Items Similar to Antique early 17th century rare German or Austrian Stollentruhe or trunk
Video Loading
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 22
Antique early 17th century rare German or Austrian Stollentruhe or trunk
$14,010.25
£10,459.60
€11,710
CA$19,300.13
A$21,175.92
CHF 11,154.46
MX$251,909.88
NOK 142,887.24
SEK 130,475.56
DKK 89,234.67
About the Item
This is an antique Stollentruhe (stile-and-panel chest) made of solid oak, originating from Southern Germany, most likely Bavaria, Upper Austria, or Tyrol, and dating to the early 17th century (circa 1600–1630). It is an early and exceptional example of the traditional stollen construction, recognizable by its tall, continuous corner stiles, heavy front panel, and strongly regional carved ornamentation.
The chest is fitted with an outstanding and completely original chest lock in early Gothic form, a feature that clearly reflects its considerable age. The ironwork is richly shaped with pierced and punched Gothic decorative elements and survives in remarkable condition for a piece of this era. Unusually — and highly desirable — the chest still retains its original key, a rarity for 17th-century storage chests.
Both front stiles are carved with Tree-of-Life motifs, a symbolic design used in the 16th and early 17th centuries as a protective emblem for the household and family. The left stile shows some natural weathering, fully consistent with the age, and harmonizes beautifully with the original patina. Along the lower edge, the chest features a hand-carved profiled apron, characteristic of early Alpine Baroque craftsmanship.
The color is a warm medium brown with a deep natural sheen and an authentically aged surface that reflects more than four centuries of use.
Historical Use
In the 16th and 17th centuries, Stollentruhen served as dowry chests, storage chests, and secure containers for valuable textiles, linens, documents, and family belongings. Their robust construction and substantial iron locks made them ideal for safeguarding household valuables. In many Alpine homes, such chests were placed in the main living room or Stube, where they often functioned both as storage and as seating.
This chest is an exceptionally early example, complete with its original key, rare Gothic lock, and deeply carved symbolic decoration. Given its age, origin, authenticity, and craftsmanship, it is a highly exclusive, museum-level piece carrying more than 400 years of history.
- Dimensions:Height: 33.08 in (84 cm)Width: 68.12 in (173 cm)Depth: 25.6 in (65 cm)
- Style:Gothic (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1615
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Casteren, NL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU970947790982
About the Seller
4.9
Platinum Seller
Premium sellers with a 4.7+ rating and 24-hour response times
Established in 1975
1stDibs seller since 2013
459 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: <1 hour
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Shipping from: Casteren, Netherlands
- Return Policy
More From This Seller
View AllSmall Antique Early 18th Century German Oak Paneled Trunk or Coffer
Located in Casteren, NL
This small table trunk was made in Germany in the early 18th century. Both front and lid have two flat recessed panels with molded trim. It has the original forged steel keyplate, lo...
Category
Antique Mid-18th Century German Blanket Chests
Materials
Steel
Antique early 18th century Dutch or German Solid blacked oak chest or trunk
Located in Casteren, NL
This is a blackened oak chest with paneled sides and richly carved geometric decoration across the front.
The piece was crafted in Northern Europe—likely the Low Countries or the Wes...
Category
Antique Early 18th Century Dutch Renaissance Blanket Chests
Materials
Oak
Antique late 17th century English honey color chest or trunk with rich carvings
Located in Casteren, NL
This antique oak chest, dating from the early 17th century, is a remarkable example of early European craftsmanship, combining strength with refined decorative detail. Made entirely ...
Category
Antique Late 17th Century Renaissance Blanket Chests
Materials
Oak
$7,370 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique 16th Century German Dark Brown oak carved Stollentruhe Trunk or Chest
Located in Casteren, NL
Rare and early German Stollentruhe, dating from around 1620. This compact 17th-century oak chest combines historical significance with visual prese...
Category
Antique Early 17th Century German Renaissance Blanket Chests
Materials
Steel
$8,853 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique 16th Century German Dark Brown oak carved Stollentruhe Trunk or Chest
Located in Casteren, NL
This impressive large Stollentruhe, also known as a Stollentroewe, is a large German storage chest crafted around 1580. Its distinctive construction, with massive upright corner post...
Category
Antique 16th Century German Medieval Blanket Chests
Materials
Steel
$11,007 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique early 18th century English warm brown chest or trunk with rich carvings
Located in Casteren, NL
This fine oak chest was crafted in England around 1700 and stands as a beautiful example of the solid yet stylish furniture of the period. The front is richly decorated with geometri...
Category
Antique Early 18th Century English Renaissance Blanket Chests
Materials
Oak
$5,742 Sale Price
20% Off
You May Also Like
Baroque Chest, 18th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Baroque chest from the early 18th century, crafted from oak. The front is richly carved with decorative motifs and structured with architectural niche elements. The handles and the l...
Category
Antique 18th Century German Baroque Blanket Chests
Materials
Iron
$1,914 / set
17th Century Chest
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
17th century chest, oak, opening on the top and door on the front door.
Measures: H: 78 cm, W: 144 cm, D: 63 cm.
Category
Antique 17th Century French Renaissance Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Wood
$4,606 Sale Price
30% Off
Chest or Stollentruhe, Early 16th Century, German Gothic, Oak Chest, Original
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
This standing chest is of clamp-front construction, extensively decorated with long, ironwork straps with quatrefoil finials which ‘wrap’ around it, and has an ornate, central lockplate, and front legs with full, height stiles. The ironwork straps and finials are fixed with convex, headed nails: running along the front, five long straps; the two side straps; and the five straps on the top. On the chest front, centrally placed, is a large, iron lockplate with four outer, radiating spade finals in each corner and three, superimposed spade finials (a symbol of nobility) which are pierced with the initials ‘BB’. The lockplate receives a corresponding, external hasp fitted to the lid. Below the floor of the chest, the two front stile legs retain most of their original height. The lid is supported by substantial iron strap hinges that extend right down the back of the chest. Inside the chest at the left end is a shallow, oak till.
Construction The chest is of joined, 'clamp-front' construction, reinforced by the nailed, iron mounts. In total it uses ten, oak boards which were riven and planed. The back and front are each formed from a large single plank held to the full height stiles by long, pegged tenons. The sides are also single boards joined into the stiles using long tenons held by dowels, and extend down below the chest bottom, concealing the ends of the bottom boards. The bottom consists of a single board cut into the sides and shallow rebates in the stiles. The front and back boards are dowelled into the bottom boards. The lid which overhangs the sides has a narrow cleat at each end, and consists of one wide plank which has bowed a little as a result of shrinkage.
Ironwork : The wrought ironwork straps, lockplate, hasp and lock all appear all appear to be early, and of the same original manufacture and are fixed with convex headed nails. There is mild dark staining of the oak around the iron mounts, possibly because of low tannin content in the oak.
Length 172 cm., 67 ¾ in., Height 71.5 cm., 28 ¼ in., Depth 63 cm., 24 ¾ in.,
Related to: No 900:2-1904 V&A Museum, London. Stadtmuseum Dusseldorf. Decorative Arts Museum Berlin. Museen Schleswig-Holstein & Hamburg. A related example featuring elaborately-carved feet and formerly in the Horsham Museum, West Sussex, sold at Christie's in 2010 for £97,250 and another example, again with carved feet sold at Sothebys in 2006 for £48,000.
Literature: A similar example is illustrated in H. Lüttgens, Alt- Aachener Wohnkultur; Ein Rundgang durch ein altes Aachener Haus im Wohnstil des 18. Jahrhunderts, Aachen, n.d., ill. 12, and another comparable iron-bound chests...
Category
Antique 16th Century German Gothic Blanket Chests
Materials
Oak
Continental Antique Baroque Style Trunk
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Continental baroque style oak trunk, circa early 19th century. With a single board rectangular overhanging top with molded front and side edges, the front with a central carved panel...
Category
Antique Early 19th Century European Baroque Blanket Chests
Materials
Oak
Rare and Important German Renaissance Chest
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Oakwood
Original lock and key
This beautiful and robust chest stands on square feet ending in flattened buns. The base presents plain mouldings. The facade is divided in four panel...
Category
Antique 16th Century German Renaissance Blanket Chests
Materials
Wood, Walnut
17th Century German Iron-Mounted Oak Chest / Trunk "Stollentruhe"
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
A 17th century German oak chest ("Stollentruhe") in the medieval/ Gothic tradition. The rectangular hinged top with three iron straps, enclosing a plain interior with one hinged smal...
Category
Antique 17th Century German Baroque Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Oak













