Wonderful 17th Century Oak Chest Made with Love c. 1660

With a fabulous colour, this is a wonderful small 17th century oak chest with original iron lock plate.

All the original timbers are retained here including the original twin boarded top with channel carved and thumb moulded border and the original oak boards to the base which are nailed up with iron hand forged nails.

The front of the chest has scratch carved geometric decoration above three bands of deep confident carving, the lowest band has running S scrolls centred by flowers and the upper two band with foliate arcades of running strapwork each centred by a small heart or flower.    The box corners flanking the front panel are deeply notched.

Below the iron hasp are the engraved initials M A above a beautifully carved and etched heart.

Below the lid on either side are oak brackets which act as hinges and allow the lid to rise smoothly on oak pintel hinges. These appear to be late 17th or early 18th century additions.

The chest is boarded with thickly cut wainscot oak. No worm, no major repairs, lots of wear and nibbles to the edges of the bottom board but no significant damage, knocks or marks and the chest is heavy, solid and completely usable.

A really beautiful small and early oak chest, perhaps intended as a sewing or work box, heavy and robust, made by skilled hands in c. 1660 and clearly made as a token of love for ‘M A’

I am always intrigued by these early named pieces and the stories they could tell.

In beautiful entirely usable condition and with superb patination from centuries of handling, wax and care. If someone would love the most beautiful ‘memory box’ for their dearest possessions, this is undoubtedly it!