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A Marriage Chest From The Towy Valley

As chest of drawers and linen presses progressively replaced coffers as the receptacle for clothing, they also became the chief dowry item.

This chest-on-chest is of typical Carmarthenshire design, and bears many exceptional features including an elaborately retted swan neck pediment and shaped and carved feet. This style of inlaid decoration was a particular feature of the area, and the central drawer bears the initials of Jane Thomas of Dyfadfan Uchaf of Gwynfe. She was born in 1796 but died before her marriage and, by family repute the first initial was changed to that of her younger sister Hannah, with whose descendants it remained until this year.

44.25" wide, 22" deep, 83.5" high
112 cms wide, 56 cms deep, 212 cms high

This item is featured in: "Welsh Furniture 1250-1950"

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© 2008 Richard Bebb
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