Q: I found an old child-sized coffin in an antique store in Nebraska. It has an oval glass window for viewing and a cover to go over the glass portion. It is made of a dark finished walnut with simple gold painted designs. I bought it just because I’ve never seen such a thing. It is about 33 inches long. Does anyone know anything about these?
A: Before the late 19th century, many children died of diseases that have been nearly eradicated. Funeral services were usually held at home in the front parlor. The body was laid out in an open coffin or in a coffin with a viewing window or split top. The coffin cover was used to protect the window when the coffin was moved or buried. Your coffin is narrow at the bottom, the typical shape used in the past. Coffins are not usually part of collections, but sometimes people think of a new use for an old item. One of the strangest we’ve seen is a child’s coffin made into a new wall clock. The auction house offering it for sale called it “a great conversation starter” and it sold for about $350.
I have one of these. Just fund it at a garage sale. It looks a lot like this one pictured but mine had some trim on top of it with brass (I assume)embellishments. Mine also has heavy silver handles with 3 oval interlocking rings and a torch engraved/printed maybe pressed in, on each handle. The finish is wore on mine and mine measures ~ 52″ long. I am looking for somebody that could appraise it. Locally or by pictures.
We had one of these many years ago in our antique mall; it had obviously been used as the interior was very worn. We were told that many areas did not have someone to prepare coffins for viewing so traveling mortuaries would provide the coffin; the body would be removed after the viewing and placed in a pine box or, more commonly, was wrapped for burial. The coffin was then put back in stock and used for the next viewing. Only the more affluent could actually aford to bury such an expensive coffin. The one we had sold to a mortuary museum for about $400.00.
I might be interested in selling, but $350 is not going to get it. Make me an offer!
This is a beautifully preserved child’s coffin. I would be very interested too.
I believe this small sized coffin might just be Salesman’s sample and not for purchase in the 19th century.
I would be interested in buying this if it’s for sale.