Object Description
Here is a fine quality antique English George II oak mule chest, with geometric moulding, displaying a stunning colour, circa 1730, in excellent condition.
Summary:
• Item: Mule Chest
• Provenance England, UK
• Circa: 1730
• Period: George II
• Wood: Solid oak
• Rare single-plank moulded top
• Geometric moulded panels
• Single working moulded drawer
• Original candle box & lid
• Traditional Peg construction
• Original iron loop hinges
• Old replacement brass-drop handles
• Original Working locks to lid and drawer (with keys)
• Ebonised ‘A’ & ‘C’ initials under lid
• Original top, sides, drawer linings, back & bottom
• Stunning colour and patination
• Ideal for storing bedding & clothes etc.
• Free delivery to mainland England, Wales & southern Scotland*
• Free 14-day returns policy
Description:
Here is a fine quality antique English George II oak mule chest, with geometric moulding, displaying a stunning colour, circa 1730, in excellent condition. This mule chest boasts a rare single-plank moulded hinged top, with three moulded panels to the front, as well as the original initials ‘A’ & ‘C’ painted either side of the lid lock. This was most likely the initials of the original owner of the mule chest. To the bottom, the chest comprises a single working moulded drawer, which is decorated with old replacement brass drop handles on circular backplates. The drawer retains the original working steel lever lock, with working key and original brass escutcheon. The chest lid retains the original iron loop hinges and opens to reveal a clean and dry interior, including the original candle box with lid. The mule chest also boasts a working lock (with working key) to the main storage area. The sides of the chest are adorned with single wide moulded panels; the back retains the original rough-hewn oak backboards. The drawer linings and bottoms are constructed of solid oak, as are the wide floorboards in the base of the chest are all original. The chest has been made using the pegged construction method; this is evident around the body of the frame. The chest is raised on a moulded plinth, terminating on its original length block stiles (feet).
This type of furniture would have primarily been used for storing bedding and clothes. In the eighteenth century, built-in wardrobes did not exist! A mule chest was often the only item of furniture that a family owned. It is believed that such chests were called “mule chests” because slippers, called mules in the 17th and 18th century, were kept in the drawers of the chest. Blankets and bedding were stored in the larger compartment above.
This blanket box with drawers boasts a rich warm oak colour having been wax-polished in our workshop. As it retains the original polish, it has a fantastic colour and patination; this can only be achieved through age and years of care and cleaning it has received.
This item would look great in a variety of rooms from the hallway, to the living room or bedroom, not only as an ornamental piece but also a useful storage chest.
Dimensions:
Height = 78.1cm or 30¾” or 2ft 6¾”
Width (Lid) = 125.6cm or 49½” or 4ft 1½”
Depth (Lid) = 55.5cm or 21⅞” or 1ft 9⅞”
Free UK Delivery*:
We offer free delivery to mainland England, Wales, and Southern Scotland (anywhere south of Stirling). *We do not offer free delivery to locations north of Stirling in Scotland, Northern Ireland, or any British Islands off the mainland; for example, the Isle of Man, Isle of White and Channel Islands. If you live in one of the areas where we do not offer free delivery, please contact us for a delivery quote before purchasing the item. Delivery will be made by our specialised antique furniture delivery service, or in some cases we will use a courier service for distant deliveries.
Delivery times are usually 1-4 weeks depending on location; we aim to deliver the majority of items within 2 weeks. All items are professionally packaged and fully insured in transit, therefore, we can assure you, your items will be securely protected in transit and arrive safely with you.
Once you have purchased an item, we will contact you by email and/or telephone and provide you with a provisional delivery date, in order for you to confirm if it is suitable for you. Once you have confirmed you can accept delivery on the provisional delivery date, we will book the delivery in with our shippers and it then becomes a confirmed delivery date.
We will also provide you with our shippers’ contact details, in case you need to contact the driver on the day of delivery. It’s helpful if you can provide us with both the landline and mobile telephone number, in case the driver cannot reach you on one of the numbers on the day of delivery, they can contact you on your alternative number.
In order to be able to offer you free delivery, it is based on a 1-man delivery only. For any large items that require 2 people to lift the item, we ask that you are available at the time of delivery to be able to give our shipper a lift off the van and into your house with the item. If you are not able to lift items yourself, we ask that you have someone on hand at the time of delivery to assist our shipper with lifting the item.
Free 14 Days UK Returns & Refunds:
A free 14-day “no quibble” returns policy (from the date you receive the item) is available if you are not happy with this item. We will collect the item free of charge from you (we do not charge a return fee / collection fee). You will be given a full refund as long as the item is returned in the same condition. We will collect returns using our own specialist furniture delivery company. We will not accept returns via a courier service (due to experience of damaged items in transit). This refund policy only applies to deliveries to the UK.
UK Buyer Payment:
For UK buyers, we accept cash on collection or delivery; cheque, credit card, BACS (free bank to bank transfer) or PayPal. Payment is requested within 5 days of the sale. Payment must be cleared before the items are collected or delivered.
International Buyers:
If you live outside the UK and you would like to purchase this item, please contact us before purchasing it, so that we can obtain an accurate shipping quote and delivery lead-time. The shipping quote provided is a global estimate only. The actual shipping cost will vary by country and postcode. Due to the distances and costs involved with shipping outside the UK, a returns policy is therefore not available for international buyers. Before placing your order(s) please make sure this is the item for you. We request payment by bank transfer (we do not accept payment via PayPal, credit or debit cards for international purchases). Payment is requested within 10 days of the purchase. Payment must be cleared before the items are collected or delivered to our shippers. The advertised price of the item does not include the shipping cost, sales tax, import duty or custom fees.
Important information regarding PayPal payment:
We only accept payment from fully verified PayPal account holders with confirmed addresses only. Items will only be sent to the confirmed address registered in PayPal. If you purchase an item and your address is not confirmed, your payment will be refunded and the purchase cancelled. It only takes a few moments to verify and confirm your PayPal details.
About the Seller:
This item is being sold by Yola Gray Antiques who is an accredited member of LAPADA (the UK’s largest Trade Association of Professional Art and Antique Dealers) and CINOA. CINOA is the world association of Art & Antique dealer associations. All LAPADA & CINOA members abide by their strict code of practice by adhering to reputable standards of quality, expertise and integrity.
Yola Gray has dealt in fine art and antique furniture for over 40 years. Yola Gray has a special interest in Colonial furniture, specifically Colonial Four Poster Beds. Yola Gray also provides a variety of fine English Antique Furniture, Art and Fabrics to clients in the UK, Europe and further afield.
Please visit the Yola Gray website at www.yolagray.com for further items and information.
Ref. 58899