Antique Chest Of Drawers

VICTORIAN, EDWARDIAN FURNITURE, A Victorian rosewood Canterbury, A Victorian rosewood pedestal Table, Dwarf Bookcase

A George Ill-style mahogany four-poster Bed, circa 1900, with key pattern cornice and damask-lined canopy, with twin receded baluster pillars and damask drapes, the box-spring

base with a feather mattress, on square lock feet and castors, 142cm. wide; 4ft. 8in.

A George Ill-style mahogany kneehole Dressing Table, made-up, with brass carrying handles and three frieze drawers, the arched kneehole flanked by two drawers and a pair of

cupboards simulating drawers, on shaped bracket feet, 84cm. wide; 2ft. 9in.    ?150-250

A pair of Victorian walnut and they wood corner Display Cabinets, circa 1855, formerly part of a side cabinet, with ormolu mounts an inlaid with stringing and arabesques, the

bowed glazed door enclosing a velvet-lined and shelved interior flanked by four baluster turned and fluted Corinthian pillars, on a plinth base and turned feet, altered, one

cabinet with cracked glazed panel, 89cm. high by 80cm. wide; 2ft. 11m. by 2ft.

A George Ill-style mahogany
serpentine-fronted Chest, circa 1900,
with kingwood banding and satinwood
stringing, the four long graduated
drawers flanked by canted corners, on
shaped bracket feet, together with a
plate glass top, 81cm. high by 102cm. wide;
2ft. 8in. by 3ft. 4in.

A George Ill-style mahogany
framed shield-shaped Toilet Mirror,
circa 1900, the serpentine-front plinth
with three drawers and canted blind-fret
corners, on ogee bracket feet, restored,
61cm. wide; 3ft.

A George Ill-style satinwood and
painted Armchair, circa 1900, with
caned back and arms, the bowed cane
seat with a cushion, the ring turned legs
ending in brass capping and castors.

A Victorian rosewood
Canterbury, circa 1870, in the manner of
Edwards & Roberts, inlaid with satinwood
stringing, the open tier above a recess
with mirror back and scroll carved
terminals, below is a fall-front paneled
door inlaid with vase and fruit within
arabesques and pattered, the interior with
three shelves, the gadrooned turned feet
ending in ceramic castors, 97cm. high by
65cm. wide; 3ft. 2m. by 2ft.

A George Ill-style stained beech
and upholstered Armchair, made-up, in
the French Hippie white manner, the stuffed back, padded arms and bowed seat covered in blue striped fabric, on baluster turned and fluted legs.

A George Ill-style mahogany
Armchair, made-up, the leaf carved
cresting rail above a pierced and
interlaced vase-shaped splat, the slip-in
seat with gadrooned apron, the acanthus
carved cabriole legs ending in claw and
ball feet.

A Victorian rosewood pedestal
Table, circa 1840, the circular tilt-top
with a den tilled border, the gadrooned
and jeweled baluster pillar above a
carved tripod base, on claw feet and
concealed castors, faults, 135cm 4ft. 5in.
A set of twenty-eight Victorian oak rail-back Chairs, circa 1860, the stuffed leather cloth seats above an apron with quart form and lancet motifs, on ring turned tapering legs

.

A George Il-style mahogany and parcel-gilt framed Wall Mirror, modern, the acanthus scroll pediment with an eagle, the rectangular plate above a scroll apron, 91.5cm. high by

91.5cm. wide; 3ft. by 3ft.

A George Ill-style mahogany ‘D’-end twin-pedestal Table, made-up, extending with two leaf insertions and with two rail bearers, the baluster turned
pillars above tripod supports ending in rasps capping and castors, 100 by 221cm. fully extended; 3ft. 3V2in. by 7ft. 3in.

A set of six George Ill-style
satinwood Chairs, circa 1900, with
ebonized-strung borders, the shield backs
with pierced vase-shaped splats and lotus
carved surmounts, the stuffed bowed
seats covered in gold damask, on tapered
square legs and spade feet.

A George Ill-style mahogany
Dwarf Bookcase, circa 1910, with a
pierced brass gallery and satinwood
banding, the three open shelves above
tapered square feet, 92cm. high by 53cm.
wide; 3ft. by  9in.

A set of six George Ill-style carved mahogany Chairs, circa 1910, the acanthus carved cresting rails above pierced and interlaced vase-shaped splats, the individual slip-in

seats with carved cabriole legs, on claw and ball feet, bearing trade label of Graham and Banks, 445 Oxford Street, London .

A set of eight George Ill-style
mahogany Chairs, modern, including
two armchairs, the scroll and foliate
carved cresting rails above pierced
vase-shaped splats, the slip-in seats
covered in rose-pink fabric, the carved
cabriole legs ending in claw and ball feet.

A set of six George II-style
mahogany Chairs, circa 1910, the scroll
cresting rails with a receded medallion
surmount above a pierced and interlaced
vase-shaped splat, the slip-in seats
covered in pale-green damask, the
cabriole legs ending in claw and ball feet.

A set of four Queen Anne-style
walnut Chairs, circa 1900, the drapery
carved cresting rail above a solid
vase-shaped splat, with a slip-in seat, the
cabriole legs joined by a turned
‘H’-shaped stretcher, on pad feet .

A set of six George Ill-style
mahogany Chairs, circa 1900, including
two armchairs, the carved backs with
splats, the seats covered in gold brocade, the chamfered tapered square legs joined by stretchers.

A set of eight George Ill-style
mahogany Chairs, circa 1910, including
two armchairs, the carved backs with
arched cresting rails, the pierced
vase-shaped splats surmounted by a
cartouche, the slip-in seats covered in
distressed hide, the acanthus carved
cabriole legs ending in claw and ball feet.

A George II-style carved
mahogany and upholstered Library
Armchair, circa 1900, the arched back,
padded arms and stuffed seat covered in
needlework, with grotesque mask
arm-facings, the acanthus carved and
scroll apron with masks and scallop-shell
motifs, on cabriole legs and claw feet.

A William and Mary small oak Refectory Table, Charles II oak Chairs, A Charles II oak Joint Stool, A 17th Century-style draw-leaf Refectory Table

A William and Mary small oak Refectory Table, circa 1690, the associated detachable top above square baluster turned legs joined by peripheral stretchers, altered and restored,

4 by 140cm.; 2ft. 5in. by 4ft. 7in.

A Queen Anne oak Bureau, circa 1710, the later top above a fall enclosing a stepped and fitted interior with a well, below are two short and two long drawers, on later shaped

bracket feet, 97cm. high by 83cm. wide; 3ft. 2in. by
2ft. 82in.

A William and Mary-style beech
Armchair, made-up, with pierced scroll
cresting rail and cane splat, the cane seat
with a floral cushion, the square and
turned legs joined by stretchers.

A George IV ash and elm
spindle-back child’s Armchair, circa
1825, with projecting wings and stuffed
seat, the turned legs joined by stretchers.

A George II child’s oak Mule
Chest, circa 1740, with hinged cover, the
E plinth base with two drawers, on shaped
racket feet, one drawer with distressed
floor, 44cm. high by 70cm. wide;

A set of four Charles II oak
Chairs, circa 1680, the later carved backs
with fielded rectangular panels, the solid
seats above square and turned legs
joined by stretchers, cresting rail faults

A William and Mary oak oval
Gate leg Table, circa 1690, the shaped
apron with a drawer, the square and
turned legs joined by stretchers, on
knurled feet, 90 by 98cm.; 2ft. by
3ft. 22in.

A Queen Anne walnut Stool,
made-up, the rectangular stuffed seat
covered in rose-pink dragon, on cabriole
legs and pad feet, 51cm. wide;  8in.

A Charles II child’s oak boarded
Chest, circa 1680, with steel escutcheon
and hasp, 70cm. wide; 2ft.

A Charles II oak Joint Stool, circa
1680, the square and turned legs joined
by stretchers, 46cm. wide;  6in.;
together with a Charles II-style oak Joint
Stool, made-up, the square and baluster
turned legs joined by stretchers, 43cm.
wide;  5in.

A Commonwealth oak Press
Cupboard, circa 1650, with projecting
carved frieze and turned pendants,
above a pair of doors and carved panel,
below are two drawers and a pair of
multi-paneled doors, on stem feet,
altered and restored, 183cm. high by 142cm.
wide; 5ft. 4in. by 4ft. 8in.

A 17th Century-style draw-leaf
Refectory Table, made-up, the bulbous
turned legs joined by
stretcher, on bun feet, 86cm. by z62cm.
fully extended; 2ft.  by 8ft. 7in.

A Charles II oak Coffer, circa 1680, the later hinged top above a carved front, with tipple panels and stem feet, 120cm. wide; 3ft.

A Charles II oak Coffer, circa 1680, with lunette carved frieze above triple panels and lozenge motifs, on stem feet, restored, 114cm. wide; 3ft. 9in.

A 17th Century-style carved oak Press Cupboard, made-up, the upper section with hinged cover and four paneled doors, below are a larger pair of multi-paneled doors, 168cm. high,

by 170cm. wide; 5ft. 6in. by 5ft. 7in.

A George III oak Bureau, circa
1770, the cleared fall revealing a later
fitted interior, below are two snort and
three long graduated drawers, on later
shaped bracket feet, 109cm. high by 92cm.
wide; 3ft. 7in. by 3ft.

A Charles II oak Coffer, circa 1680, with guilloche carved frieze and terminals, the hinged and paneled cover above a triple-paneled front, 133cm. wide; 4ft. 4m.

An Italian 17th Century-style carved walnut Armchair, circa 1880, the paneled back with heraldic cresting, the splat carved with arabesques and plaque titled Siena, the

guilloche scroll arms above a solid seat, the turned and fluted tapering legs joined by an ‘H’-shaped stretcher.

Crest reputed to be that of the Duke of Orson

A Charles II oak Joint Stool, circa
1680, with scroll apron, the square and
turned legs joined by stretchers.

A Queen Anne walnut
Escritoire-on-Chest, circa 1710, inlaid
with feather-banding, the cushion frieze
drawer above the fail with segmented
veneers, revealing an inset and an
arrangement of drawers and
pigeonholes surrounding a cupboard,
below are two short and two long
drawers, on later bun feet, 165cm. high by
94cm. wide; 5ft. 5in. by 3ft.

A George III provincial oak Press, Queen Anne oak Chest-on-Stand, William and Mary oak Mule Chest, George I oak Blanket Chest

A William and Mary oak
rectangular Gate leg Table, circa 1690,
with two frieze drawers, the square and
baluster turned legs joined by stretchers,
102 by 130cm. extended; 3ft. 4in. by
4ft. 3m.

A Charles II oak and elm Cabinet,
made-up, with hinged cover and
twin-panel front, below is an apron
drawer, on stem feet with under tier,
96cm. high by 96cm. wide; 3ft. 2in. by
3ft. 2m.

A Queen Anne oak Chest-on-Stand, circa 1710, the molded cornice above a cushion frieze drawer, with two short and three long graduated drawers, the stand with three drawers and

an arcaded apron, on square cabriole legs, formerly with stretchers, restored, 152cm. high by 99cm. wide; 5ft. by 3ft. 3in.

A French provincial mahogany
Dough Bin, circa 1760, the serpentine-
fronted hinged cover above a tapering
body, the combined stand with a foliate
carved apron with matching stretchers,
the square and baluster turned supports
on scroll feet, 88cm. high by 130cm. wide;
A George II small oak Chest, circa 1750, with two short and three long graduated drawers, on shaped bracket feet, restored, 84cm. high by 90cm. wide; 2ft. 9in. by 2ft. 11 Van.

A William and Mary small oak Chest, circa 1690, with two short and two long cross banded drawers, on later shaped bracket feet, formerly the upper section of a chest-on-stand,

restored, 80cm. high by 83cm. wide; 2ft.

A William and Mary oak Mule Chest, circa 1700, with hinged cover and four-panel front, the two apron drawers with mitered moldings, on stem feet, 130cm. wide; 4ft. 3in.

A George II primitive ash comb-back Chair, circa 1750, the solid seat above chamfered splayed legs Joined by stretchers, restored.

A Dutch walnut standing Corner
Cupboard, circa 1750, the domed
cornice above a pair of paneled doors
enclosing a painted interior with
serpentine shelves, below are a smaller
pair of paneled doors enclosing a shelf,
with bowed corners and raised on
shaped bracket feet, 241cm. high by
135cm. wide; 7ft. l by 4ft. 5m.

A William and Mary carved oak Press Cupboard, circa 1690, bearing date 1691, the frieze carved with scroll motifs and the date and raised on a pair of pillars with a pair of

carved doors, the base similarly carved and with a pair of four-panel doors, 143cm. high by 163cm. wide; 4ft. 8in. by 5ft. 4in.

A George I oak Settle, circa 1720, with five arched and fielded panels to the back, the solid seat above square cabriole legs, 193cm. wide; 6ft. 4in.

A George III oak Dresser, circa
1780, the raised open-shelf back with a
molded cornice, the base with two
frieze drawers and an arched apron, on
chamfered square legs with an under tier,
on stem feet, altered and restored.

A Charles II oak Coffer, circa
1680, the triple-paneled front carved
with quatrefoil and pattered motifs, on
stem feet, restored, 132cm. wide; 4ft. 4in.

A George I oak Blanket Chest, circa 1720, now with a fixed cover, the front with four ogee arched and fielded panels and now forming a pair of doors, below are three drawers and

a shaped apron, on stem feet, altered and restored, 147cm. wide; 4ft. 7in.

A George II oak Clothes Press, circa 1750, the adjustable platform on solid end supports, below are three long drawers and later bun feet, 76cm. wide; 2ft. 6in.

A Queen Anne walnut Chest, circa
1710, now with a hinged oak top, below
are three long graduated drawers, on
shaped bracket feet, altered and restored,
81cm. high by 99cm. wide; 2ft. 8in. by
3ft. 3in.

A Charles II oak Press Cupboard,
circa 1680, the molded cornice and
frieze with initials D.I. and date 1725,
with turned supports flanking a pair of
cupboards and two central drawers,
below are a pair of paneled doors and
stem feet, restored and including later
timber, 173cm. high by 154cm. wide;
5ft. 8m. by 4ft. 5in.

A George II oak and pine Dresser,
circa 1750, the raised open-shelved back
with a molded cornice, the two frieze
drawers above a shaped apron, on
square legs and platform base, 200cm.
high by 155cm. wide; 6ft. 7 in. by 5ft.

A James I large oak Press
Cupboard, made-up, carved with
strap work and foliate motifs, the
S rejecting cornice with turned pendants asking a pair of cupboards centered by twin panels, below are four paneled doors, on stem feet, 170cm. nigh by 244cm. wide; 5ft. 7in. by

8ft.

An oak Dresser Base, late 17th Century, with molded top and three two-panel drawers, on two turned front legs, originally with four front legs, 84cm. high by 188cm. wide; 2ft.

9m. by 6ft. 2in.

A George III provincial oak Press, late 18th Century, with a pair of cupboard doors each with two arched fielded panels, the lower part with two drawers, on bun feet, 192cm.

high by 168cm. wide; 6ft. 31. by 5ft. 6in.

A George II oak Mule Chest, circa 1725, the frieze carved with initials and date 1727, below are triple fielded panels and two drawers, on stem feet, 138cm. wide; 4ft. 6in.

FRENCH CHESTS AND CHESTS OF DRAWERS About 1800-1850
German commode in French Empire style, about 1810.
The lidded chest continues to be made as a purely utilitarian article – e.g. blanket chest, tool chest; and as a decorative one also in some areas – Scandinavia, Russia, Poland and the Baltic countries. Chests made by peasant communities in Catalonia in the mid-19thC can easily be mistaken for 17thC examples.
French mahogany commode, the drawers flanked by monopodia, about 1820.
The grand, commode-type chest of drawers survives as a salon piece in French Empire style, current throughout most of Europe, 1800-15; but from then until about 1850 (excepting revivals of Louis XV) is made in plainer, more functional fashion and banished to the bourgeois bedroom, where it is seen at its best in the Biedermeier style, originating in Austria about 1815, spreading to Germany, Scandinavia and Russia, so carrying on a sober version of Empire neo-classicism until
about 1830, after which historic revivals (Gothic, rococo, Renaissance, baroque) begin to intrude.
Mahogany popular at first but British blockade of Napoleonic Europe creates scarcity, thus stimulating use of native timbers – cherry, birch, pine, walnut, fruitwoods, poplar, ash (but not oak) – with growing preference for pale woods.
Empire-Biedermeier: Usually rectilinear, but semi-bombe shape used by Danhauser, Vienna, about 1815. In popular type, top drawer projects as if resting on a pair of cylindrical columns. A tall, slim type (called semainier in France) has seven drawers – one for each day of the week. Although guilds had been disbanded in France, Germany and Aus-Column capped by decorative metal ringmouldings.
trig, the strict training of apprentices continued as before, resulting in a high degree of craftsmanship, aided from the 1820s by English inventions, e.g. glass paper, improved saws and planes. New machines for planing, drilling, cutting mortises and producing veneers in large sheets were introduced during the Biedermeier period, and large factories set up (notably Danhauser’s, Vienna); but methods of assembly with traditional mortise-and-tenon and dovetail joints remained much the same as before. They are always concealed, the Biedermeier ideal being a flush surface, sometimes broken by a recessed arch set at the centre of the drawers, the rails also sometimes hidden by overlapping drawer-fronts.
Recessed arch, sometimes found on Biedermeier furniture.
Empire: Imperial symbols as gilt bronze mounts, imitated in brass for cheaper products. Marquetry in dark woods on light ground revived after restoration of French monarchy in 1815.
Biedermier chest of drawers, about 1825.
Biedermeier: Marquetry and mounts similar to Empire; ivory or bone escutcheon plates around keyhole — perhaps as an aid to finding key; it is often the only thing to grip, handles being sacrificed to Biedermeier passion for flatness.
French polishing introduced in France during Empire period. Austria and Germany used stains for first time during Biedermeier period, especially to simulate ebony (for bandings) and mahogany. Even then, walnut never stained. Grain of veneer on drawer-fronts runs vertically. Top edges of drawers masked with thick veneer except in Sweden, where pine foundation is usually visible; this also applies to many 18thC Swedish bureaux.
Chests of drawers of this period in pale woods not very fashionable but still not over-expensive. Darker woods, especially mahogany (the most expensive when new), now wanted rather less — excellent value.
MOCK-BIEDERMEIER
Much pretentious, poorly made, post-1850 Germanic furniture is now sold under the fashionable Biedermeier label. The best was made before 1830, is of high quality and severe-looking. Anything made after the 1840 revolution is unlikely to be true to the Biedermeier ideal of beauty — best expressed, someone once said, in the music of Schubert.
Continous vertical grain of veneer.
About 1850-1890
19thC Swiss traditional dough trough.
Contemporary chests of drawers commodious but not very elegant. Commodes in 18thC rococo style, but with original touches, produced by Leistler of Vienna, Linke and Zwiener of Paris, followed by revival of Louis XVI style. Copies of originals by Carlin (18thC ebeniste) incorporating oriental lacquer panels, made by H. Dasson but signed with own name.
In Holland, bombe commodes reproduced and marquetry flowers and birds added to plain old ones.
Lidded chests: French Provincial or Swiss dough trough (male or petrin) – a tapered chest resting on a stand, with Louis XIII-type turned legs and, very often, with Louis XV-type cabriole feet.
Swiss mahogany chest of drawers, about 1865.
Contemporary type: Mahogany, oak, walnut veneer.
Reproductions: Wide variety of exotic woods.
Rural types: Local timbers.
Traditional methods employed with great attention to detail on fine quality reproductions. Some contemporary types hand-made, many machine-assisted.
Veneered types: Marquetry, ormolu mounts (often poor).
Rural types (solid): Carving.
Veneered types: French polished.
Rural types: oiled and waxed or left in natural state. Painting of figures and flowers in Scandinavia and Eastern Europe.
Good quality 19thC copies of Louis XV and Louis XVI commodes now sell at fairly high prices, especially if signed by well-known maker, e.g. Linke or Dasson. Bulky, contemporary types often well-made, inexpensive but not easy to re-sell when they have outlived their usefulness.
19thC COPIES
The interiors of 19thC copies are generally better finished than those of the originals. Signatures, when present, are more conspicuous, and some (Linke’s especially) have been forged in recent years.

CHESTS OF DRAWERS  transitional
Retains the geometric cushion-shaped mouldings of the previous period but the mouldings are no longer the dominant feature, instead the eye is drawn to the fine burr walnut veneers. In this chest therefore are combined the decorative applied pieces and an almost dentil moulding with the new technique of veneering. The bracket feet are later. The price will very much depend on patina. c.1680
The transformation to all-over walnut veneered carcase is complete, but the maker had still the old designs very much in mind. The geometric design of the fragmented square is used on the veneered top and bottom drawer, while the second drawer continues the familiar cross design, see the bottom drawer of the chest above. Even the broad edges of the front have long thin straight shapes where applied balusters might previously have been situated and the centre of the drawers reflects the traditional division of the design
into two. Again the feet have been replaced. Note the half-round cross-grained moulding between the drawers  typical of the walnut period. c.1700
The increasing use of contrasting wood to add to the decorative quality of geometrically moulded chests might eventually have led to the idea of veneering on flat surfaces.
However the Continental influences which flooded into England at the Restoration brought foreign craftsmen as well as foreign ideas, among them veneering, so that the changeover took place quickly. These three examples show interesting transitional pieces.