17th Century Dorset Coffer

This is a rare 17th Century antique Dorset coffer of very good colour and typical small proportions, with ebonized sections to the carved front. The hinges are replaced, otherwise In good original condition. A very similar example is illustrated in Victor Chinnerys book, Oak Furniture The British Tradition. The decoration on this coffer is typical of a small group of chests and boxes from Dorset. An interesting feature of these coffers is that the bottom boards always seem to run along the length of the piece and often have a support baton to the centre. A historically interesting piece.