A marriage chest, also known as a hope chest or a dowry chest, is a large, ornate wooden chest that has traditionally been used in many cultures to store household items and personal belongings. In many cultures, the chest is given as a gift to a young woman in anticipation of her marriage, and is often filled with items such as linens, towels, clothing, and other household goods.

The practice of giving a marriage chest as a gift has a long history, dating back to ancient times. In many cultures, the chest was seen as a symbol of a woman's worth and her ability to manage a household. The chest was often decorated with intricate carvings or paintings and was considered a valuable possession in its own right.

In some cultures, the marriage chest was also used as a form of dowry, with the chest and its contents serving more...

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A George III oak mule chest, late 18th century, the 'Mule' or…

18th Century Oak Mule Chest with Original Brass Handles

A George III oak mule chest, late 18th century, the 'Mule' or marriage chest with a rich patina, the extended hinged top with moulded edges, above a facade with three fielded ogee panels above two half width drawers, with original brass swan neck handles…

An antique central Slovakian pine Marriage trunk, early 19th…

19th Century Slovakian Floral Painted Marriage Trunk

An antique central Slovakian pine Marriage trunk, early 19th century, Banka Stiavinca region, of rustic design in pale pine with a plank top, folkloric painted floral decorations to the face, with the original iron lock and key, and staple hinges and…

A George II style dower chest on stand, Dutch East Indies,…

George II Dower Chest on Stand, Dutch East Indies

A George II style dower chest on stand, Dutch East Indies, circa 1850 87.5 cm high, 99 cm wide, 44 cm deep

1880s Dowry chest Anglo Indian teak with iron Strapwork on…

Antique Anglo-Indian Dowry Chest with Iron Strapwork

1880s Dowry chest Anglo Indian teak with iron Strapwork on timber castors, height 75 cm, length 113 cm, depth 66 cm

A Continental dowry chest, hand painted leather with iron studs,…

18th Century Hand-Painted Leather Continental Dowry Chest

A Continental dowry chest, hand painted leather with iron studs, 18th century, 41 cm high, 88 cm wide, 48 cm deep

Large Antique Swiss 18th Century Marriage coffer / trunk of…

18th Century Swiss Marriage Coffer with Original Paint

Large Antique Swiss 18th Century Marriage coffer / trunk of large size, showing original paint work

A painted Romanian wedding chest, dated 1848. Height 49 cm,…

1848 Romanian Wedding Chest with Intricate Painted Design

A painted Romanian wedding chest, dated 1848. Height 49 cm, width 115 cm, depth 56.5 cm.

A large dowry storage chest on a wheeled base, carved with a…

Floral Dowry Chest with Wheels

A large dowry storage chest on a wheeled base, carved with a floral design, 20th century, the lid opening back & sectioned inside, 68 x 130 x 60 cm

A Nepalese painted marriage chest, 19th century, 70 cm high,…

Nepalese 19th Century Painted Marriage Chest

A Nepalese painted marriage chest, 19th century, 70 cm high, 134 cm wide, 51 cm deep

An unusual decorated marriage trunk, French, early 19th century.…

French 19th Century Decorated Marriage Trunk

An unusual decorated marriage trunk, French, early 19th century. 42 cm high, 80 cm wide, 44 cm deep

Antique painted Scandinavian dome topped marriage trunk.…

1859 Scandinavian Marriage Trunk with Key

Antique painted Scandinavian dome topped marriage trunk. Painted date 1859, with key

Afghan dowry chest incised with tribal designs beneath a hinged…

Tribal Afghan Dowry Chest

Afghan dowry chest incised with tribal designs beneath a hinged lid 53 x 79 x 37 cm

Afghan dowry chest incised with diamond designs beneath a…

Diamond Incised Afghan Dowry Chest

Afghan dowry chest incised with diamond designs beneath a hinged lid 44 x 66 x 40 cm

19th century Swat Valley dowry chest from North West Pakistan,…

Ornate Swat Valley Dowry Chest

19th century Swat Valley dowry chest from North West Pakistan, with slide out door and ornate carving to front, 97 cm wide, 53 cm deep, 87 cm high

19th century Swat Valley dowry chest from North West Pakistan,…

Ornate Swat Valley Dowry Chest

19th century Swat Valley dowry chest from North West Pakistan, with slide out door and ornate carving to front, 77 cm wide, 37.5 cm deep, 66 cm high

A rare carved walnut marriage coffer, Poggibonsi, Tuscany, 15th…

15th Century Tuscan Marriage Coffer in Walnut

A rare carved walnut marriage coffer, Poggibonsi, Tuscany, 15th century. 90 cm high, 100 cm wide, 56 cm deep. Provenance: Mossgreen Auctions, The Modern Decorator, 8 November 2005, Lot 100

A Spanish walnut and pine marriage chest, 18th century, the…

18th Century Spanish Marriage Chest with Carved Front

A Spanish walnut and pine marriage chest, 18th century, the rectangular plank top, the front carved with arches and pilasters flanked by stylised floral and foliage, on platform base resting on double scroll pad feet, 63.5 cm high, 140 cm wide, 55.5 cm…

Antique painted pine dome top marriage trunk, dated 1852, 69 cm,…

1852 Painted Pine Marriage Trunk with Dome Top

Antique painted pine dome top marriage trunk, dated 1852, 69 cm, 128 cm wide