Summary:

• Item: Georgian Mule Chest
• Provenance England, UK
• Circa: 1780
• Period: George III
• Wood: Solid oak
• Low height
• Twin-plank top
• Traditional dove-tail panel construction
• Reeded lower frame
• Two cushion-fronted drawers
• Original iron loop hinges
• Pierced brass swan-neck handles
• Original Working lock to lid and drawers (with keys)
• Original top, sides, drawer linings, back & bottom
• Original ogee bracket feet
• Lovely colour and patination
• Ideal for storing bedding & clothes etc.
• Free delivery to mainland England, Wales & southern Scotland*
• 14-day free UK returns policy

Description:

Here is a fine quality antique English low Georgian mule chest, constructed in solid oak, with two working drawers, displaying a rich colour, circa 1780, in excellent condition.  This oak mule chest features a twin-plank hinged lid, below a chest constructed with large hand-dovetail joints on all four corners.  The Georgian mule chest also boasts a working lock (with working key) to the main storage area.  The lid opens on its original iron strap hinges to reveal a large clean and dry interior.  Below is a stepped reeded front panel, which incorporates two cushion-fronted drawers, decorated brass swan-beck handles on pierced fretwork panel and the original working steel locks (with key).  The drawers are constructed with the original pine linings and close flush to the frame.  The sides of the chest are adorned with single wide panels; the back retains the original elm backboards. The drawer linings and bottoms are constructed of solid pine, as are the wide floorboards in the base of the chest and are all original. The Georgian mule chest stands on its original ogee bracket feet and retains the original floor boards.

This oak blanket box with drawers boasts a rich warm oak colour having been cleaned and wax-polished in our workshop.  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 storage chest 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.

History of the Blanket Box / Mule Chest:

The design of the blanket chest originated from the earlier 16^th and 17^th century English oak sword chests and coffers.  Blanket chests were very popular as they provided a multitude of uses around the home from storing linen in the bedroom and clothing.  In the eighteenth century, built-in wardrobes did not exist! A mule chest was often the only item of furniture that a family owned. It is believed that such chests were called “mule chests” because slippers, called mules in the 17th and 18th century, were kept in the drawers of the chest. Blankets and bedding were stored in the larger compartment above.

Vernacular (country) chests / boxes were commonly made from oak or elm, as this source of timber was then plentiful in supply.  The grain configuration displayed by elm is quite lovely, with all the swirling patterns in the grain.  Over the years, drawers were added to the basic form, increasing the height, and gradually a different piece of furniture evolved called the mule chest and then what we know as the modern chest of drawers, with multiple graduated banks of drawers. Nowadays, they are popular as coffee tables in the living room, because antique coffee tables never existed.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trunk_(luggage)

Source: https://www.antiquetalk.com/index.php/antique-talk/27-blanket-chests

Source: https://wwch.org/new/Technique/Blankchest.htm#:~:text=Blanket%20chests%20were%20very%20popular,%22mules%22%20by%20the%20colonists.

External Dimensions:

Height = 59cm / 23¼” / 1ft 11¼”
Width (Plinth) = 98cm / 38⅝” / 3ft 2⅝”
Depth (Plinth) = 51cm / 20” / 1ft 8”

Internal Box Dimensions:

Height = 27.5cm / 10⅞”
Width = 90cm / 35½” / 2ft 11½”
Depth = 44cm / 17¼” / 1ft 5¼”

Condition Report:

Here is a fine quality antique English low Georgian mule chest, constructed in solid oak, with two working drawers, displaying a rich colour, circa 1780, in excellent condition.  The chest has been cleaned and wax-polished by hand in our workshop.  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. The interior is clean, dry, and usable. The steel strap hinges to the lid are original and in excellent condition.  The brass swan-neck handles are old replacements.  The oak mule chest retains its original working steel lever locks (with working key) to the main storage area and drawers. The oak chest stands on its original bracket feet.  It is well constructed, solid in joint and ready to use.

Terms & Conditions:

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Ref. 111137