Antique Blanket Chests
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French Early 19th Century Oak Coffer
Original price was: $2,450.00.$1,965.00Current price is: $1,965.00.22.5"H x 41"W x 20.625"D
Dimensions: 22-1/2″H x 41″W x 20-5/8″D
A stunning oak coffer from the early part of the 19th century, France. This wonderful trunk has a design reminiscent of Jacobean design, however is more recent. Beautiful moulded walnut trim frames the front and sides with other trim fashioned into geometric shapes. These lovely embellishments give this coffer a unique style that is all its own. It is lifted by four feet that have been styled in the same fashion as feet found on many Louis Philippe pieces. Patinated cut-steel escutcheons and drop bail handles can be found on the coffer’s front. The perfect blanket chest for the end of a bed. c.1830.
Shop Antique Blanket Chests
Antique blanket chests are simple wooden boxes with hinged lids and handles on the side for easy transport. Chests are one of the earliest storage solutions and predate cupboards and cabinets by hundreds of years. Their simple and sturdy construction made them accessible to families that could not afford the expert woodworking skills of cabinet-makers, and blanket chests were the storage option for choice for European immigrants sailing to the United States.
As with any other type of antique furniture, blanket chests vary dramatically in style, size, and materials. For example, many come with decorative finishes, such as carvings on the sides or lid, drawers, and even wheels for easy transport. Some chests even have backs and armrests, effectively turning them into bench chests, which combine storage and seating in one handy package.
Blanket chests are still a great storage option and can fit in cupboards or function as coffee tables or even window seats. Fireside Antiques offers various styles, woods, and sizes of antique blanket chests. If you’re short on closet space or want a memorable conversation piece, check out our selection of antique blanket chests.
Common Antique Blanket Chest Materials
Woodworkers used a selection of woods to make blanket chests, including:
- Pine: An affordable wood that’s relatively light and easy to transport
- Cherry: A premium wood that has a distinct reddish-brown color and is known for its durability and longevity
- Cedar: A durable, premium wood that has a distinct fragrance that repels insects and protects materials from moths
- Oak: A premium wood with antifungal properties
- Camphor: A dark, fragrant wood that repels insects and mold
What Can You Store in Your Antique Blanket Chest?
As the name suggests, you can store blankets and linens in your antique blanket chest. The square shape and large size make it perfect for bedding, especially if you opt for a cedar or oak chest that protects the items inside from insects and mold.
However, antique chests can store several other items, including clothes, purses, jewelry boxes, hats, and collectibles, such as coin collections or magazines
Antique blanket chests can be functional or decorative, and with so many to choose from, the only limit is your imagination.