug 2025
View Dealer Info
Location: Northamptonshire, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/robhallantiques
Verified
Aug 2025
For Sale
47
Sold
24
An early nineteenth-century dark painted pine seamans chest with an open lid revealing hand-painted flags and a banner reading Emblem of Liberty.
Early 19th Century Painted Pine Seaman's Chest – “Emblem of Liberty”
Ref: SA1162679
An early nineteenth-century dark painted pine seamans chest with an open lid revealing hand-painted flags and a banner reading Emblem of Liberty.
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FAQs

A seamans chest is a sturdy wooden storage trunk traditionally used by sailors to secure personal belongings, tools, and equipment aboard ships during long maritime voyages.

They were commonly built using durable timber such as pine, constructed with dovetail joints for strength, sloping sides for stability on deck, and hand-forged iron hardware alongside woven rope handles.

Authentic pieces exhibit hand-cut dovetail joints, original iron or brass lock plates, age-appropriate wear to the timber, and often feature custom folk art or maritime flags painted on the underside of the lid.

These functional antiques serve as practical coffee tables, statement hallway storage, or decorative blanket boxes at the foot of a bed in coastal or traditional interior schemes.

Dust gently with a soft dry cloth to protect fragile paintwork, avoid harsh chemical cleaners, apply a clear microcrystalline wax sparingly to bare timber, and keep away from direct heat sources.
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