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ID #SA956635
FOR SALE
£1,895
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Mid 19th Century Traditional Swedish Painted Coffer
For sale by Debenham Antiques Ltd
for sale €2,217     $2,407
£1,895
Debenham Antiques Ltd

Debenham Antiques Ltd

Sellingantiques Verified Since May 2012
Browse dealers 585 items
  • About Us
    We are a leading antique furniture dealer in the UK with over 60 years of experience.
  • Trade Associations
    Debenham Antiques Ltd is a registered member of LAPADA 
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Id #SA956635
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Mid 19th Century Traditional Swedish Painted Coffer

19th century
Description

Mid 19th century traditional swedish painted coffer circa 1855.

Fine quality piece of rustic furniture, with a desirable flat top surface which lends itself to more uses than it's dome topped counterparts.

Sarcophagus shaped main body strengthened and enhanced by ornate black strap work. 

Orange/brown paint scheme with blue panels to the front and top surface. Hand painted initials and date displaying the year 1855 with a decorative wreath surrounding.  usually these pieces were created upon the union of a marriage.  further hand painted florals to the lid.  once open the interior provides ample storage and a fitted candle box.  all raised on sledge feet.

Working lock and key, although the lock is one that you have to learn how to open, this could be isolated upon request.  shrinkage between panels on the lid, but structurally strong.  minor evidence of dead/inactive worm which has been treated.  expected fading to paintwork.

Physical Dimensions
Height
62cm (24.41")
Width
140.3cm (55.24")
Depth
66.8cm (26.30")
Declaration

Debenham Antiques Ltd has dated this Antique Swedish Painted Coffer to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA956635
Dealers Internal Reference
EA3146
Dealers Notes

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Description
Mid 19th century traditional swedish painted coffer circa 1855.
“
Fine quality piece of rustic furniture, with a desirable flat top surface which lends itself to more uses than it's dome topped counterparts.
Debenham Antiques Ltd
fig 1. A mid-19th-century Swedish painted wooden coffer featuring blue centre panels decorated with a floral wreath and the date 1855, framed by terracotta borders and black wrought iron straps.
fig 1. Mid 19th Century Traditional Swedish Painted Coffer

Sarcophagus shaped main body strengthened and enhanced by ornate black strap work. 

Orange/brown paint scheme with blue panels to the front and top surface. Hand painted initials and date displaying the year 1855 with a decorative wreath surrounding.  usually these pieces were created upon the union of a marriage.  further hand painted florals to the lid.  once open the interior provides ample storage and a fitted candle box.  all raised on sledge feet.

fig 2. A mid-19th-century Swedish painted wooden coffer featuring blue centre panels decorated with a floral wreath and the date 1855, framed by terracotta borders and black wrought iron straps.
fig 2. Mid 19th Century Traditional Swedish Painted Coffer

Working lock and key, although the lock is one that you have to learn how to open, this could be isolated upon request.  shrinkage between panels on the lid, but structurally strong.  minor evidence of dead/inactive worm which has been treated.  expected fading to paintwork.

Height
62cm (24.41")
Width
140.3cm (55.24")
Depth
66.8cm (26.30")
Date of Manufacture

Debenham Antiques Ltd has dated this Antique Swedish Painted Coffer to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA956635
Dealers Internal Ref
EA3146
Debenham Antiques Ltd
Debenham Antiques Ltd
Sellingantiques verified Since May 2012

We are a leading antique furniture dealer in the UK with over 60 years of experience.

Dealer Profile

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

Trade Associations

Debenham Antiques Ltd is a registered member of LAPADA 

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A mid-19th-century Swedish painted wooden coffer featuring blue centre panels decorated with a floral wreath and the date 1855, framed by terracotta borders and black wrought iron straps.
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Archive I A mid-19th-century Swedish painted wooden coffer featuring blue centre panels decorated with a floral wreath and the date 1855, framed by terracotta borders and black wrought iron straps.

Mid 19th Century Traditional Swedish Painted Coffer

Archive II A mid-19th-century Swedish painted wooden coffer featuring blue centre panels decorated with a floral wreath and the date 1855, framed by terracotta borders and black wrought iron straps. View II
Archive III A mid-19th-century Swedish painted wooden coffer featuring blue centre panels decorated with a floral wreath and the date 1855, framed by terracotta borders and black wrought iron straps. View III
Archive IV A mid-19th-century Swedish painted wooden coffer featuring blue centre panels decorated with a floral wreath and the date 1855, framed by terracotta borders and black wrought iron straps. View IV
Archive V A mid-19th-century Swedish painted wooden coffer featuring blue centre panels decorated with a floral wreath and the date 1855, framed by terracotta borders and black wrought iron straps. View V
Archive VI A mid-19th-century Swedish painted wooden coffer featuring blue centre panels decorated with a floral wreath and the date 1855, framed by terracotta borders and black wrought iron straps. View VI
Archive VII A mid-19th-century Swedish painted wooden coffer featuring blue centre panels decorated with a floral wreath and the date 1855, framed by terracotta borders and black wrought iron straps. View VII
Archive VIII A mid-19th-century Swedish painted wooden coffer featuring blue centre panels decorated with a floral wreath and the date 1855, framed by terracotta borders and black wrought iron straps. View VIII
Archive IX A mid-19th-century Swedish painted wooden coffer featuring blue centre panels decorated with a floral wreath and the date 1855, framed by terracotta borders and black wrought iron straps. View IX
Archive X A mid-19th-century Swedish painted wooden coffer featuring blue centre panels decorated with a floral wreath and the date 1855, framed by terracotta borders and black wrought iron straps. View X
Enlarged Archival View
Debenham Antiques Ltd

Debenham Antiques Ltd
Telephone 07715 006 415
Location
73 High Street
Debenham
Suffolk
IP14 6QS
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/debenhamantiquesltd
Verified Since May 2012
Items For Sale 585
Items Sold 78
Debenham Antiques Ltd
Debenham Antiques Ltd
Verified Since May 2012
View Dealer Info
Location: 73 High Street, Debenham, Suffolk, IP14 6QS, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/debenhamantiquesltd
Verified
May 2012
For Sale
585
Sold
78
A mid-19th-century Swedish painted wooden coffer featuring blue centre panels decorated with a floral wreath and the date 1855, framed by terracotta borders and black wrought iron straps.
MID 19TH CENTURY TRADITIONAL SWEDISH PAINTED COFFER
Ref: SA956635
A mid-19th-century Swedish painted wooden coffer featuring blue centre panels decorated with a floral wreath and the date 1855, framed by terracotta borders and black wrought iron straps.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Detail View 3
Detail View 4
Detail View 5
Detail View 6
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Detail View 8
Detail View 9
Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectCoffers & Chests
  • Period19th century
  • StyleScandinavian Folk Art
  • MaterialPine, Wrought Iron, Paint
  • ColourBlue and Terracotta
  • MotifsFloral wreath paintwork, Inscribed date and monogram, Wrought iron strap hinges, Polychrome paneling
  • SizeH 62 cm (24 in) x W 140.3 cm (55 in) x D 66.8 cm (26 in)

This mid-19th-century traditional Swedish painted coffer represents Scandinavian folk art, constructed from pine with a painted finish in blue and terracotta, complemented by black wrought iron hardware. The exterior displays a sarcophagus-shaped main body with a flat top surface, ornamented by black strap hinges on the sides and a central keyhole escutcheon. Hand-painted motifs comprise a floral wreath, the date 1855, and initials on the front blue panel, along with further hand-painted florals on the lid. Structural characteristics include shrinkage between panels on the lid, expected fading to the paintwork, and minor evidence of treated inactive worm, while the piece is raised on sledge feet. Measuring 62 cm high, 140.3 cm wide, and 66.8 cm deep, the interior provides ample storage and a fitted candle box accessed via a working lock and key. Positioned in a rustic farmhouse interior, this chest serves as both a decorative focal point and a practical storage solution for blankets, linens, or keepsakes in a living room, hallway, or bedroom. The flat top surface lends itself to displaying decorative objects, lamps, or books while keeping everyday clutter neatly concealed inside. Its robust pine construction and heritage design suit traditional or eclectic home schemes seeking authentic period character and functional utility.

FAQs

Traditional Swedish painted coffers, often created as marriage chests or dower boxes in rural communities during the 18th and 19th centuries, served as storage for textiles and valuables. These chests frequently featured folk art motifs, monograms, and dates representing significant family milestones.

These coffers were typically constructed from local softwoods, such as pine or spruce, joined with hand-dovetailed or pegged joints. They were reinforced with hand-forged wrought iron hinges, straps, and corner brackets, then finished with mineral-based paints.

Authentic pieces show natural wear patterns, historic paint layering, and signs of hand-forged ironwork with hand-cut nails. Look for original inscriptions, such as initials and dates painted directly onto the wood, alongside age-appropriate shrinkage and oxidisation on the pine panels.

A painted coffer can be positioned at the foot of a bed, utilised as a coffee table in a living room, or placed in an entryway for functional storage. The historic painted finish provides visual texture alongside contemporary upholstery and minimalist architectural elements.

Maintain the chest by dusting gently with a soft, dry microfibre cloth, avoiding water and solvent cleaners that may damage original paint layers. Keep the item in an environment with stable humidity levels to prevent wood movement and preserve paint adhesion.
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