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European Chests

Until the Middle Ages there were no closets in which to store clothes and household possessions. Even when attics finally came into being, they lacked ready accessibility, and cellars tended to be damp, less-than-ideal storage spaces. The chest finally provided Medieval Europeans a place in which to keep their belongings.

In its early form, the chest was a large, simple wooden box with a hinged lid. Although its primary function was storage and safekeeping of clothing and valuables, chests were also used to store linen - especially those kept as dowries for brides-to-be to present their future husbands. In many cases, they did double duty as additional seating at a time when chairs were considered a luxury.

Early transcontinental ship manifests show chests were often the only piece of furniture that accompanied European travelers to the New World. Chests built by 17-century craftsmen became the model for later English pieces designed in the Jacobean style. Later European designs influenced American joiners like Nicholas Disbrowe of Hartford, Connecticut, and Thomas Dennis of Ipswich, Massachusetts.


Quick Facts

  • In July 2015 at Bonhams, a William and Mary-style burl veneer high chest dating to 19th century England sold for $1,845
  • A rare, handmade Wythe County blanket chest made in 1880 by German craftsman Henry Huddle sold in 2007 auction at Case Antiques for $99,000
  • In 2012, an Italian Renaissance Revival-style carved chest-on-chest sold at a Skinner auction in Boston for $3,240, above its $1,800 high estimate

Recommended Items at Auction

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Chest-box made of iron and leather, Italian, 17th century
Apr 30, 5:30 PM EDT
Chest-box made of iron and leather, Italian, 17th century
by DP Test House
Est: £3,000- £6,000
£1,0000 Bids
Aragonese Renaissance chest, 16th century
Apr 30, 5:30 PM EDT
Aragonese Renaissance chest, 16th century
by DP Test House
Est: £6,000- £8,000
£3,0000 Bids
Italian chest in marquetry, 19th century
Apr 30, 5:30 PM EDT
Italian chest in marquetry, 19th century
by DP Test House
Est: £2,000- £2,500
£8000 Bids
MID-CENTURY DANISH TEAK CHEST OF DRAWERS
May 03, 7:45 PM EDT
MID-CENTURY DANISH TEAK CHEST OF DRAWERS
by Asté Maison de ventes
Est: $50- $10,000
$500 Bids
DANISH TEAK CHEST OF DRAWERS C. 1960S
May 03, 7:45 PM EDT
DANISH TEAK CHEST OF DRAWERS C. 1960S
by Asté Maison de ventes
Est: $50- $10,000
$500 Bids
MID-CENTURY DANISH TEAK CHEST OF DRAWERS C. 1960S
May 03, 7:45 PM EDT
MID-CENTURY DANISH TEAK CHEST OF DRAWERS C. 1960S
by Asté Maison de ventes
Est: $50- $10,000
$500 Bids
MID-CENTURY DANISH ROSEWOOD CHEST C. 1970S
May 03, 7:45 PM EDT
MID-CENTURY DANISH ROSEWOOD CHEST C. 1970S
by Asté Maison de ventes
Est: $50- $10,000
$500 Bids
MID-CENTURY DANISH TEAK TALLBOY CHEST C. 1960S
May 03, 7:45 PM EDT
MID-CENTURY DANISH TEAK TALLBOY CHEST C. 1960S
by Asté Maison de ventes
Est: $50- $10,000
$500 Bids
MID-CENTURY DANISH ROSEWOOD CHEST BY TREKANTEN
May 03, 7:45 PM EDT
MID-CENTURY DANISH ROSEWOOD CHEST BY TREKANTEN
by Asté Maison de ventes
Est: $50- $10,000
$500 Bids
DANISH TEAK CHEST OF DRAWERS C. 1960S
May 03, 7:45 PM EDT
DANISH TEAK CHEST OF DRAWERS C. 1960S
by Asté Maison de ventes
Est: $50- $10,000
$500 Bids
ATTR. KAI KRISTIANSEN DANISH TEAK CHEST OF DRAWERS
May 03, 7:45 PM EDT
ATTR. KAI KRISTIANSEN DANISH TEAK CHEST OF DRAWERS
by Asté Maison de ventes
Est: $50- $10,000
$500 Bids
SVEND LANGKILDE DANISH TEAK CHEST C. 1960S
May 03, 7:45 PM EDT
SVEND LANGKILDE DANISH TEAK CHEST C. 1960S
by Asté Maison de ventes
Est: $50- $10,000
$500 Bids
SWEDISH TEAK LOW CHEST W/ MIRROR C. 1960S
May 03, 7:45 PM EDT
SWEDISH TEAK LOW CHEST W/ MIRROR C. 1960S
by Asté Maison de ventes
Est: $50- $10,000
$500 Bids
DANISH ROSEWOOD CHEST OF DRAWERS C. 1960S
May 03, 7:45 PM EDT
DANISH ROSEWOOD CHEST OF DRAWERS C. 1960S
by Asté Maison de ventes
Est: $50- $10,000
$500 Bids
KJAERNULF STYLE DANISH OAK CHEST C. 1970S
May 03, 7:45 PM EDT
KJAERNULF STYLE DANISH OAK CHEST C. 1970S
by Asté Maison de ventes
Est: $50- $10,000
$500 Bids
SWEDISH OAK & TILE LOW CHEST W/ MIRROR C. 1960S
May 03, 7:45 PM EDT
SWEDISH OAK & TILE LOW CHEST W/ MIRROR C. 1960S
by Asté Maison de ventes
Est: $50- $10,000
$500 Bids

Sellers Who Sell European Chests


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Asté Maison de ventes