How Old Is This Chest?

Hi all,

wondering exactly how old this chest, or "kist", is. It has been in the family for a few generations, and has ended up with me. I think it's very old, possibly 17th century, due to the way it's put together and the hinges etc. I don't think it's worth a huge amount - wouldn't want to part with it anyway - as it has always been used and has a lot of battle scars and war wounds!

Any ideas?

cheers,

Neil

 

I would agree with you..Lovely piece ..but please wait for the furniture people

 

It appears to be a late 17th century ( 1680-1700) 4 panel english chest with cotter pin hinges, probably riven oak. No, not worth a lot as condition is fair and no carving on the 4 central panels. I'd say $200-$400 range on east coast USA.
Here is a similar english example with typical carving decoration, note the carved panels and top rail

 

Called a five plank chest here. I love these. Old as anything and insanely cheap for what they are. Probably in the £300 range and I'd not part with it either. Does it have its candle box inside?

Oh and get a bit of bees wax on it, it will love it.

 

Thanks very much both for your inputs.

I will definitely give it some beeswax. There is no candle box inside. It is lined with Victorian newspaper, some of which has survived.

It survived my house being flooded in December 2015 and had some restoration to the base as it got warped a little.

My grandmother used it as a bedding box and it was always used for storage on the farms.

It has great sentimental value and interest because of how far it goes back in the family and the family from whom it was acquired and because of its sheer age. I love it and will hang on to it as long as I can.

I have another smaller more recent chest which has a drawer inside and has writing on the inside of its lid probably written by my great-great grandfather, and has also had newspaper lining and I might post some pics of that one too.

thanks again

Neil

 

Sure, post away! I am always up to bore people to death talking about old furniture. Just because a piece isn't very valuable in the marketplace doesn't mean it doesn't have great personal value, usually because of family members who owned it.

 

Hi Neil,

I've got a similar chest, probably same general vintage and design which I'll be posting and asking for help on, so your questions/answers here are most helpful. Thanks for getting the ball rolling on this item. (I wouldn't part with it either, it's part of the family). Ursula (I'm Scott too)