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Dower Chests

Red Painted Dower Chest, circa 1800
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Nice painted pine OG bracket foot dower chest or blanket chest with original red paint. Two nice
Category

Antique Early 1800s American Blanket Chests

Materials

Pine

Red Painted Dower Chest, circa 1800
Red Painted Dower Chest, circa 1800
H 28.5 in W 49 in D 22 in
19thc Blanket Chest ( Dower Chest ) With Two Drawers Below
Located in Los Angeles, CA
drawers. All original hardware & drawer pulls.Yhis fine dower chest was found in Berks County,Pennsylvania.
Category

Antique 19th Century American Adirondack Blanket Chests

Materials

Wood

Delaware Valley Black Walnut Dower Chest, 1830
Located in Kenilworth, IL
American black walnut dower chest over three divided drawers. The chest features post and panel
Category

Antique 1830s American Trunks and Luggage

Materials

Iron

Pennsylvania Dower Chest with drawers and tombstone panels
Located in Lancaster, PA
This dower chest is made of pine and poplar with the original painted finish. The pine case is
Category

Antique Late 18th Century American Antiquities

Materials

Pine, Poplar

Dauphin County Pennsylvania Paint Decorated Dower Chest Made for Madlen Nafzer
Located in York County, PA
Dauphin County, Pennsylvania Paint-Decorated Dower Chest, Made for Madlen Nafzer in 1808 This
Category

Antique Early 19th Century American Painted Furniture

Materials

Wood

Early 18th Century Antique Carved Oak Marriage or Dowry Chest, Dated 1735
Located in Miami, FL
A period 18th century flat top Danish Baroque dower chest or trunk in carved oak decorated with
Category

Antique 1730s Danish Baroque Blanket Chests

Materials

Oak

Pennsylvania Walnut Country Blanket Chest with 3 Drawers
Located in Milford, NH
A fine example of a country walnut country blanket or dower chest with three fitted drawers, an
Category

Antique Early 19th Century American Blanket Chests

Materials

Wrought Iron

Recent Sales

Pennsylvania Polychrome-Painted Poplar Dower Chest
Located in New Hope, PA
An exceptional Pennsylvania polychrome-painted dower, or blanket, chest inscribed in German and
Category

Antique 1780s American Folk Art Painted Furniture

Materials

Iron

Centre County Pennsylvania Painted Poplar Dower Chest
Located in New Hope, PA
This dower chest is one of a small group of painted poplar chests by an unknown artist working in
Category

Antique 1820s American Folk Art Painted Furniture

Materials

Poplar

Paint Decorated Dower Chest Dauphin County Pennsylvania
Located in Allentown, PA
illustrated in M. Fabian's book, The Pennsylvania German Dower Chest.
Category

Antique Early 1800s American American Colonial Painted Furniture

Materials

Pine

Antique Handsome Oak Dower Chest or Coffer, circa 1900
Located in Glencarse, GB
A handsome oak dower chest. Beautifully carved with poly-chrome decoration and brass studs. The
Category

Antique 19th Century European Arts and Crafts Dressers

Miniature Smoke-Decorated Blanket/Dower Chest
Located in Columbus, OH
A Miniature Smoke-Decorated Blanket/Dower Chest Pennsylvania, 19th Century 8
Category

Antique 19th Century American Models and Miniatures

Materials

Brass

19th Century Oak Dower Chest
Located in Glencarse, Perthshire
with superbly carved frontage depicting a knight on the left capital and a finely carved lady on the opposite side. The central cupboard door depicting Christ as a child held in the ...
Category

Antique Early 1900s European Cabinets

Materials

Oak

19th Century Oak Dower Chest
19th Century Oak Dower Chest
H 31.5 in W 79 in D 25.5 in
Painted and Stencil Decorated Blanket Chest
Located in Columbus, OH
blanket and dower chests made throughout the state. The warm yellow ground and bold red-stencil decoration
Category

Antique 19th Century Blanket Chests

Materials

Pine

Painted and Stencil Decorated Blanket Chest
Painted and Stencil Decorated Blanket Chest
H 25 in W 44.25 in D 21.25 in
Paint Decorated “Unicorn” Blanket Chest
Located in Columbus, OH
discussion on the decoration and iconography of Pennsylvania-German blanket and dower chests, see Scott T
Category

Antique 18th Century and Earlier Blanket Chests

Materials

Pine, Poplar, Paint

18th Century Oak Mule Chest
Located in Newcastle Upon Tyne, GB
An 18th century George II oak mule or dower chest. The chest has a hinged lid, three recessed
Category

Antique Mid-18th Century English Commodes and Chests of Drawers

18th Century Oak Mule Chest
18th Century Oak Mule Chest
H 32 in W 49.6 in D 21.3 in
Red-Painted and Polychrome-Decorated Panelled Blanket Chest
Located in New Hope, PA
), p. 97; McGee, “Dower Chests,” The Magazine Antiques (June 1985), pp. 50, 99; America Hurrah and
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century American Folk Art Painted Furniture

Materials

Maple, Poplar, Paint

Spectacular Maryland Desk and Bookcase
Located in New York, NY
less contemporaneous in date with the Beachtel family dower chests, and has a history in Libertytown
Category

Antique 18th Century and Earlier American Bookcases

Materials

Cherry, Poplar

Dower Chest
Located in Baltimore, MD
A strikingly beautiful dower chest in original paint with three faux panels to the front, the
Category

Antique 19th Century Hungarian Blanket Chests

Dower Chest
Dower Chest
H 22 in W 49 in D 24 in
19THC EARLY ORIGINAL PAINTED DOWER CHEST
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19THC ORIGINAL PAINTED DOWER CHEST WITH OGEE FEET-GREAT ORIGINAL PAINT DECORATION /WEAR TO THE
Category

Antique 19th Century European Trunks and Luggage

Materials

Wood

18th century hand carved dower chest
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A beautiful hand carved dower chest in Moravian style. All original hardware, "hand forged handles
Category

Antique 18th Century and Earlier Unknown Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Poplar

18th century hand carved dower chest
18th century hand carved dower chest
H 21 in W 64 in D 22.5 in
Early 19th Century Berks County, Pennsylvania Painted Dower Chest
Located in Milford, NH
Berks County, PA painted dower chest, circa 1801. Retaining a vibrant decorated surface with tulips
Category

Antique 19th Century American Blanket Chests

Materials

Iron, Brass

18THC DOWER CHEST FROM BERKS COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA
Located in Los Angeles, CA
18THC DOWER CHEST FROM BERKS COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA GREAT ORIGINAL SURFACE PAINT. AND PATINA -ALL
Category

Antique 18th Century and Earlier American Trunks and Luggage

Materials

Pine

18th Century Polychrome Decorated Tulipwood Dower Chest
Located in Milford, NH
An exceptional polychrome paint decorated tulipwood dower chest with stylized arches in red, black
Category

Antique 18th Century American Blanket Chests

Materials

Tulipwood

Painted Dower Chest
Located in Baltimore, MD
An outstanding mid-century blanket chest, the polychrome decorative paint, dedicated and dated in
Category

Antique 19th Century Hungarian Blanket Chests

Materials

Pine

Painted Dower Chest
Painted Dower Chest
H 22 in W 47 in D 25 in
19THC ORIGINAL BLUE PAINTED DOWER CHEST FROM PENNSYLVANIA.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19THC ALL ORIGINAL BLUE PAINTED DOWER CHEST FROM CENTRE PENNSYLVANIA.DOVETAIL CASE AND SQUARE NAIL
Category

Antique 19th Century American Trunks and Luggage

Rare Pennsylvania Red Paint Decorated Hearts Dower Chest /1795
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This fantastic & early original red with mustard decorated hearts dower chest from Lancaster County
Category

Antique 18th Century and Earlier American Painted Furniture

Materials

Pine

Original Paint Decorated Pennsylvania Pine Blanket Dower Chest, Dated 1789
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This original Pennsylvania blanket chest is dated and signed 1789 and was even sold by another
Category

Antique 1780s American Primitive Blanket Chests

Materials

Pine

Pine Painted Blanket Chest
Located in Baltimore, MD
An outstanding example of nineteenth century German folk art, this beautiful dower chest features
Category

Antique 19th Century German Blanket Chests

Materials

Paint, Pine

Pine Painted Blanket Chest
Pine Painted Blanket Chest
H 21 in W 48.5 in D 23 in
Oriental Folk Art Painted Chest or Coffer
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
probably a marriage or dower chest The chest is made in wood and is sound and in good condition The chest
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Chinoiserie Blanket Chests

Painted Pine Trunk
Located in Baltimore, MD
A small pine dower chest in a very interesting polychrome paint design of stylised flowers and bows
Category

Antique 19th Century Hungarian Blanket Chests

Painted Pine Trunk
Painted Pine Trunk
H 18 in W 37 in D 21 in
European Folk Art Painted Pine Chest
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
is probably a marriage or dower chest and 1887 is the wedding date, the top is made from 2 planks and
Category

Antique Late 19th Century European Folk Art Blanket Chests

Pine Trunk or Blanket Chest in Original Decorative Paint, Dated 1846
Located in Baltimore, MD
This lovely little German baroque dower chest has a lot going on. The front is absolutely beautiful
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Hungarian Baroque Blanket Chests

Materials

Pine

Pennsylvania German Painted and Decorated Chest over Three Drawers
Located in Baltimore, MD
This is a handsome and notable Pennsylvania German painted and decorated dower chest, probably from
Category

Antique Late 18th Century American Folk Art Blanket Chests

Materials

Pine

Mule Chest
Located in Baltimore, MD
An outstanding example of a tall dower mule chest featuring original sang de boeuf/brown background
Category

Antique 19th Century Hungarian Blanket Chests

Materials

Pine

Mule Chest
Mule Chest
H 39 in W 48 in D 27 in
18THC ALL ORIGINAL PAINT DECORATED BLANKET CHEST FROM PENNA.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
WONDERFUL AND RARE 18THC ORIGINAL FEATHER PATTERNED, PAINT DECORATED DOWER OR BLANKET CHEST FROM
Category

Antique 18th Century and Earlier American Trunks and Luggage

Pine Painted Dower Chest
Located in Baltimore, MD
An outstanding faux mule chest featuring a black ground with hand-carved pattern and original
Category

Antique 19th Century Hungarian Blanket Chests

Materials

Pine

Pine Painted Dower Chest
Pine Painted Dower Chest
H 24 in W 42 in D 24 in
Pine Painted Dower Chest
Located in Baltimore, MD
A beautiful marriage piece featuring a black ground with original polychrome folk art motifs including vases of flowers and stylised dove with the initials of the bride, R.D., and th...
Category

Early 20th Century Hungarian Blanket Chests

Materials

Pine

Pine Painted Dower Chest
Pine Painted Dower Chest
H 18 in W 45 in D 22 in
Pine Early Paint Decorated Dower Chest
Located in West Chester, PA
Dated 1769, this dower chest is one of the earliest known. Made more exceptional by the existence
Category

Antique 18th Century and Earlier Blanket Chests

Pine Early Paint Decorated Dower Chest
Pine Early Paint Decorated Dower Chest
H 28.75 in W 51.125 in D 23.125 in
Cherry Dower's Chest
Located in Sheffield, MA
Dower's chest, cherry, yellow pine secondary wood, three drawers, beautiful rich old finish
Category

Antique 18th Century and Earlier American Blanket Chests

Cherry Dower's Chest
Cherry Dower's Chest
H 27 in W 53 in D 23 in
English Oak Dower Chest
Located in Wainscott, NY
18th Century Oak English Dower Chest, Excellent Patina
Category

Antique 18th Century and Earlier English Commodes and Chests of Drawers

English Oak Dower Chest
English Oak Dower Chest
H 30.25 in W 51.5 in D 20.5 in
Pennsylvania Dower Chest
Located in Hudson, NY
pennsylvania dower chest stepped chippendale bracket base three drawers in a
Category

Antique 18th Century and Earlier American Painted Furniture

Materials

Metal

Pennsylvania Dower Chest
Pennsylvania Dower Chest
H 29.5 in W 51.5 in D 23.5 in
Paint Decorated Dower Chest
By Markreda Conradin
Located in Litchfield, CT
. Fabian's book, The Pennsylvania German Dower chest.
Category

Antique Early 1800s American Blanket Chests

Materials

Poplar

Paint Decorated Dower Chest
H 23.5 in W 51 in D 24 in
Early 18th Century Irish Dower Chest
Located in Peterborough, Northamptonshire
A fine Irish early 18th century walnut dower chest, the front panel with elaborate and beautifully
Category

Antique 18th Century and Earlier British Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Early 18th Century Irish Dower Chest
Early 18th Century Irish Dower Chest
H 37.5 in W 47 in D 23.5 in
Early 18th Century Carved Oak Dower Chest
Located in Witney, OXFORDSHIRE
A good early 18th century carved oak dower chest, the oblong hinged top enclosing a lidded candle
Category

Antique 1710s British Queen Anne Blanket Chests

Materials

Oak

Early 18th Century Carved Oak Dower Chest
Early 18th Century Carved Oak Dower Chest
H 28.5 in W 48.5 in D 22.75 in
Charles II Period Oak Dower Chest of Good Size
Located in Peterborough, Northamptonshire
A very well carved Charles II period oak dower chest of good size. The sharply incised carving with
Category

Antique Late 17th Century English Charles II Blanket Chests

Materials

Oak

Paint Decorated Blanket or Dower Chest
Located in Sheffield, MA
Chippendale paint decorated blanket or dower chest. The chest retains its original yellow paint
Category

Antique 19th Century American Chippendale Painted Furniture

Dower Chest
Located in Columbus, OH
This handsome Pennsylvania chest over drawers sports elaborate tulip and heart decorations, typical
Category

Antique 18th Century and Earlier Blanket Chests

Materials

Pine, Poplar

Dower Chest
Dower Chest
H 28 in W 47.75 in D 21.75 in
Oak and Mahogany George III Period Cross Banded Dower Chest
Located in Darwen, GB
An oak and mahogany George III period cross banded dower chest. Having a rectangular solid oak top
Category

Antique Early 1800s George III Blanket Chests

Oak George III Period Lancashire Mule/Dower Chest
Located in Darwen, GB
An oak George III Period Lancashire mule/dower chest. The three plank oak hinged top opening to
Category

Antique 1780s George III Commodes and Chests of Drawers

19th Century Dutch Dower Chest
Located in Savannah, GA
Very large mahogany chest with heavy brass handles, hardware and original key.
Category

Antique 19th Century Dutch Blanket Chests

19th Century Dutch Dower Chest
19th Century Dutch Dower Chest
H 36 in W 65 in D 28 in

People Also Browsed

18th Century New England Country American Single Drawer Blanket Mule Chest
Located in Forney, TX
A scarce antique early American country single drawer lift-top faux grain painted blanket chest - mule chest with beautifully aged warm rich patina, circa 1780 Hand-crafted in the N...
Category

Antique 18th Century American Chippendale Blanket Chests

Materials

Brass

Schoharie County, New York State Blanket Chest
Located in York County, PA
Painted Schoharie County, New York blanket chest, decorated with a beautifully embellished yellow urn of flowers on a blue ground. This is traditional fashion of the region, in which...
Category

Antique 1820s American Painted Furniture

Materials

Wood

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Dower Chests For Sale on 1stDibs

At 1stDibs, there are several options of dower chests available for sale. The range of distinct dower chests — often made from wood, pine and softwood — can elevate any home. There are all kinds of dower chests available, from those produced as long ago as the 18th Century to those made as recently as the 20th Century. Dower chests made by Folk Art designers — are very popular at 1stDibs.

How Much are Dower Chests?

Dower chests can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price at 1stDibs is $3,500, while the lowest priced sells for $1,295 and the highest can go for as much as $25,000.

Finding the Right Case Pieces And Storage Cabinets for You

Of all the vintage storage cabinets and antique case pieces that have become popular in modern interiors over the years, dressers, credenzas and cabinets have long been home staples, perfect for routine storage or protection of personal items. 

In the mid-19th century, cabinetmakers would mimic styles originating in the Louis XIV, Louis XV and Louis XVI eras for their dressers, bookshelves and other structures, and, later, simpler, streamlined wood designs allowed these “case pieces” or “case goods” — any furnishing that is unupholstered and has some semblance of a storage component — to blend into the background of any interior. 

Mid-century modern furniture enthusiasts will cite the tall modular wall units crafted in teak and other sought-after woods of the era by the likes of George Nelson, Poul Cadovius and Finn Juhl. For these highly customizable furnishings, designers of the day delivered an alternative to big, heavy bookcases by considering the use of space — and, in particular, walls — in new and innovative ways. Mid-century modern credenzas, which, long and low, evolved from tables that were built as early as the 14th century in Italy, typically have no legs or very short legs and have grown in popularity as an alluring storage option over time. 

Although the name immediately invokes images of clothing, dressers were initially created in Europe for a much different purpose. This furnishing was initially a flat-surfaced, low-profile side table equipped with a few drawers — a common fixture used to dress and prepare meats in English kitchens throughout the Tudor period. The drawers served as perfect utensil storage. It wasn’t until the design made its way to North America that it became enlarged and equipped with enough space to hold clothing and cosmetics. The very history of case pieces is a testament to their versatility and well-earned place in any room. 

In the spirit of positioning your case goods center stage, decluttering can now be design-minded.

A contemporary case piece with open shelving and painted wood details can prove functional as a storage unit as easily as it can a room divider. Alternatively, apothecary cabinets are charming case goods similar in size to early dressers or commodes but with uniquely sized shelving and (often numerous) drawers.

Whether you’re seeking a playful sideboard that features colored glass and metal details, an antique Italian hand-carved storage cabinet or a glass-door vitrine to store and show off your collectibles, there are options for you on 1stDibs.

Questions About Dower Chests
  • 1stDibs ExpertOctober 19, 2021
    A dower chest — also called a dowry chest or hope chest — is a Pennsylvania Dutch chest, a piece of furniture traditionally used by young women to store items in anticipation of married life. Find a collection of antique and vintage dowry chests on 1stDibs.

Read More

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