Antique Carved Oak Stool with Hinged Lid & Storage
A characterful Antique Carved Oak Stool with Hinged Lid & Storage, combining the practical proportions of a small stool with the enclosed form of a traditional box or diminutive coffer. Richly carved to the front and sides, the hinged oak lid opens to reveal useful concealed storage.
Key Features
- Antique English carved oak stool with hinged lid
- Compact box-form construction with useful internal storage
- Strongly carved front with repeating architectural arcaded decoration
- Carved side supports with geometric and stylised foliate detail
- Solid oak construction with substantial boarded top
- Hinged lid retained on traditional iron strap hinges
- Warm, naturally aged oak surface with considerable character
- Compact 33 cm height suitable as an occasional or fireside stool
- Form relates closely to traditional small coffers and Bible boxes
- English antique dating to the early–mid 18th century
Full Description
This Antique Carved Oak Stool with Hinged Lid & Storage is an unusual piece of early English furniture, combining a compact four-legged stool form with the enclosed storage traditionally associated with small coffers and Bible boxes.
Constructed in solid oak, the stool has a substantial rectangular hinged top above a deep box-form body, raised on four broad supports. The front is particularly distinctive, carved with a repeated architectural arrangement of rounded arches alternating with smaller stylised foliate motifs. The carving continues around the sides, where deeper geometric and shaped decoration gives the stool considerable visual interest from different angles.
The hinged oak lid opens on a pair of traditional iron strap hinges to reveal a simple storage compartment. Its construction and proportions relate closely to the tradition of small English oak coffers and Bible boxes, although today the form lends itself particularly well to use as a small antique stool with concealed storage.
At just 33 cm high and 52 cm wide, it has an appealingly diminutive scale. It can sit beside a fireside chair or sofa, beneath a window, in a bedroom or hallway, where it provides both a useful low surface and discreet storage. Its compact proportions also allow the carved oak stool to work comfortably within traditional, country-house and more pared-back contemporary interiors.
The oak has developed a warm, mellow surface through age and handling, with softened edges, tonal variation and wear visible across the top, carving and supports. Rather than appearing overly formal, the irregularity of the hand-worked construction and carving gives the stool the individual character associated with early vernacular English furniture.
Dimensions
Height: 33 cm
Width: 52 cm
Depth: 26 cm
All measurements are approximate.
Materials
Solid English oak construction with a boarded hinged top, carved oak front and side elements and four substantial supports. The lid retains traditional iron strap hinges. Hand-worked carving and an naturally aged, patinated surface.
Condition
Good antique condition with considerable surface wear, marks, softened edges and tonal variation consistent with its age and long use. There are areas of historic movement and wear to the timber, particularly around the top and extremities. The irregularities form part of the character of this early oak furniture and are visible in the photographs.
Origin / Period
Origin: England
Period: Late 18th century early 19th century
Styling Suggestions
Its compact scale makes this antique carved oak stool particularly useful beside a fireside chair, sofa or bed, or as a small occasional stool within a hallway or living room. The hinged lid provides concealed storage while the carving gives the stool enough architectural presence to stand alone as a decorative object.
FAQ
Q: Is this an antique stool or a Bible box?
A: Its construction combines characteristics associated with both forms. It can be used today as a small carved oak stool with hinged storage, while its box-form construction relates closely to traditional English Bible boxes and diminutive coffers.
Q: Does the hinged lid open for storage?
A: Yes. The oak top lifts on traditional iron strap hinges to reveal a useful internal storage compartment.
Q: How old is the stool?
A: The construction, oak, carving and ironwork are consistent with an early to mid 18th-century English date, circa 1700–1750.
Why This Object Stands Apart
What distinguishes this antique carved oak stool is the combination of compact scale, practical storage and unusually extensive decoration. The repeated architectural carving continues from the front around the sides, while the broad supports and substantial hinged top give the object a strong, almost miniature-coffer appearance. It is both useful furniture and an interesting survival of early English oak craftsmanship.
All your questions answered below...
- Fully insured delivery
- Returns accepted
- Authenticity assured
- UK-based seller, secure checkout
Delivery & Shipping Information
We’re dedicated to delivering every order with care, reliability, and your satisfaction at the heart of what we do.
Fully insured UK mainland delivery is calculated at checkout (typically £12–£45). Larger furniture items may be £60+ depending on item size, access, and delivery postcode.
Please note: the listed price is for the item only. Delivery costs are calculated separately at checkout.
UK Delivery (Mainland)
We are based in Southsea, Portsmouth (PO5) and deliver nationwide across the UK.
Delivery charges are calculated based on the item’s size, weight, and destination to ensure the most accurate and fair pricing.
Free local delivery may be available depending on your location — please get in touch to check availability.
Delivery Areas & Coverage
We deliver to most UK regions and aim to provide the most efficient and cost-effective delivery options available.
For delivery addresses north of Newcastle, or within Wales, Scotland, the Highlands, Ireland, and offshore islands, please contact us before purchasing so we can confirm delivery availability and provide an accurate quote.
International Shipping
We can arrange international shipping worldwide.
Please contact us for a tailored shipping quote.
Delivery Times & Method
Delivery typically takes 5–10 working days, depending on location and order timing.
We use trusted specialist furniture couriers experienced in transporting antiques, vintage furniture, and fragile items, ensuring safe handling throughout transit.
Standard delivery is one-man delivery to ground floor only.
Assistance may be required unless a two-man delivery service is arranged at an additional cost.
Need a Delivery Quote?
For an accurate delivery quote or to confirm any additional charges, please contact us via:
📞 +44 (0) 7973 154860
💬 WhatsApp (button available on any page)
✉️ Email us with your full delivery postcode
We can ship to most places. We have the ability to to send consignments Internationally and they are all professionally wrapped, packed and or crated for a safe and successful journey.
There is going to be additional costs and lead times depending on various factors.
The best advice is to get a quote before you decide to purchase any item/s.
Listed in every product description are the dimensions for each product.
This information is provided so you can check if the piece you wish to buy will fit in your home.
Please double check your dimensions. One, to make sure it will fit through any doorway in to your home. Secondly, to make sure it fits in the space you want to place in it in. If in doubt, ring for help!
Any questions please get in touch, here to help.
If you would like to speak to someone before placing an order, check dimensions or have a general question, please call Mark on 07973 154860.
You can email mark (@) campbellvintage.co.uk
Alternatively you can use the Live Chat on our website
(bottom left hand corner), message us via WhatsApp or via our
Instagram account.
Office Address: 71 Campbell Road, Southsea, PO5 1RJ. By appointment only to this address. Need to be booked in advance.
Always here to help.
Our products come with a guarantee stating they are as described when purchased.
As all our products are either antiques or vintage and have a life before we got them, we do not offer traditional warranties due to the age, nature of the items and their history.
Please inspect the many images we provide online to be sure you want the item offered before purchasing.
The condition of each product is noted on all products in the main description. Please read this so you are clear on what you are buying.
If you have any questions however small beforehand and to give yourself peace of mind, please make contact. As we are very happy to discuss anything in greater detail.
One last thing! Please double check your dimensions. One, to make sure it will fit through any doorway in to your home. Secondly, to make sure it fits in the space you want to place in it in. If in doubt, ring for help!
Here to help.
We hope you will be happy with your purchase. If for any reason you are unhappy, you may return the item/items to us within 14 days. Please notify us within 14 days.
You will need to arrange for the safe return of any item or items purchased. Please ensure the goods are returned in the same condition as sent to you.
You will be responsible for all return cost.
Once we have received your return, we will refund you the cost of the item/items, less any initial delivery and packaging costs, within 14 days.
Last of all, if returning an item, please advise us when we are likely to expect the item. We can then book this in and make sure we are available to except the item.
If you have any questions please contact us before ordering.
Here to help.
All direct payment gateways adhere to the standards set by PCI-DSS as managed by the PCI Security Standards Council, which is a joint effort of brands like Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover.
Trade sale. Sold as seen. No returns.