keine - Casket - Oak

Historical wooden casket / valuables safe

Germany, probably Franconia / Northern Bavaria, circa 1760–1850

Rectangular, solid hardwood jewelry box (likely oak or walnut) with its original dark patina. The casket is handcrafted and shows clear signs of wear, evidencing its long use and age.

The lid is flat‑finished and features an inlaid, profiled wooden panel. Inside there is a fold-out wooden insert, also solidly constructed. The construction is entirely in traditional craftsmanship without industrial elements.

The fittings are made from hand-forged iron. Particularly noteworthy are the characteristic arrow-shaped band hinges on the inner lid, as they were widespread in the southern and central German-speaking regions in the late 18th century. The chest is equipped with a classic warded lock; the brass key escutcheon is hand-worked and shows no serial stamping.

The joints of the wooden parts are, among other things, made with hand-forged nails, a strong indication of its origin before industrialization. Wire nails or machine-made parts are not present.

The case was presumably used as a money, jewelry, or document box in a bourgeois household or official setting.

state
Original condition with age-related signs of use, patina, wear, and small imperfections. No modern alterations detectable.

Dating: ca. 1760–1850
Origin: Germany, probably Franconia / Northern Bavaria