What is a 17th-century French coffer?

A 17th-century French coffer is a wooden storage chest crafted during the early modern period, primarily designed to store household linens, clothing, and valuable goods. These chests feature simple rectilinear forms, hinged lids, and sturdy frame-and-panel joinery characteristic of French provincial carpentry.

What materials and construction techniques were used in period oak coffers?

Period coffers were predominantly constructed from solid oak using mortise and tenon joints secured with wooden pegs or dowels. The timber was split or hand-sawn, and the structure typically integrated recessed wooden panels fitted into grooved stiles and rails.

How can you identify an authentic 17th-century oak coffer?

Authentic 17th-century coffers exhibit irregular hand-planed surfaces, hand-carved wooden pegs, and original iron strap hinges or ring-hinges. Evidence of long-term wear, oxidation around metal fittings, and uneven timber shrinkage over time also help confirm age.

How can an antique coffer be incorporated into modern interior design?

An antique coffer functions effectively as a focal piece in an entryway, a storage bench at the foot of a bed, or an accent coffee table in a living space. Its deep wood tones contrast well with neutral textiles and minimalist contemporary architectural features.

How should an antique oak coffer be cleaned and maintained?

Oak coffers should be dusted regularly with a soft, dry cloth and treated occasionally with a clear beeswax polish to protect the finish. To prevent timber movement or cracking, keep the piece away from direct heat sources and maintain stable ambient humidity.

for sale €813 $883

£695

Brookside Antiques

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Antique French Coffer

Id #SA783722

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17th Century French Oak Coffer

Name: 17th Century French Oak Coffer
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA783722
Price: 695 GBP
Availability: InStock

17th century

For Sale by Brookside Antiques

Description

Here we have for sale today this rare wonderful French provincial coffer.

Dating mid 1600,s and all made in solid oak of large proportions.

All made in this joint and peg construction, and standing on these tall post legs, with paneled front and sides, a solid hinged lid enclosing a single large compartment.

Having its original polish plus patina, its a rich oak colour (please see pictures)

This coffer is solid in all its joints, with NO woodworm.

If paying using PayPal please note Shipping/Delivery will be extra.

During this COVID-19 situation we are happy to store purchased items large and small (at NO storage charge) until you are in a position to receive them, however we will continue to deliver to UK addresses, until and if the authorities forbid this movement.

Contact details

Gerard James (available 24 hrs) don’t hesitate to contact, please ring or text, 07851385634 also available on land line in the evenings & weekends contact 01270 253730

Condition details

Unless otherwise stated all item are in excellent condition and ready to use, with all upholstered items been recently upholstered, we can also offer a re-upholstery service, in customers own fabric, or from our wide range of Linwood & Jim Dickens fabrics (samples available)

Viewing details

Available to view at SY13 4HY contact 07851385634 (Gerard) customers are welcome to come and view items of furniture at our premises at Norbury (Shropshire) please note by appointment only, this is due to the items been stored, and we would need to unpack it for display.

Delivery & Collection details

Collection FREE, delivery available England and Wales, London area £45 with the large items and chair sets we usually deliver to central England & Wales for the asking price, for further afield please contact for costing’s, we deliver large items ourselves, with all items packed and wrapped to insure no damage, with years of experience, smaller items will be sent by carrier please contact for costing.

Payment details

Payment methods can be by Bank to Bank transfer, cash, cheque, credit or debit card. All moneys must be cleared before items are delivered or collected. We offer a UK, 7 day full money refund if items are not as described or do not suit your requirements (excluding logistics)

Shipping details

We have sold furniture to international customers, and have had their shippers collect from our workshop. We have also had items shipped abroad door to door all insurance covered, contact for quotes. .

Physical Dimensions

Height

83cm (32.68")

Width

130cm (51.18")

Depth

67cm (26.38")

Declaration

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

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA783722

Dealers Internal Reference

004006

Dealers Notes

Contact Evenings & Weekends 01270 663204

Brookside Antiques

Dear customers all items of furniture can be viewed at our premises at Norbury in Shropshire SY13 4HY by appointment only, this is due to items being packed away in storage. ( and we would need to unpack them for display, please note this is not a problem, as we welcome viewers/customers)

We are a furniture restoration workshop, busy from day to day doing restoration work for the trade and general public alike.

All items for sale have been restored if restoration is required, unless otherwise stated. Upholstered items will have been re-upholstered, however if the fabric choice is not to taste, we offer a re-upholstery service in customers own fabric, or from our wide range of Linwood and Jim Dickens Fabric ( samples available )

Regards Gerard James

Description

Here we have for sale today this rare wonderful French provincial coffer.

Dating mid 1600,s and all made in solid oak of large proportions.

“

All made in this joint and peg construction, and standing on these tall post legs, with paneled front and sides, a solid hinged lid enclosing a single large compartment.

Brookside Antiques

fig 1. A dark oak seventeenth-century coffer featuring two plain rectangular front panels and a flat hinged top. — fig 1. 17th Century French Oak Coffer

Having its original polish plus patina, its a rich oak colour (please see pictures)

This coffer is solid in all its joints, with NO woodworm.

If paying using PayPal please note Shipping/Delivery will be extra.

fig 2. A dark oak seventeenth-century coffer featuring two plain rectangular front panels and a flat hinged top. — fig 2. 17th Century French Oak Coffer

During this COVID-19 situation we are happy to store purchased items large and small (at NO storage charge) until you are in a position to receive them, however we will continue to deliver to UK addresses, until and if the authorities forbid this movement.

fig 3. A dark oak seventeenth-century coffer featuring two plain rectangular front panels and a flat hinged top. — fig 3. 17th Century French Oak Coffer

Contact details

Gerard James (available 24 hrs) don’t hesitate to contact, please ring or text, 07851385634 also available on land line in the evenings & weekends contact 01270 253730

Condition details

Unless otherwise stated all item are in excellent condition and ready to use, with all upholstered items been recently upholstered, we can also offer a re-upholstery service, in customers own fabric, or from our wide range of Linwood & Jim Dickens fabrics (samples available)

fig 4. A dark oak seventeenth-century coffer featuring two plain rectangular front panels and a flat hinged top. — fig 4. 17th Century French Oak Coffer

Viewing details

Available to view at SY13 4HY contact 07851385634 (Gerard) customers are welcome to come and view items of furniture at our premises at Norbury (Shropshire) please note by appointment only, this is due to the items been stored, and we would need to unpack it for display.

fig 5. A dark oak seventeenth-century coffer featuring two plain rectangular front panels and a flat hinged top. — fig 5. 17th Century French Oak Coffer

Delivery & Collection details

Collection FREE, delivery available England and Wales, London area £45 with the large items and chair sets we usually deliver to central England & Wales for the asking price, for further afield please contact for costing’s, we deliver large items ourselves, with all items packed and wrapped to insure no damage, with years of experience, smaller items will be sent by carrier please contact for costing.

fig 6. A dark oak seventeenth-century coffer featuring two plain rectangular front panels and a flat hinged top. — fig 6. 17th Century French Oak Coffer

Payment details

Payment methods can be by Bank to Bank transfer, cash, cheque, credit or debit card. All moneys must be cleared before items are delivered or collected. We offer a UK, 7 day full money refund if items are not as described or do not suit your requirements (excluding logistics)

fig 7. A dark oak seventeenth-century coffer featuring two plain rectangular front panels and a flat hinged top. — fig 7. 17th Century French Oak Coffer

Shipping details

We have sold furniture to international customers, and have had their shippers collect from our workshop. We have also had items shipped abroad door to door all insurance covered, contact for quotes. .