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ID #SA1218898
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A Ships Carved Oak and Steel Bound Strong Box Circa 1840
Robert Belcher Antiques
for sale €995     $1,080
£850
Robert Belcher Antiques

Robert Belcher Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Jul 2017
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    Robert belcher antiques was established in 1984 and is a high quality retailer of interesting, rare antiques and decorative items.
Id #SA1218898
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A Ships Carved Oak and Steel Bound Strong Box Circa 1840

19th century
Description

A rare ship or country house carved oak and steel bound strong box, circa 1840.

This fabulous and richly carved oak strong box most likely belonged to a 19th century ship’s captain and was used for storing money and valuables. It is of a smaller size than the type used in country houses. It is made from very thick English oak which is jointed and fixed with handmade steel clout nails then further reinforced with straps and braces made from thick wrought steel with hinged hasps originally used for locking with two sturdy padlocks.

Although this piece is very functional for its purpose this rare piece is also very decorative. It is deeply carved with numerous figures and enhanced with leafy foliate panels. At each end, there is a hinged, substantially cast brass carrying handle. The lid opens to reveal a plain interior with a central hole in its base which would have been used to bolt the box to the floor for security.

This interesting piece dates to the second quarter of the 19th century. It is in good condition and is unusual in this small size.

Circa 1840

Height 30cm x width 54cm x depth 32.5cm

Physical Dimensions
Height
30cm (11.81")
Width
54cm (21.26")
Depth
32.5cm (12.80")
Declaration

Robert Belcher Antiques has dated this Carved Oak Strong Box to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1218898
Dealers Notes

Robert Belcher Antiques was established in 1984 and is a high-quality retailer of interesting, rare antiques and decorative objects. After forty years of shop keeping and maintaining beautiful showrooms, which have been regularly open six days a week, Robert and Wendy have now taken a slightly different approach to their business. Having sold their retail premises, the antique business is now fully online. The picture framing service has ceased to operate because of moving online.

You can contact Robert and Wendy by email or telephone to discuss items from their extensive catalogue of attractive pieces and make purchases. Customers can rest assured that the long-established dealership is continuing to run in an exceedingly professional way, selling genuine and high-quality items which are guaranteed to please the most discerning collector, decorator or homeowner.

All items will be personally hand packaged to a high standard. Small items are extensively wrapped using the best materials and are often double boxed. Items are then shipped with DHL or Royal Mail fully insured and often with next day delivery. Larger items would be personally delivered or sent with a specialist antique delivery firm, or for outside the U.K, a professional shipping company.

Please enjoy viewing their collection of rare and interesting pieces and have the assurance that Robert and Wendy will do their utmost to make sure your experience is exceptional, as has been recognised by many customers who have bought with confidence regularly over the years.

Contact details

Email: robertbelcherantiques@gmail.com

Telephone: 01905 622468

Mobile 07929 011224

07720 607007

Website: https://www.robertbelcherantiques.co.uk

Instagram: robertbelcherantiques

Description
A rare ship or country house carved oak and steel bound strong box, circa 1840.
This fabulous and richly carved oak strong box most likely belonged to a 19th century ship’s captain and was used for storing money and valuables.
Robert Belcher Antiques

It is of a smaller size than the type used in country houses. It is made from very thick English oak which is jointed and fixed with handmade steel clout nails then further reinforced with straps and braces made from thick wrought steel with hinged hasps originally used for locking with two sturdy padlocks.

fig 1. A dark carved oak strong box featuring metal binding straps, side drop handles, and relief carvings of figures and foliage.
fig 1. A Ships Carved Oak and Steel Bound Strong Box Circa 1840

Although this piece is very functional for its purpose this rare piece is also very decorative. It is deeply carved with numerous figures and enhanced with leafy foliate panels. At each end, there is a hinged, substantially cast brass carrying handle. The lid opens to reveal a plain interior with a central hole in its base which would have been used to bolt the box to the floor for security.

This interesting piece dates to the second quarter of the 19th century. It is in good condition and is unusual in this small size.

Circa 1840

Height 30cm x width 54cm x depth 32.5cm

Height
30cm (11.81")
Width
54cm (21.26")
Depth
32.5cm (12.80")
Date of Manufacture

Robert Belcher Antiques has dated this Carved Oak Strong Box to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1218898
Robert Belcher Antiques
Robert Belcher Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Jul 2017

Robert belcher antiques was established in 1984 and is a high quality retailer of interesting, rare antiques and decorative items.

Dealer Profile

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

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A dark carved oak strong box featuring metal binding straps, side drop handles, and relief carvings of figures and foliage.
1 / 14
Archive I A dark carved oak strong box featuring metal binding straps, side drop handles, and relief carvings of figures and foliage.

A Ships Carved Oak and Steel Bound Strong Box Circa 1840

Archive II A dark carved oak strong box featuring metal binding straps, side drop handles, and relief carvings of figures and foliage. View II
Archive III A dark carved oak strong box featuring metal binding straps, side drop handles, and relief carvings of figures and foliage. View III
Archive IV A dark carved oak strong box featuring metal binding straps, side drop handles, and relief carvings of figures and foliage. View IV
Archive V A dark carved oak strong box featuring metal binding straps, side drop handles, and relief carvings of figures and foliage. View V
Archive VI A dark carved oak strong box featuring metal binding straps, side drop handles, and relief carvings of figures and foliage. View VI
Archive VII A dark carved oak strong box featuring metal binding straps, side drop handles, and relief carvings of figures and foliage. View VII
Archive VIII A dark carved oak strong box featuring metal binding straps, side drop handles, and relief carvings of figures and foliage. View VIII
Archive IX A dark carved oak strong box featuring metal binding straps, side drop handles, and relief carvings of figures and foliage. View IX
Archive X A dark carved oak strong box featuring metal binding straps, side drop handles, and relief carvings of figures and foliage. View X
Archive XI A dark carved oak strong box featuring metal binding straps, side drop handles, and relief carvings of figures and foliage. View XI
Archive XII A dark carved oak strong box featuring metal binding straps, side drop handles, and relief carvings of figures and foliage. View XII
Archive XIII A dark carved oak strong box featuring metal binding straps, side drop handles, and relief carvings of figures and foliage. View XIII
Archive XIV A dark carved oak strong box featuring metal binding straps, side drop handles, and relief carvings of figures and foliage. View XIV
Enlarged Archival View
Location
Worcestershire
United Kingdom

By appointment only.
Verified Since Jul 2017
Items For Sale 406
Items Sold 667
Robert Belcher Antiques
Robert Belcher Antiques
Verified Since Jul 2017
View Dealer Info
Location: Worcestershire, United Kingdom, , By appointment only.
Verified
Jul 2017
For Sale
406
Sold
667
A dark carved oak strong box featuring metal binding straps, side drop handles, and relief carvings of figures and foliage.
A ships carved oak and steel bound strong box circa 1840
Ref: SA1218898
A dark carved oak strong box featuring metal binding straps, side drop handles, and relief carvings of figures and foliage.
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Archival Detail
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 ships strong box is a reinforced container used aboard maritime vessels during the 18th and 19th centuries to securely store currency, ship logs, and valuable items. These containers were constructed with thick timber walls and bound with heavy metal straps to withstand harsh conditions at sea and resist forced entry.

These boxes were primarily built using dense hardwoods such as oak or mahogany, chosen for their structural strength. They were further reinforced with wrought iron or steel straps, heavy hinges, drop handles, and specialized locking mechanisms.

Authentic pieces display hand-carved decoration, historical surface wear, and age-appropriate oxidisation on the metalwork. Look for hand-cut joinery, original iron or steel fittings, and a patina on the wood finish that reflects genuine age rather than uniform artificial distressing.

A carved strong box functions well as a decorative focal point on a console table, sideboard, or study desk. Combining the dark carved timber with modern minimalist elements or leather accents creates a textured contrast within contemporary schemes.

Dust the wood regularly using a soft dry cloth, and apply a neutral beeswax polish annually to preserve the timber. Metal straps should be kept free from moisture to prevent active corrosion, and chemical polish should be avoided to retain the natural aged patina.
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