A fine French Gothic walnut chest front, 15th century, with a period lock and key.
 
Height 20", width 49", depth 1.5".
 
Condition: Warping to panel, wear to corners.  Lock is of the period, but not original to the chest.
 
Over the centuries, the fronts of early chests with decorative carvings were often saved when the rest of the chest may have fallen into disrepair and was descarded.
 
Suggested uses:  Antique chest fronts can make a striking accent piece for a room.  They may be used as an overmantel, a footboard or headboard to a bed (attached to the wall or to the bed frame), or simply as artwork attached to a wall.