Posted 11 years ago
EdwardCili…
(2 items)
Very unusual find is this circa 1762 all original antique Domed-Top Seaman's Sea Chest with provenance including a complete list of the surnames as it was passed down from generation to generation. It has also been in the same family for over 200 years with complete documentation.
Everything is original, has never been restored, beautiful ornate hardware, hand wrought iron handles, the paper above the small box built into one end includes the handwritten notes of documents that were included and what appears to be at least one of the surnames of a previous owner.
The exterior of this sea chest is quite rare with the intricate workmanship. Most old sea chests were plain and intended to receive the natural wear and tear with the transfer from ship to ship. This Sea Chest shows very little signs of hard usage on the exterior as it was handed down from generation to generation. This circa 1762 Sea Chest having survived in such excellent condition is a real dream for Naval Historian types. This truly should be in a Maritime or University Museum. The hardware is all correct. The Sea Chest is quite large measuring 30.5" tall, 46" long and 25" across.
If anyone has ever seen one as comparable to this one, please send me photos.
Many of the antique dealers that I have talked with or who have seen this in person have told me this is truly a dream come true.
I am also looking to get additional information on Sea Chests from the 1700's if anyone can provide a source or direct me to the proper venue. Thank you
I believe this would be more properly call a captain's or officer's chest/coffer. If you look on my CW site, there is a seaman's chest, but it is only 26" long & believe would be typical. This is a beautiful piece & envy you. You don't mention if you obtained it but sound like you would be an appreciative owner. Thanks for showing this gem to us. There are some members who will probably have to buy new keyboards because of drooling on theirs!
Thank you for your kind words. I do have possession of this beautiful piece.
I have never seen anything like chest in my life .
I have many more detailed pictures of this chest but think I was only limited to 4 photo's. If i could have placed more on, I would have included another 14 pictures...
All the best!
Absolutely Stunning!!!
Sounds like you could open up a TV series on this. I think our local CW trunk specialists might be in shock! We can't call 911 for them as we don't have addresses. Can you get electrocuted by drooling on a keyboard? I'll have to Bing that right now.
Oh, are the hinges, lock-plates, metal work etc., brass, copper or wrought iron?
I am not an expert at this part, but it appears to be a combination of all of the above including the hand-wrought iron original handles and ornate hardware and locks as some of the finest features of this exceptional sea chest/captain's or officer's chest/coffer. The till box cover is what I find to be very mystifying in trying to decipher what personal belongings were included. One of the names that is handwritten on the top part of the"till" or small drawer is C H Fisk which is one of the names of the owners when it was passed down. The only other information that I have and from a reliable and confirmed source is that the family that has owned this for the past 200 years was related to Paul Revere.
Ah -- the Holy Grail -- we thank thee kind sir for displaying this fine piece of craftsmanship. Simply marvelous!
Very nice piece. I can see it with East-Indian Company ships, in my mind ;)
I have a few captains trunks and the Chinese on I posted with canvas, the East Indian company was here in Salem Ma. Salem is next town beside here, the collections from East Indian company, and Essex Institute. Are in this museum now http://www.pem.org/
There collection is so large on the website is only new collections and shows, my wife's family gave a lot to them over the last 100 yrs. I sister of her G. Grandmother from 1848-1912, she was marry to a Captain 1863 from Salem. look and my shot there?
The family who had owned the chest for the past 200 years,originally brought it over from England in the early 19th century.
What a treasure ! and to have history too Priceless :-)
What a fabulous find!
What part of Ky, if I might ask? I grew up in Louisville, Ky before I moved to California in 1982.
So many have told me that this is a real "Show Stopper" and I feel very thankful.
It's been an ultimate dream of mine to have found this European Dome-Top Captain's/Officers Sea Chest/Pirate Chest/Coffer Circa 1762 with the provenance including the owners names as it was passed down from generation to generation.
This very much & hope you keep it in your family for many years to come
blunderbuss2...sorry it took time to answer your question..but most of the hardware on the chest is wrought iron. Of course there is the brass knob in front.
This is such a wonderful piece I really do hope you keep it in the family for many more generations it's wonderful.
Beautiful chest and amazing piece of history