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English Georgian Panelled Oak Marriage Mule Chest

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English Georgian Panelled Oak Marriage Mule Chest Chest  mule coffer %%alt5%% %%alt6%%
Here is a fine quality antique English George II oak marriage chest, circa 1730, in good original condition, which would have been offered as a wedding gift / dowry to a newly married couple.

Summary:
• Item: Marriage Chest
• Provenance North West England, UK
• Period: George II
• Circa: 1730
• Wood: Oak
• Offered as a wedding gift / dowry
• Owners’ initials (‘A’ and ‘S’) carved on front panels
• Used for storing bedding, clothes & utensils
• Moulded plank top
• 3 stunning fielded dome shaped front panels
• Intricate feather banding
• 3 lower moulded drawers
• Peg construction
• Original brass swan neck handles & escutcheons
• Original working locks and keys
• Original wrought iron loop hinges
• Original top, sides, back & bottom boards
• Original turned bun feet
• Original polish and patination
• Lovely mellow colour
• Free delivery to mainland England, Wales & southern Scotland
• Free 14 day returns policy

Description:
Here is a fine quality antique English George II oak marriage chest, circa 1730, in good original condition, which would have been offered as a wedding gift / dowry to a newly married couple. Originating from a farmhouse in the North West of England, we believe it to be of Cheshire / border counties origin, because of its colour, possibly with some Welsh influenced because of its design. The three-plank moulded hinged top boasts its original wrought iron loop hinges, which are still in good condition. The lid incorporates a striking plate and the original steel working lock, which also includes a key. The interior of the chest is dry and clean. The front of the chest is labelled with the initials ‘A’ and ‘S’ on a punch work recessed background, which would have been the initials of the newly married couple. Such items were donated as wedding presents because of their functional value in a new home. The chest boasts three stunning dome shaped fielded panels decorated with fine feather banding and three molded drawers below, also decorated with fine feather banding. The drawers are oak lined and hand dovetailed. The right hand drawer features its original working lock (with key). The chest retains its original brassware this is evident with the key escutcheon for the lid and also the original brass swan neck handles and decorative brass back plates on the three drawers below.

Good quality wide twin inset oak side panels adorn the sides of the chest the back retains the original rough-hewn oak backboards. The drawer linings and bottoms are constructed of oak, as are the wide floorboards in the base of the chest, which 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 its original turned bun feet to the front and simple stiles to the rear.

A type of antique furniture like this 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. There are several theories of where the term “mule chests” originated, but some believed it was because slippers (footwear) were then referred to as “mules” in the 17th and 18th century, and they were kept in the drawers of the chest. Blankets and bedding were stored above in the larger compartment and the footwear could be accessed without disturbing the bedding in the top section.

This mule chest boasts a mellow oak colour. 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. 

Condition Report:
This mule chest is in good original condition. There are nominal old marks to the top, leading edges, tops, sides and front (see photos) but nothing significant considering the age of the item. Such old use marks are inevitable and perfectly acceptable due to its age and use it would have received. There is no missing feather banding. The wrought iron wire loop hinges to the lid are original and in good condition. The box also retains its original lock and a working key. The brass key escutcheons and the brass drawer swan neck drawer handles on the front of the chest are also original. The interior is clean, dry, and usable. The right hand drawer features its original working lock (with key). The other two drawers were not designed with locks. The chest is raised on its original turned feet at the front and stiles at the rear. The back and floorboards are also original. The chest is well constructed, solid in joint and ready to use.

Dimensions:  
Height = 88.5cm or 34⅞” or 2ft 10⅞”
Width = 121cm or 47⅝” or 4ft 11⅝”
Depth = 50.7cm or 20” or 1ft 8”

Customer Service:
We offer customer satisfaction through the following services:
• Free delivery to England, Wales & Southern Scotland
• Free 14 Day Returns
• Full money back assurance
• Worldwide shipping
• Full insurance of items in transit
• Full assembly service

Further Information:
For more information or photographs please email or call us.

Office: 01829 458 070
Julian: 07960 738 212
Yolanda: 07971 882 567

Customers outside the UK should call:

Office: 00 44 1829 458 070
Julian: 00 44 7960 738 212
Yolanda: 00 44 7971 882 567

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 be 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 card 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 Yolanda 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.

Yolanda Gray has dealt in fine art and antique furniture for over 40 years. Yolanda Gray has a special interest in Colonial antique furniture, specifically Colonial Four Poster Beds. Yolanda 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 Yolanda Gray website for further items and information.

Ref. Mule Chest 2
Price
£0.00  UK
$0.00  USA
0.00  EU
 The price has been listed in British Pounds.
Conversion rates as of 7/MAY/2024. Euro & Dollar prices will vary and should only be used as a guide.
Always confirm final price with dealer.
 Free delivery to anywhere in mainland England, Wales & Southern Scotland
 
Date 1730  George II Antiques Material Oak Origin English Item code as236a1432 / Mule Chest 2 Status Sold

SellerYola Gray Antiques

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Yola Gray Antiques


Yola Gray AntiquesUnit 4, Organsdale Farm
Kelsall,
Tarporley
Cheshire
CW6 0SR

Tel : 01829 458 070

Non UK callers : +44 1829 458 070

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English Georgian Panelled Oak Marriage Mule Chest
 
as236a1432 / Mule Chest 2
 


 
 






 

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