Antique Mule Chests were a form of Coffer, primitively built using old clout nails or wooden pegs and having a hinged lid. The difference between them, is they have two or three drawers at the bottom of the wooden box due to the impracticality of difficult to reach items stored at the bottom of the coffer. Antique Mule Chests were most popular in the early to mid 17th Century in Oak and were often used to store clothes, linens, harness equipment or valuables and all had a large key with lock, although it is quite unusual to find them still with their original key. These early pieces of period furniture always have a lovely charm about them from years of use and a build up of wax giving them a glowing patina. The best examples always have the original pin hinges, along with oak base boards and candle box with lift up lid in the interior. They will stand on tall raised feet called ‘stiles’ and have a panelled or carved front. Earlier examples will have a raised, fielded panel with Mahogany cross banded edging. Some have the dates carved onto the top rail with two initials, this was called a ‘marriage chest’. Have a look below at our lovely examples available for sale.
