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Patterns and Carvings: Craftsmen often decorated oak coffers with patterns like diamonds, circles, and cross-hatching, which added a sense of depth and shadow, giving each piece a striking, architectural look.

This is undoubtedly one of the most exquisite chests I’ve encountered. Likely crafted as a dowry, often referred to as a hope chest or marriage chest, this piece is a marvel of design and craftsmanship. 

The colour, carving and peg construction make this a charming coffer from around the early half of the 1800's.

A primitive chip carved design to the front with the initials I. W. and a date of 1765. 

Marriage chests, also known as wedding chests or hope chests, are traditional storage chests used in many cultures to store items that a young woman would accumulate in preparation for her marriage. The ches...