BUILDING AND FITTING THE FRAME

 Cutting the frame for a 17th‑century joined chest is a straightforward sequence of preparing the oak stock, laying out the joinery, and fitting each mortise‑and‑tenon so the structure locks together cleanly. The riven oak rails and stiles are first planed to dimension, then each stile is marked and chopped with deep, straight mortises sized to receive the rails. The rails are cut with matching tenons—shoulders sawn square, cheeks pared to a tight fit—so they slide into the mortises without twisting. Once the joints fit properly, the frame is assembled and pinned with drawbored oak pegs, which pull the tenon firmly into the mortise and hold the structure rigid without glue. Accurate cutting and careful fitting at this stage ensure the frame is square, strong, and ready to receive the carved panels.