What is a marriage chest?

A marriage chest is an ornate chest that is given as a gift or dowry to the bride by her parents. It was popular during the Renaissance period in Italy. It was especially used to hold a bride's dowry goods or other possessions. Find marriage chests and other vintage and antique case pieces on 1stDibs.

How can you tell if a chest is antique?

To tell if a chest is antique, first examine its materials and details carefully. An antique chest is one produced 100 years ago or more. This generally predates the use of engineered wood, particleboard, plastics and other synthetic materials. As a result, an antique chest usually features solid wood construction.In addition, antique chests are likely to be handmade, so you should be able to spot subtle signs that indicate this, such as tool marks and small irregularities in any carvings. If a piece looks flawless and regular, it is unlikely to be antique. Locating a maker's mark and then researching when the manufacturer was active can also help you date your chest. Alternatively, you can use the services of a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer to learn more about your chest.On 1stDibs, shop a large selection of antique chests.

How do I identify an antique chest of drawers?

To identify an antique chest of drawers, look inside and beneath drawers and on the back and bottom for any type of maker's marking. Researching these marks using trusted online resources may allow you to determine who produced your chest and roughly date your piece. If your chest is at least 100 years old, it is an antique. Should you be unable to locate the maker's marks, look at the hardware. Rose head nails, one-piece cast brass pommels on the drawer handles and circular rather than hexagonal bolts may all indicate that a piece is an antique. Keep in mind that hardware may have been replaced at some point and that there are many reproductions of antique furnishings. As a result, you may wish to have a certified appraiser or experienced antique dealer complete the identification process if you're unable to identify your chest via the maker's markings. Find a range of antique chests of drawers on 1stDibs.

Antique Marriage Chests

Italian Cassone Chest

Antique Marriage Chests For Sale on 1stDibs

An assortment of antique marriage chests is available at 1stDibs. Each of these unique antique marriage chests was constructed with extraordinary care, often using wood, pine and softwood. There are all kinds of antique marriage chests available, from those produced as long ago as the 18th Century to those made as recently as the 20th Century. There are many kinds of antique marriage chests to choose from, but at 1stDibs, Folk Art, Baroque and Arts and Crafts antique marriage chests are of considerable interest.

How Much are Antique Marriage Chests?

Antique marriage chests can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price at 1stDibs is $2,419, while the lowest priced sells for $272 and the highest can go for as much as $125,000.

Questions About Antique Marriage Chests

What is a marriage chest?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertOctober 5, 2021
A marriage chest is an ornate chest that is given as a gift or dowry to the bride by her parents. It was popular during the Renaissance period in Italy. It was especially used to hold a bride's dowry goods or other possessions. Find marriage chests and other vintage and antique case pieces on 1stDibs.
How can you tell if a chest is antique?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertSeptember 9, 2024
To tell if a chest is antique, first examine its materials and details carefully. An antique chest is one produced 100 years ago or more. This generally predates the use of engineered wood, particleboard, plastics and other synthetic materials. As a result, an antique chest usually features solid wood construction.

In addition, antique chests are likely to be handmade, so you should be able to spot subtle signs that indicate this, such as tool marks and small irregularities in any carvings. If a piece looks flawless and regular, it is unlikely to be antique. Locating a maker's mark and then researching when the manufacturer was active can also help you date your chest. Alternatively, you can use the services of a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer to learn more about your chest.

On 1stDibs, shop a large selection of antique chests.
How do I identify an antique chest of drawers?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertNovember 4, 2024
To identify an antique chest of drawers, look inside and beneath drawers and on the back and bottom for any type of maker's marking. Researching these marks using trusted online resources may allow you to determine who produced your chest and roughly date your piece. If your chest is at least 100 years old, it is an antique. Should you be unable to locate the maker's marks, look at the hardware. Rose head nails, one-piece cast brass pommels on the drawer handles and circular rather than hexagonal bolts may all indicate that a piece is an antique. Keep in mind that hardware may have been replaced at some point and that there are many reproductions of antique furnishings. As a result, you may wish to have a certified appraiser or experienced antique dealer complete the identification process if you're unable to identify your chest via the maker's markings. Find a range of antique chests of drawers on 1stDibs.

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