Antique 19th Century Mule Chest Blanket Chest Dresser

Details

Description

This fantastic antique 19th Century mule chest is complete with its original drawer hardware and original sponge-paint “grain” decorated surface … Read more This fantastic antique 19th Century mule chest is complete with its original drawer hardware and original sponge-paint “grain” decorated surface and finish. The lid opens to reveal the storage chest on top and two spacious dovetail drawers underneath. The casters on the legs make this easy to move around if necessary. Its unique finish shows signs of age and use, but has so much character and patina.

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A primitive piece of history

“Blanket chests were very popular during the 17th, 18th, and 19th Centuries. Over the years, drawers were added to the basic form, increasing the height, and gradually, a different piece of furniture evolved called the mule chest. The lower drawers in the mule chest were used to store slippers called "mules" by the colonists.”

“The best grain painted furniture was made in Vermont where the new communities had a taste for high fashion but limited means to access it. Vermont became more heavily settled in the early 19th century and while Mahogany did make its way to the Green Mountain state it was more costly from trading hands multiple times and the families didn't have as much wealth as those in major cities.” See less