James I oak joined chest of unusual proportions. The case configured with atypically short panels (only nine-inches high) to accommodate massive, six-inch high upper rails carved with a sequence of deep gouged arcades (nulling) around the front and sides. The appearance of such heavy framing members on a chest of compact dimensions represents a rarified and extremely eccentric departure from the normative practices of early seventeenth-century English joiners.

Deeply patinated reddish brown surface, with dry and undisturbed interior.

Hinges replaced; repair to underside of joined lid; lid of till lost.