Contact Seller
Rob Hall Antiques
Tel07858 820345Please quote Antiques Atlas.
Non UK callers :
+44 7858 820345
17th c Ottery St Mary oak chest Thomas Dennis
An undocumented and very good example of a west country joined oak chest from Ottery St. Mary, Exeter, Devon highly likely to have been constructed in the workshop in which Thomas Dennis was an apprentice. Thomas Dennis, alongisde William Searle, emigrated to New England, America in 1663 and went on to become one of the foremost furniture makers of the period.
The features seen in this chest continued to appear in Dennis' work in New England, and wide research has taken place around the workshop where Dennis was an apprentice. The significant features of the chest undoubtedly point to its origins in the Exeter workshop. In fact whilst referred to as the Exeter workshop more recent research supports the location of the workshop as Ottery St Mary, outside Exeter, Devon.
The chest is of good colour and retains signs of the original red paint - including within the carved date, which is unusual.
The lid of two boards with run-moulded long edges and dog-tooth punched-decorated ends The chest is a triple panelled chest. There is S scroll work, typical of Devon to the top rail and foliage emerging from the lozenges on the left and right front panel. A running leaf and stem is carved to the bottom rail, with double S scroll work to the muntins.
The characteristic Dennis workshop features are present with the distinctive and cleats with notches and ogee bracket scroll, the V-V ogee moudling and the sloping till (or candle box) - a particlaur feature of Dennis chests.
The incised initials to the right, MS 1687, denote the owners initials and date the chest was made. Two other known examples also have the flattening to the top of the 8 in the carving and at least one has traces of the original paint in the carving as with this chest. The date is undoubtedly correct and in keeping with three other chests which have previoulsy been exhibited having similar dates and clearly by the same artisan - their features being so similar, to have been by a different artisan is to defy belief.
The originality of the chest throughout is delightful and it has come to the market for the first time in some time this week, having previously been in private hands.
Measuring: 117cm wide, 51 cm deep and 69 cm high
Exeter, England, 1687
SellerRob Hall Antiques
View all stock from
Rob Hall Antiques
Private dealer
By appointment only
Oundle,
Northants
Tel : 07858 820345
Non UK callers : +44 7858 820345
The features seen in this chest continued to appear in Dennis' work in New England, and wide research has taken place around the workshop where Dennis was an apprentice. The significant features of the chest undoubtedly point to its origins in the Exeter workshop. In fact whilst referred to as the Exeter workshop more recent research supports the location of the workshop as Ottery St Mary, outside Exeter, Devon.
The chest is of good colour and retains signs of the original red paint - including within the carved date, which is unusual.
The lid of two boards with run-moulded long edges and dog-tooth punched-decorated ends The chest is a triple panelled chest. There is S scroll work, typical of Devon to the top rail and foliage emerging from the lozenges on the left and right front panel. A running leaf and stem is carved to the bottom rail, with double S scroll work to the muntins.
The characteristic Dennis workshop features are present with the distinctive and cleats with notches and ogee bracket scroll, the V-V ogee moudling and the sloping till (or candle box) - a particlaur feature of Dennis chests.
The incised initials to the right, MS 1687, denote the owners initials and date the chest was made. Two other known examples also have the flattening to the top of the 8 in the carving and at least one has traces of the original paint in the carving as with this chest. The date is undoubtedly correct and in keeping with three other chests which have previoulsy been exhibited having similar dates and clearly by the same artisan - their features being so similar, to have been by a different artisan is to defy belief.
The originality of the chest throughout is delightful and it has come to the market for the first time in some time this week, having previously been in private hands.
Measuring: 117cm wide, 51 cm deep and 69 cm high
Exeter, England, 1687
Price
Click here to message the seller The price has been listed in British Pounds.
Conversion rates as of 21/NOV/2024. Euro & Dollar prices will vary and should only be used as a guide.
Always confirm final price with dealer.
Category Antique Furniture
Date 1687
Restoration Antiques Material Oak
Origin English
Item code as226a538
Status For Sale
£2200.00
$2775.96
€2641.10
$2775.96
€2641.10
Looking to Buy?
Arrange a final price and delivery details directly with the dealerClick here to message the seller
Conversion rates as of 21/NOV/2024. Euro & Dollar prices will vary and should only be used as a guide.
Always confirm final price with dealer.
View all stock from
Rob Hall Antiques
By appointment only
Oundle,
Northants
Tel : 07858 820345
Non UK callers : +44 7858 820345
You may also be interested in
Antique Leather Bound Trunk / Blanket Chest
Lancashire Mule Chest
Lovely Victorian, solid camphorwood campaign trunk
Victorian Camphorwood Campaign Chest /Coffee Table
Small Oak Coffer
Victorian Pine Blanket Box, Coffee Table
Large Military Camphor Wood Kist / Trunk
Rare 18th Century Pine Paneled Coffer
Primitive Hewn Beech Shepherd's Chest 18th Century
19thc Teak Campaign Chest
Late 19thc Camphor Wood Chest
18thc Oak Coffer