for sale €1,503 $1,632

£1,285

London City Antiques

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Id #SA1202636

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Antique 17th Century Carved Oak Coffer Chest Blanket Box with Original Candle Box

Name: Antique 17th Century Carved Oak Coffer Chest Blanket Box with Original Candle Box
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1202636
Price: 1285 GBP
Availability: InStock

17th century

For Sale by London City Antiques

Description

A superb antique oak coffer of excellent colour and presence, the front beautifully carved with repeating stylised foliate panels, framed by simple upright stiles and raised on solid end supports. The hinged plank top opens to a generous interior, retaining its original candle box to one side.

Coffers such as this were essential household pieces in the 17th century, used for storing linens, clothing and valuables, often doubling as seating or placed at the end of a bed. In many homes this would have been one of the most important pieces of furniture, serving both practical and secure storage purposes.

The original candle box is a particularly desirable survival. Positioned internally, it was designed to safely store candles, tinder and small personal items away from the main contents of the chest. In a time before electric lighting, candles were valuable everyday essentials, and keeping them dry, protected and easily accessible was important. The presence of the candle box adds authenticity and gives a direct insight into how the piece would have been used.

The carving is especially attractive, giving the coffer strong decorative appeal while still retaining a robust, honest country feel. The proportions are well balanced and the interior offers excellent storage capacity.

Condition report: Good solid condition overall with age-related wear throughout. The top shows marks, wear and historic movement consistent with age and use. The interior is clean and usable with expected signs of age. The carving remains crisp and well defined. A genuine, untouched example with plenty of character.

Dimensions:

Height: 66 cm (26 inches)

Width: 129 cm (50.8 inches)

Depth: 55.5 cm (21.9 inches)

Date: 1680

Origin: English

Physical Dimensions

Height

66cm (25.98")

Width

129cm (50.79")

Depth

55.5cm (21.85")

Declaration

London City Antiques has dated this Carved Oak Coffer Chest to the 17th Century.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1202636

Dealers Internal Reference

3044

Dealers Notes

Find our large selection at www.londoncityantiques.co.uk

Please feel free to contact us should you have any questions regarding this item. We are always happy to provide additional information, further photographs or videos.

At London City Antiques we specialise in fine antique furniture and decorative pieces and hold an extensive and constantly changing collection. With many years of experience in the antiques trade we take great care in accurately describing each item and ensuring it is presented and delivered to the highest standard.

We can arrange competitive UK and international shipping and work with trusted specialist couriers who regularly transport antiques worldwide. Please contact us for a shipping quotation.

All pieces shipped internationally are supplied with an official Antique Declaration for customs purposes. Antiques over 100 years old are exempt from import duty when entering the USA and generally attract a reduced rate of duty when imported from the UK into most European countries.

Buy with confidence — every piece is carefully inspected and professionally packed to ensure it arrives safely.

Description

“

Coffers such as this were essential household pieces in the 17th century, used for storing linens, clothing and valuables, often doubling as seating or placed at the end of a bed.

London City Antiques

In many homes this would have been one of the most important pieces of furniture, serving both practical and secure storage purposes.

fig 1. A dark-finished 17th-century oak coffer featuring three carved front panels with arch motifs and a flat hinged lid. — fig 1. Antique 17th Century Carved Oak Coffer Chest Blanket Box with Original Candle Box

The original candle box is a particularly desirable survival. Positioned internally, it was designed to safely store candles, tinder and small personal items away from the main contents of the chest. In a time before electric lighting, candles were valuable everyday essentials, and keeping them dry, protected and easily accessible was important. The presence of the candle box adds authenticity and gives a direct insight into how the piece would have been used.

fig 2. A dark-finished 17th-century oak coffer featuring three carved front panels with arch motifs and a flat hinged lid. — fig 2. Antique 17th Century Carved Oak Coffer Chest Blanket Box with Original Candle Box

The carving is especially attractive, giving the coffer strong decorative appeal while still retaining a robust, honest country feel. The proportions are well balanced and the interior offers excellent storage capacity.

fig 3. A dark-finished 17th-century oak coffer featuring three carved front panels with arch motifs and a flat hinged lid. — fig 3. Antique 17th Century Carved Oak Coffer Chest Blanket Box with Original Candle Box

Condition report: Good solid condition overall with age-related wear throughout. The top shows marks, wear and historic movement consistent with age and use. The interior is clean and usable with expected signs of age. The carving remains crisp and well defined. A genuine, untouched example with plenty of character.

Dimensions:

Height: 66 cm (26 inches)

Width: 129 cm (50.8 inches)

Depth: 55.5 cm (21.9 inches)

Date: 1680

Origin: English

Physical Dimensions

Height

66cm (25.98")

Width

129cm (50.79")

Depth

55.5cm (21.85")

Date of Manufacture

London City Antiques has dated this Carved Oak Coffer Chest to the 17th Century.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Ref

SA1202636

Dealers Internal Ref

3044

About the Dealer

London City Antiques

Sellingantiques verified Since Jun 2020

At london city antiques we specialise in fine english antiques

Dealer Profile

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

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A dark-finished 17th-century oak coffer featuring three carved front panels with arch motifs and a flat hinged lid.

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Archive I

Antique 17th Century Carved Oak Coffer Chest Blanket Box With Original Candle Box

Archive II

A dark-finished 17th-century oak coffer featuring three carved front panels with arch motifs and a flat hinged lid. View II

Archive III

A dark-finished 17th-century oak coffer featuring three carved front panels with arch motifs and a flat hinged lid. View III

Archive IV

A dark-finished 17th-century oak coffer featuring three carved front panels with arch motifs and a flat hinged lid. View IV

Archive V

A dark-finished 17th-century oak coffer featuring three carved front panels with arch motifs and a flat hinged lid. View V

Archive VI

A dark-finished 17th-century oak coffer featuring three carved front panels with arch motifs and a flat hinged lid. View VI

Archive VII

A dark-finished 17th-century oak coffer featuring three carved front panels with arch motifs and a flat hinged lid. View VII

Archive VIII

A dark-finished 17th-century oak coffer featuring three carved front panels with arch motifs and a flat hinged lid. View VIII

Archive IX

A dark-finished 17th-century oak coffer featuring three carved front panels with arch motifs and a flat hinged lid. View IX

Archive X

A dark-finished 17th-century oak coffer featuring three carved front panels with arch motifs and a flat hinged lid. View X

Archive XI

A dark-finished 17th-century oak coffer featuring three carved front panels with arch motifs and a flat hinged lid. View XI

Archive XII

A dark-finished 17th-century oak coffer featuring three carved front panels with arch motifs and a flat hinged lid. View XII

A 17th-century oak coffer is a heavy wooden storage chest constructed with pegged mortise and tenon joinery. Popular during the Jacobean and Carolean eras, these pieces typically featured hand-carved front panels and served as primary storage for household linens, textiles, and valuables.

These chests were predominantly crafted from slow-grown European oak, known for its density and durability. The joinery relied on wooden oak pegs rather than metal screws, and original ironwork was used for strap hinges, lock plates, and candle box fittings.

Authentic period coffers display hand-hewn timber marks, irregular peg placement, and natural oxidation within the grain and interior. Look for original joinery techniques, authentic wear patterns around the base and lid, and period-correct carving styles such as arches, gouge work, or floral motifs.

A carved oak coffer functions effectively as a focal point at the foot of a bed, in a hallway for footwear storage, or positioned alongside modern seating in a living space. The dark timber and textured carving contrast cleanly against modern plastered walls and contemporary fabrics.

Maintain the timber by applying a high-quality beeswax polish once or twice a year to nourish the wood and preserve the patina. Keep the piece away from direct heat sources and radiator units to prevent the oak planks from shrinking or splitting.

London City Antiques

Antique 17th Century Carved Oak Coffer Chest Blanket Box with Original Candle Box

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Antique 17th Century Carved Oak Coffer Chest Blanket Box with Original Candle Box

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London City Antiques

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The Sustainable Choice

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