The Dower Chest Of Saray  (Sarah) Hadfield 1680.

Sarah Hadfield married John Hopwood on the 8th January 1680 in Glossop Derbyshire,they were both from the village of Padfield which is near Hadfield the high peak district..

It is rare to find an item of furniture bearing the full name usually one only finds a set of initials and date .

So here it is a Derbyshire chest of joined construction ,the two plank top over a top rail with the inscription Saray 1680 Hadfield .

The front with three panels,each carved with a diamond lozenge with scrolls to each corner a design often seen on Derbyshire furniture,single panelled sides and a three panelled back the center panel which is carved with a leaf design,the panel is original to the chest i presume it was a mistake panel from a previous job and it still retains its original spandrels to the front.

A good deep Derbyshire colour with a good natural patina.

The lid has been cut to each end and so does not sit square , the hinges and lockplate are later period replacements which are probably the fourth set and there has been a repair to the bottom brace where it joins the leg.

24"High

45"Wide

19"Deep

A good solid chest with the start of the history stated ,so the challenge starts from now to continue the search to see how long she lived,how many children she had and of course the house name would be a bonus .

Good luck