Featured PLEASE HELP IDENTIFY ANTIQUE COFFER WITH STRANGE CARVINGS

HI EVERYONE.I PURCHASE THIS COFFER YESTERDAY. IT IS 51" LONG WITH ALL WOOD PEG CONSTRUCTION AND NO NAILS ANYWHERE. THE LID HAS IRON LOOP HINGES. I'D LIKE YOUR OPINIONS ON AGE, COUNTRY OF ORIGIN, AND WHAT THE CARVINGS MAY MEAN.ONE CARVING LOOKS LIKE IT MAY SAY 1566. THANK YOU!

 

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Nuku Hiva

Map showing the location of Nuku Hiva within the Marquesas Islands


Nuku Hiva
Location of Nuku Hiva Island in the Pacific Ocean
Geography
Location South Pacific Ocean
Coordinates 8°52′S 140°08′W
Archipelago Marquesas Islands
Area 339 km2 (131 sq mi)
Highest elevation 1,224 m (4016 ft)
Highest point Tekao
Administration
France
Overseas country French Polynesia
Demographics
Population 3,120 (2017)
Pop. density 7.8/km2 (20.2/sq mi)
Nuku Hiva (sometimes spelled Nukahiva or Nukuhiva) is the largest of the Marquesas Islands in French Polynesia, an overseas country of France in the Pacific Oc

only because I read your 1566.... as being Isle....

 

& what's with the ALL CAPS??

 

The style of the decorative carving is called "linen fold".

 

Never would have figured that out! Thanks!

 

Excitement!

 

That’s a very cool and very old thing.

 

I like it a whole lot...Thanks!

 

Thanks everyone!

 

Very nice find/buy!

 

Can anyone help with age? There are several things that point to 17th or 18th century like iron loop hinges, all wood peg construction with no nails or screws at all, and linen fold construction. On the other hand if that is French Polynesian writing that island wasn't named until 1885. Also while tongue and grove construction is ancient in Europe I think it points to 19th century. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thank you for all the input so far!

 

any markings on the lock?

 

With all your experience when do you think it dates to?

 

I don't believe the 1566..... but I think I'm seeing French gothic ......

I'm confused..... and was hoping someone make out more of the writing , which should help date it..... imo

 

If made on the Island , that might have aged the wood , making it look older than it is....

just a thought..

 

Thanks. I don't think it was made on the Island there was probably only 200 or so Europeans on that Island during the time this was made. If that is Island writing I believe it was either carved later or the plinth with the carving was added later. Most of the characters used in that language don't match those on the chest. I don't believe it's 1566 either. I'm very confused too!

 

It's not about how it looks it's about how it's constructed. Loop hinges, wood pegs, and Linen fold carving point to 17th or 18th century. What bothers me is the tongue and groove construction and the symbols.