Object Description
This is a primitive antique English Charles II English oak six-plank boarded chest, incorporating the carved initials “R.B.” on the front, circa 1660, in good condition.
Summary:
• Item: Chest / Coffer
• Provenance England, UK
• Period: Charles II
• Circa: 1660
• Mid 17th Century
• Wood: Solid oak
• Six-plank boarded design
• Primitive Punch-work carvings
• Owner’s initials “R.B.” inscribed on front panel
• Original demi-lune scribe carvings
• Original chip-edge carvings
• Old strike / lock plate
• Original iron strap hinges
• Original candle box
• Original lid, sides, back & bottom
• Original length “v shaped” cut-out bracket feet (stiles)
• Small proportions
• Original polish & patination
• Lovely deep rich oxblood colour
• Free delivery to England, Wales & Southern Scotland*
• Free 14-day UK returns
Description:
This is a primitive antique English Charles II English oak six-plank boarded chest, incorporating the carved initials “R.B.” on the front, circa 1660, in good condition. The chest is primitively constructed using six planks, with butt joints to the corners, secured by handmade iron nails. They were referred to as “boarded” chests that evolved into panelled coffers later on in the 18th century. The hinged lid is decorated with simple “chip-edge” carved moulding to the front and sides of the lid. The front of the chest is decorated with small primitive punch work star and cross carvings, along with lunette shaped scribe carvings across the frieze and primitive chip-edge carvings to the corners. The initials “R.B.” are carved into the front panel on a sunken background and would have most likely been the owner who the chest was originally commissioned for. The lid retains its original iron strap hinges, along with an old lock plate to the front. Please note, there is no lock or key. The interior is clean, dry and the coffer is practical and usable and retains the original candle box. The chest stands on its original length stiles (feet), which were constructed from saw cuts forming v-shaped bracket feet, which were deliberately continued higher on the external surface. It is nice to see the feet at the original height; usually they are cut down, damaged or some get worn away standing on damp / cold floors (as the feet were the main point of contact with damp floors). The back of the coffer features the original rough-hewn back and original floor. The coffer features the original wax polish therefore it has a lovely rich dark oak colour and patination.
Such chests were used to store valuable possessions, and were common in many rooms of the house. Sometimes given as a dowry (wedding present); they were lockable and were used to store all manner of valuable possessions from weapons, clothing, and blankets to utensils.
This is a primitive oak coffer having been around in the days of Charles II, Cromwell’s conquest of Ireland & Scotland and the Great Fire of London. This style of primitive coffer was constructed all over England from the 16th century onwards and was the precursor to the chest of drawers. They were also used as benches. Local carpenters, rather than cabinetmakers made them for ubiquitous use in their local area.
This item would look great in a variety of rooms from the hallway, to the living room or bedroom, as an ottoman at the foot of the bed.
Dimensions:
Height = 49.7cm or 19⅝” or 1ft 7⅝”
External Width = 92cm or 36¼” or 3ft 0¼”
External Depth = 33.7cm or 13⅛” or 1ft 1⅛”
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.
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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.
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