What is a seventeenth-century oak coffer?

A seventeenth-century oak coffer is a wooden storage chest constructed using frame-and-panel joinery, widely used in early modern homes to store linens, clothing, and household goods.

What materials and techniques were used to build traditional coffers?

Traditional coffers were crafted primarily from solid oak, assembled using mortise and tenon joints secured with wooden pegs, and often fitted with iron or brass lock mechanisms.

How do you identify an authentic seventeenth-century coffer?

Authentic pieces typically exhibit hand-planed timber marks, irregular peg placement, natural timber shrinkage around joints, and genuine dark oxidation in crevices.

How can a historic oak coffer be styled in modern interiors?

A historic coffer can be positioned in an entryway as a bench, placed at the foot of a bed for linen storage, or utilised as a low central surface in a living space.

How should antique oak furniture be maintained and preserved?

Dust regularly with a dry cloth, apply a high-quality beeswax polish annually, and position the item away from direct heat sources to prevent timber cracking.

for sale €1,147 $1,245

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17th Century Welsh Oak Coffer with Superb Patina and Provenance C. 1680

Name: 17th Century Welsh Oak Coffer with Superb Patina and Provenance C. 1680
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1227193
Price: 980 GBP
Availability: InStock

17th century

For Sale by Webberley Antiques

Description

A superb large Welsh oak coffer of beautifully linear form with peg and tenon joints (all pegs original) and original fielded panels throughout. The front panels hand carved to give a raised central cartouche.

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With an exceptionally good natural colour and very rich natural patina.

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The coffer has provenance by way of a signed letter from Violet V. David of Fairwater House, Cardiff, dated Easter Monday 1930, which states

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“This coffer came from Mary Phillips of Brynteg Cottage, Ystrad Mynach in April 1930*. It had been at Brynteg 30 years and previous to that in the possession of the old family of Meyrick at Castell Llwyd for several hundred years. Ben Phillips married one of the daughters and they were given this chest as a wedding present.”

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Violet was the wife of Major Evan John Carne David who served as High Sheriff of Glamorgan in 1930 and who had inherited Fairwater House.

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The house was designed by David Vaughan and built in 1844 for Major David’s great grandfather Evan David – a significant landowner in Wales.

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At some point after the second world war ended in 1945, the Major and Violet moved out and the house became a local hostel for elderly men, closing in the 1980s. It was later demolished to make way for a large housing development.

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The reference to “Ben Phillips” appears to be the marriage between Benjamin Meyrick and Elizabeth Phillips in around 1840 and the coffer came to Mary Phillips in 1900. Mary may not have known that it was her ancestor Elizabeth who was the “Phillips” and not Benjamin.

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The chest is in excellent condition with no new timbers other than a half width removable shelf to the interior which was added professionally many moons ago.

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The planks of the lid have been hinged – no doubt because the weight of the lid and height of the coffer required above average height and strength to lift it! Now the lid is simple to lift and fold back and the coffer offers a huge amount of easy to use storage.

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Colour and patina such as this takes centuries to develop and this chest dates from the late 17th Century and has clearly always been much loved, cared for and carries its long and fascinating history with it. The original letter from Violet David will be provided to the purchaser.

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Very sturdy, robust and usable.

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A fantastic Welsh oak coffer of exceptional colour and patination.

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Dimensions are:

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36 inches high, 53.5 inches wide and 24 inches deep.

Declaration

Webberley Antiques has dated this 17th Century Oak Coffer to the 17th Century.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1227193

Dealers Notes

I describe and photograph my pieces accurately and with the aim that on arrival each will exceed your expectations.

I operate a full refund guarantee and am always happy to give free, honest and friendly advice.

Description

fig 1. A seventeenth-century dark oak coffer featuring six rectangular raised panels on the front facade and a central brass keyhole escutcheon. — fig 1. 17th Century Welsh Oak Coffer with Superb Patina and Provenance C. 1680

With an exceptionally good natural colour and very rich natural patina.

The coffer has provenance by way of a signed letter from Violet V. David of Fairwater House, Cardiff, dated Easter Monday 1930, which states

“This coffer came from Mary Phillips of Brynteg Cottage, Ystrad Mynach in April 1930*.

“

It had been at Brynteg 30 years and previous to that in the possession of the old family of Meyrick at Castell Llwyd for several hundred years.

Webberley Antiques

Ben Phillips married one of the daughters and they were given this chest as a wedding present.”

fig 2. A seventeenth-century dark oak coffer featuring six rectangular raised panels on the front facade and a central brass keyhole escutcheon. — fig 2. 17th Century Welsh Oak Coffer with Superb Patina and Provenance C. 1680

Violet was the wife of Major Evan John Carne David who served as High Sheriff of Glamorgan in 1930 and who had inherited Fairwater House.

The house was designed by David Vaughan and built in 1844 for Major David’s great grandfather Evan David – a significant landowner in Wales.

fig 3. A seventeenth-century dark oak coffer featuring six rectangular raised panels on the front facade and a central brass keyhole escutcheon. — fig 3. 17th Century Welsh Oak Coffer with Superb Patina and Provenance C. 1680

At some point after the second world war ended in 1945, the Major and Violet moved out and the house became a local hostel for elderly men, closing in the 1980s. It was later demolished to make way for a large housing development.

fig 4. A seventeenth-century dark oak coffer featuring six rectangular raised panels on the front facade and a central brass keyhole escutcheon. — fig 4. 17th Century Welsh Oak Coffer with Superb Patina and Provenance C. 1680

The reference to “Ben Phillips” appears to be the marriage between Benjamin Meyrick and Elizabeth Phillips in around 1840 and the coffer came to Mary Phillips in 1900. Mary may not have known that it was her ancestor Elizabeth who was the “Phillips” and not Benjamin.

fig 5. A seventeenth-century dark oak coffer featuring six rectangular raised panels on the front facade and a central brass keyhole escutcheon. — fig 5. 17th Century Welsh Oak Coffer with Superb Patina and Provenance C. 1680

The chest is in excellent condition with no new timbers other than a half width removable shelf to the interior which was added professionally many moons ago.

The planks of the lid have been hinged – no doubt because the weight of the lid and height of the coffer required above average height and strength to lift it! Now the lid is simple to lift and fold back and the coffer offers a huge amount of easy to use storage.

fig 6. A seventeenth-century dark oak coffer featuring six rectangular raised panels on the front facade and a central brass keyhole escutcheon. — fig 6. 17th Century Welsh Oak Coffer with Superb Patina and Provenance C. 1680

Colour and patina such as this takes centuries to develop and this chest dates from the late 17th Century and has clearly always been much loved, cared for and carries its long and fascinating history with it. The original letter from Violet David will be provided to the purchaser.

Very sturdy, robust and usable.

A fantastic Welsh oak coffer of exceptional colour and patination.

Dimensions are:

36 inches high, 53.5 inches wide and 24 inches deep.

Date of Manufacture

Webberley Antiques has dated this 17th Century Oak Coffer to the 17th Century.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Ref

SA1227193

About the Dealer

Webberley Antiques

Sellingantiques verified Since Nov 2008