Rare and exceptional, with all original foliate marquetry and original hardware and with no later timbers, this beautiful large marriage chest has been in the same family for generations and has always been lovingly cared for..The coffer has a number of finer quality details including the well shaped and channel carved stiles and muntins which separate the panels on the front and sides and match the stiles and muntins on the lid..The marquetry is made of ebony, holly, applewood and walnut – the inlay process is extremely time consuming and an expensive detail to have added to any furniture of this mid 17th Century period. Everything had to be carved with hand held tools and it took many years of experience, knowledge and skill to carefully cut the pattern into the fronts of each fielded panel and then cut each tiny piece of exotic timber and shape it to fit the pattern before being inlaid. The inlays were held in a candle flame to smoke the edges and add a 3D depth to t...