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sellingantiques.co.uk
ID #SA1228175
FOR SALE
£750
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Monumentally Large Teak and Iron Bound Dowry Chest C. 1850
Webberley Antiques
for sale €878     $953
£750
Webberley Antiques

Webberley Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Nov 2008
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Monumentally Large Teak and Iron Bound Dowry Chest C. 1850

19th century
Description

A most unusual and very large silver or dowry chest made entirely from solid and thickly hewn teak with large exposed dovetails and with iron bound corners, iron bindings, original double heart shaped hasp and keep and large carrying handles to each side – all with original rivets. The interior with original candle box and later chain restrictor, the original hand forged iron hinges have been replaced with substantial brass hinges.

It is most unusual to find a solid teak box of this size. The timbers are almost an inch thick throughout and are hand cut with marks to the inner faces from the hand held adze. This would have been made bespoke to keep safe a great treasure as the amount of additional bindings and the detailed way in which the boards have been joined and sealed would have made it a very difficult box to break into, and its great weight requires two very strong people to lift it even when empty.

It has been set on wheels in the late 19th century, no doubt because its weight made it hard to move for cleaning. These can be removed so that it will sit on its original stile feet behind the deep well shaped apron to all sides.

Teak is a wonderful wood, full of golden threads and the chest has developed a lovely rich colour and a deep natural sheen which lights up and glows when placed under a lamp.

A very rare and very large box, probably traded by the East India Company.

Dimensions are:

41.5 inches wide, 26.5 inches deep and 32 inches high.

For metric please multiply by 2.5

Declaration

Webberley Antiques has dated this Antique Teak Dowry Chest to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1228175
Dealers Notes

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Description
A most unusual and very large silver or dowry chest made entirely from solid and thickly hewn teak with large exposed dovetails and with iron bound corners, iron bindings, original double heart shaped hasp and keep and large carrying handles to each side – all with original rivets.
“
The interior with original candle box and later chain restrictor, the original hand forged iron hinges have been replaced with substantial brass hinges.
Webberley Antiques
fig 1. A large brown teak wood chest reinforced with dark iron straps, corner brackets, side handles, and front latches.
fig 1. Monumentally Large Teak and Iron Bound Dowry Chest C. 1850

It is most unusual to find a solid teak box of this size. The timbers are almost an inch thick throughout and are hand cut with marks to the inner faces from the hand held adze. This would have been made bespoke to keep safe a great treasure as the amount of additional bindings and the detailed way in which the boards have been joined and sealed would have made it a very difficult box to break into, and its great weight requires two very strong people to lift it even when empty.

fig 2. A large brown teak wood chest reinforced with dark iron straps, corner brackets, side handles, and front latches.
fig 2. Monumentally Large Teak and Iron Bound Dowry Chest C. 1850

It has been set on wheels in the late 19th century, no doubt because its weight made it hard to move for cleaning. These can be removed so that it will sit on its original stile feet behind the deep well shaped apron to all sides.

fig 3. A large brown teak wood chest reinforced with dark iron straps, corner brackets, side handles, and front latches.
fig 3. Monumentally Large Teak and Iron Bound Dowry Chest C. 1850

Teak is a wonderful wood, full of golden threads and the chest has developed a lovely rich colour and a deep natural sheen which lights up and glows when placed under a lamp.

A very rare and very large box, probably traded by the East India Company.

Dimensions are:

41.5 inches wide, 26.5 inches deep and 32 inches high.

For metric please multiply by 2.5

Date of Manufacture

Webberley Antiques has dated this Antique Teak Dowry Chest to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1228175
Webberley Antiques
Webberley Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Nov 2008

Specialists in 18th century and earlier furniture for more than 45 years

Dealer Profile

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

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A large brown teak wood chest reinforced with dark iron straps, corner brackets, side handles, and front latches.
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Archive I A large brown teak wood chest reinforced with dark iron straps, corner brackets, side handles, and front latches.

Monumentally Large Teak and Iron Bound Dowry Chest c. 1850

Archive II A large brown teak wood chest reinforced with dark iron straps, corner brackets, side handles, and front latches. View II
Archive III A large brown teak wood chest reinforced with dark iron straps, corner brackets, side handles, and front latches. View III
Archive IV A large brown teak wood chest reinforced with dark iron straps, corner brackets, side handles, and front latches. View IV
Archive V A large brown teak wood chest reinforced with dark iron straps, corner brackets, side handles, and front latches. View V
Archive VI A large brown teak wood chest reinforced with dark iron straps, corner brackets, side handles, and front latches. View VI
Archive VII A large brown teak wood chest reinforced with dark iron straps, corner brackets, side handles, and front latches. View VII
Archive VIII A large brown teak wood chest reinforced with dark iron straps, corner brackets, side handles, and front latches. View VIII
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Webberley Antiques

Webberley Antiques
Telephone 07765 233266
Location
East Sussex
United Kingdom

By appointment only.
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/webberley
Verified Since Nov 2008
Items For Sale 75
Items Sold 415
Webberley Antiques
Webberley Antiques
Verified Since Nov 2008
View Dealer Info
Location: East Sussex, United Kingdom, , By appointment only.
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/webberley
Verified
Nov 2008
For Sale
75
Sold
415
A large brown teak wood chest reinforced with dark iron straps, corner brackets, side handles, and front latches.
Monumentally Large Teak and Iron Bound Dowry Chest c. 1850
Ref: SA1228175
A large brown teak wood chest reinforced with dark iron straps, corner brackets, side handles, and front latches.
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FAQs

A dowry chest, historically known as a hope chest or coffer, was constructed to store household linens, textiles, and valuable goods brought by a bride into her marriage. These durable timber containers served both practical storage purposes and as markers of family status across various cultures during the 18th and 19th centuries.

Craftsmen typically utilised dense hardwoods such as teak, oak, or camphorwood for the primary structure, joined with dovetail or mortise-and-tenon carpentry. Hand-forged iron straps, corner brackets, and heavy iron latches were applied to reinforce the timber joints and secure the contents during transit.

Authentic period chests exhibit signs of hand-planed timber, natural irregularities in the hand-forged iron hardware, and honest surface wear around handles and hinges. Look for historic joinery techniques, natural oxidisation on the metalwork, and hand-cut iron fittings rather than uniform modern machine screws.

A substantial timber chest can serve as a focal coffee table in a living space or as an anchor piece placed at the foot of a bed. Its deep wood tones and textured ironwork provide strong visual contrast when set against clean-lined contemporary decor or neutral plaster walls.

Dust the timber regularly with a soft, dry cloth and apply a natural beeswax polish occasionally to nourish the wood without altering its original patina. Keep iron straps dry and apply a light coat of microcrystalline wax to prevent rust formation while avoiding liquid solvents.
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