Antique Chest Of Drawers

 

A Swiss walnut pedestal Table, Victorian large mahogany Library Bookcase,  Victorian papier-mache Chairs

A George Ill-style painted and
upholstered Berger, circa 1910,
covered in brocade, the padded arms
with turned facings, the bowed seat with
a cushion, on turned tapering legs.

A Victorian large mahogany Library Bookcase, circa 1850, formerly part of a larger bookcase, with receded terminals and acanthus carved corbels, the molded cornice above six

glazed paneled doors enclosing adjustable shelves, below are four paneled doors and a plinth base, altered and restored, 238cm. high by 366cm. wide; 7ft.  by 12ft.

A Victorian walnut ‘Savonarola’ Chair, circa 1900, with ladder back and stuffed velvet seat, the splayed legs joined by an ‘X’-shaped stretcher.

A Victorian teak and brass-bound secretaries Military Chest, circa 1860, in two parts, the fitted writing drawer flanked by four short drawers.

A Victorian olivewood Work Table, circa 1850, the octagonal molded top enclosing a fretted lid and yellow moire silk-linear interior, on concave splat supports, a molded

baluster pillar and concave-sided platform with molded scroll feet, 71cm. nigh by 48cm.2ft. 4in. by  7in.

A parquetry Side Cabinet, late
19th Century, in the Louis XV/XVI
Transitional style, with bowed ends and
cabriole legs, the frieze inlaid to simulate
fluting and containing four drawers,
with four quarter-veneered cupboards
below inlaid with baskets and sprays of
flowers, with gilt-bronze mounts, 117cm.
high by 89cm. wide; 3ft. by
7ft. 22in.

A pair of George Ill-style
satinwood and floral painted shield-back
Chairs, circa 1890, with pierced splats
and stuffed bowed seats covered in
brocade, the tapered square legs ending
in collars.

A Victorian rosewood
Bonheur-du-Jour, circa 1900, inlaid with
satinwood stringing and arabesques, with
rear hinged domed cover revealing
stationery compartments, pen tray and
inkwell, the fold-over top revealing an
inset, the two apron drawers above
tapered square legs and galleried
under tier, on brass capping and castors,
69cm. wide; 2ft. 3in.

A pair of Victorian papier-mache
Chairs, circa 1860, with foliate painting
and gilt festoons, the spiral-twist back
supports with a needlework splat, the
matching seat above turned legs joined
by bobbin turned stretchers

A Victorian rosewood Stool, circa 1860, the rectangular stuffed seat covered in green brocade, the scroll carved apron above acanthus-clad cabriole legs, on scroll feet .

A Victorian rosewood Pole Screen, circa 1850, with scroll carved velvet framed panel, the brass and baluster pillar above a circular base, on triple molded feet, 144cm. high;

4ft. 82in.

An Edwardian mahogany Display
Cabinet, circa 1910, the pierced fret
pediment with vase-turned finials, the
pear-drop cornice above a pair of arched
astragal doors enclosing a pleated
fabric-lined interior with glass shelves,
the combined stand with chamfered
square legs and pierced angle brackets
joined by a fretwork under tier, fitted for
electric light, 174cm. high by 112cm. wide;
5ft. 82in. by 3ft. 8in.

CONTINENTAL FURNITURE

A Continental 18th Century-style
walnut Chest, circa 1850, with specimen
parquetry banding and canted corners,
the den tilled cornice above three long
drawers, on shaped bracket feet, 97cm.
high by 114cm. wide; 3ft. 2in. by 3ft. 9in.

An Italian carved and gilt framed
Wall Mirror, modern, in the George
II-style, with pierced foliate scroll
surround, the pagoda surmount above
wave and flame motifs, the apron
centered by a cartouche, 160cm.
high by 82cm. wide; 5ft. 3in. by 2ft. 8in.

A Dutch mahogany and
cross banded bow-front Cabinet
Bookcase, circa 1890, inlaid with
chevron banding and satinwood urns
and maidens, the blind-fret cornice
above a pair of paneled doors enclosing
adjustable shelves, below are two frieze
drawers and a pair of paneled doors, on
shaped bracket feet, restored, 221cm. high
by l05cm. wide; 7ft. 3in. by 3ft. 51.

A Dutch parquetry and walnut serpentine-fronted side Table, circa 1750, with an arrangement of four drawers and a shaped apron, on cabriole legs and pad feet, drawer stamped

From Geoffrey R. Edwards Furniture Warehouse, 12 Dotcom Street, S. W.

A Florentine ornate carved frame Mirror, circa 1730, the shaped plate with bold floral scroll surround, gilt tarnished, 74cm. high by 63cm. wide; 2ft. 5in. by
2ft.

A Dutch parquetry and
mahogany bow-front Corner Cupboard,
circa 1800, the door above shaped and
tapered square feet, 84cm. high by 69cm.
wide; 2ft. 9tn. by 2ft. 3m.

A German mahogany Bureau,
circa 1870, the raised back with three
drawers, the piano molded fall-front
revealing a maple veneered interior with
leather cloth inset and three drawers,
below are three apron drawers, on
turned and receded tapering legs, 112cm.
high by 130cm. wide; 3ft. 8in. by 4ft. 3in.

An Empire mahogany Side
Cabinet, circa 1820, the frieze drawer
above a pair of paneled doors flanked
by Corinthian pilasters, on block feet,
95cm. high by 93cm. wide; 3ft. by
3ft. 2in.

A Swiss walnut pedestal Table, circa 1860, the oval serpentine top with satinwood vine inlay and medallions, decorated in pinwork with a reclining lion, deer and goats, the

pierced apron above an ornate carved scroll tripod base, 93cm. wide;

A George III mahogany Bureau Bookcase, Dutch East Indies Chest-on-Low Stand, A George III mahogany secretaries Bookcase

A George III mahogany Bureau
Bookcase, circa 1780, the den tilled
cornice above a pair of paneled doors,
the cross banded fall revealing a fitted
interior, below are three long graduated
drawers, on shaped bracket feet, restored,
213.5cm. high by 97cm. wide; 7ft. by
3ft. 2m.

A George III mahogany
semi-circular Tea Table, circa 1790, the
fold-over top above a frieze drawer, on
molded and tapered square legs, 94cm.
wide; 3ft.

A George III mahogany Chest,
circa 1770, the slide above three long
G
graduated drawers, on later shaped
racket feet, 85cm. high by 95cm. wide;

A Regency mahogany two-tier
drop-leaf Dumb-Waiter, circa 1810, the
baluster turned pillar above receded
tripod supports, on brass capping and
castors, restored, 94cm. high by 70cm. max.
dram.; 3ft.  by 2ft.

A George III mahogany bow-front
Sideboard, circa 1790, the sides with
slides, the three frieze drawers above an
arched apron flanked by a cupboard and
a cellaret drawer, with oval segmented
veneers and rosewood banding, on
tapered square legs and spade feet,
94cm. high by 165cm. wide; 3ft.  by
5ft. 5in.

A Dutch East Indies Chest-on-Low Stand, circa 1800, inlaid
with cut-brass medallions, with foliate
carved front and sides, with carrying
handles, the later stand with a shaped
apron and turned feet, 74cm. high
113cm. wide; 2ft. 5in. by 3ft.

A William IV rosewood circular
pedestal Table, circa 1835, the tilt-top
above triple turned pillars and a reform
base, on bun feet and castors, restored,
122cm. 4ft.

A Regency mahogany
rectangular atop-leaf Table, circa 1810,
with a drawer, the turned and receded
tapering legs ending in brass capping
and castors, 107 by 130cm. fully extended;
3ft. 6in. by 4ft. 3m.

A George III mahogany secretaries
Bookcase, circa 1790, the den tilled
cornice above a pair of geometric
astragal doors enclosing adjustable
shelves, the fitted writing drawer with
sycamore and satinwood cross banded
snort drawers, below are three long
graduated drawers, on shaped bracket
feet, restored, 217cm. high by 125cm. wide;

A William IV large rosewood break-front Cabinet, circa 1835, with rear brass gallery and gadrooned border, the pair of paneled doors flanked by corbel carved pilasters and a

pair of brass grille doors, on a plinth base, 99cm. high by 270cm. wide; 3ft. 3in. by 8ft. 10in., brass gallery 40cm.;

A George IV mahogany pedestal Table, circa 1825, the tilt-top above a receded baluster pillar, the receded quadruple splayed legs with disc medallions ending in ornate brass

capping and castors, 119 by 126cm.;

A George III mahogany
break-front Bookcase, circa 1800, the
domed cornice above four geometric
astragal doors enclosing adjustable
shelves, below are four paneled doors
with segmented oval veneers and a
rosewood banding, inlaid with satinwood
stringing, the interior with adjustable
shelves, on a plinth base, restored, 274cm.
high by 280cm. wide; 9ft. by 9ft. 2in.

A George IV mahogany break-front Sideboard, circa 1825, the front with cross banding and ebonized stringing, the cutlery drawer and arched apron flanked by bowed wings with a

cupboard and a deep drawer, on ring turned legs, restored, 94cm. high by 183cm. wide; 3ft.  by 6ft.

A George III mahogany tray-top Bedside Commode, made-up, with a frieze drawer above a pair of doors, the modern base with square chamfered legs, 54cm. wide;  9in.

A William IV mahogany quadruple pedestal Dining Table, made-up, with two leaves, the square steppe pillars above base, on gadrooned scroll feet and castors, 137 by 405cm. fully

extended; 4ft. Sin. by 13ft. 3in.

A George III mahogany serpentine-fronted Chest, circa 1790, the four long graduated drawers above splayed bracket feet, restored, 93cm. high by 94cm. wide; 3ft.

A George IV mahogany Hunt
Table, circa 1825, with drop-leaves and
detachable central section, the bold
turned and receded legs ending in brass
capping and castors, 175cm. wide;
5ft. 9in.

A George IV mahogany and
button-upholstered Armchair, circa
1825, with a rectangular back, stuffed
sides and seat covered in tapestry, the
receded scroll arm-facings with
conforming apron, the turned and
receded tapering legs ending in brass
capping and castors, one leg detached.

A George II black
japanned Blanket Chest, circa 1740,
decorated in gilt with birds and pagodas
in exotic landscapes, with brass carrying
handles, the domed and hinged cover
with ornate brass escutcheon, the later
stand with cabriole legs and trefoil feet,
120cm. wide; 3ft.

A George III mahogany
Pembroke Table, circa 1790, with
rectangular top and elliptical leaves, with
a drawer, the tapered square legs ending
in spade feet and brass capping and
castors, 91.5cm. wide; 3ft

Bow-fronted chest of drawers

1. Fine, well-figured solid mahogany with well-matched mahogany veneer on drawer fronts.
2. Oak-lined drawers to c.1800 with slim cockbeaded outline and plain swan-necked drawer handles. Oval backplates from C.1810.
3. Delicate, double or triple reeding or thumb moulding to sides of the top on the overhang. Plain back edge is flush with backing planks.
4. Backs in unfinished timber of same age and patination, with gaps where shrinkage has occurred with time.
5. Curved fronts of dustboards in separate piece.
6. Graduated drawer depths.
7. Four full-width drawers to c.1800 when a pair of top drawers replaced the single one.
8. Bracket feet made separately to c.1800 with a thin line of moulding around the base. From c.1800c.1840 feet are integral with side timbers.
9. After c. 1830, chests of drawers taller, often with five flights of drawers, on round, turned feet.
Likely restoration and repair
10. From c.1850 made in much larger sizes, which may be cut down to better-looking
`Sheraton’ shape. Top pair of drawers removed, piece raised with splayed bracket feet to add height; new top with ‘Sheraton’ reeding often added as a separate fillet which can be seen from the back.
11. Later, five-flight chests of drawers cut down in similar fashion, with turned feet
replaced with splayed bracket feet and shaped apron added the join will show on the sides.
12. Drawer handles set too close to edge on small chest, which indicates it has probably been cut down, the turned wooden handles removed and new brass backplates added to conceal the original holes. No patination around the new backplates.
Historical background
It is probable that the bow-fronted chest of drawers was an evolution of the flamboyant French commode and the bombe shape so favoured by the Dutch. The bombe shape, with its double curves and sinuously swelling sides, was never as popular in England as plainer, serpentine shapes, although Chippendale incorporated the curved sides into many of his French-influenced designs. There is evidence of Hepplewhite’s use of bow-fronted shapes, particularly in his designs for bedroom and boudoir furniture, but it would seem that it was Sheraton who first produced this enduring shape which has become, like his sideboard, a standard piece of English furniture.
Few bow-fronted chests of drawers can be directly attributed to a particular
designer, and most of the fine early examples are more often described as ‘George III’, a generous label since it covers 60 years, from 1760 to 1820. The finest early mahogany examples fall into the early part of this period, when they were made with curving bracket feet, fine cockbeading on the graduated drawers and brushing slides. Later versions are of the more familiar early nineteenth-century design, with shaped aprons and slightly splayed feet, made in mahogany veneer on a red pine or, sometimes, a cheap mahogany
carcase.
Bow-fronted chests of drawers are seldom found in any other wood or veneer except dark mahogany, and it is fair to assume that they were intended for gentlemen’s dressing rooms and bedrooms, at least until the end of the nineteenth century.
Construction and materials
Early bow-fronted chests of drawers followed the same construction principles as serpentine-fronted chests of drawers, in that they were made in solid wood with veneered drawer-fronts and deep thumb moulding around three sides of the top. There was no overhang at the back. A line of moulding ran round the base, which was mounted on curving or slightly splayed bracket feet. From c.1780 reeded moulding was introduced around the tops, and was believed to have been originated by Thomas Sheraton. Drawers were still oak-lined and veneered, and were outlined with a thin, typically late eighteenth century, line of cockbeading.
There were four graduated single drawers until c.1800 when frequently a pair of drawers replaced the single one in the top flight. Up to this date the slim top drawer was sometimes fitted as a writing drawer, with the brushing slide serving a double purpose.
Drawers had runners on small blocks on either side of the dustboards. They were made in two pieces, with the curved front edge cut separately. As with all other storage pieces, the drawers and
dustboards did not run the full depth of the piece, but stopped a little short to allow air to circulate inside. Backs were of unfinished planking, oak or cheaper-grade mahogany.
From c.1820 the bow-front became more accentuated as techniques of bending and steaming timber began to be used, and from this date carcases were often made of red pine.
Detail
Plain brass-rimmed locks were replaced with Victorian Bramah locks from c.1846, and all drawers, at least until the end of the nineteenth century, were fitted with locks. From c.1850 the front edge of the top was often given an exaggerated curve to add visually to the line of the bow-front. Top edges of veneered chests of drawers were mainly flush from c.1810-30, while solid tops had rounded moulding. Few bow-fronts after c.1820 incorporated brushing slides, and by c.1850 turned wooden knobs often replaced brass
drawer handles, and rounded turned feet replaced the splayed bracket feet and curving apron.
Variations
There are many Continental variations of the bombe-shaped chest of drawers with its double curve and swelling front. They were often made in walnut, and were sometimes late variations of earlier walnut marquetry pieces. They tend to have very decorative handles and escutcheons and oak-lined drawers, but although at first glance they seem to resemble a bow-front, they are more serpentine in shape.
It is extremely unlikely that bow-fronted chests of drawers were ever originally made in pine. The main point about pine furniture in the nineteenth century was that it was cheap to make in quantity, which would not have been true of a bow-fronted piece. If these are encountered, it is more likely that they were originally well-made carcases of chests of drawers which have been stripped of their thin veneer to add value during the fashion for stripped-pine furniture.
George III bow fronted mahogany commode.
Reproductions
The most common reproduction is the Sheraton copy, with the familiar late Victorian or early Edwardian version of the conch shell or spray of flowers inlaid in paler-coloured panels, as seen on other bedroom furniture of the same period. The mahogany veneer is thin and without good figuring, the escutcheons frequently of bone or ivory, and the piece may well have been French polished to increase the glossiness of its appearance. American pine carcases were common for these reproductions, and the quality of the
finish in many cases is poor, with rough edges under the machine-cut curved apron, and drawers which do not fit properly.
However, much good-quality `Sheraton revival’ furniture was made during the first decades of the twentieth century, and among the favourite pieces for gentlemen’s dressing rooms and bedrooms was the bow-fronted chest of drawers, in many cases far better made than those of the late nineteenth century. They were made by furniture-makers who supplied the main
furnishing department stores of the day. Once seen and handled, they are not easily confused with the cheap run-of-the mill reproductions with shoddy workmanship of the same period.
Price bands
Hepplewhite period, fine figured veneer and brushing slide,$1,100-1,500.
Satinwood veneer, top quality, some inlay and decoration, 2,000+.
George III splayed feet, good veneer, 900-1,200.
Early Victorian good quality c.1850, 600-900.
Late nineteenth-century, variable quality, $300-750.