Antique Chest Of Drawers

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.

Flemish 17th Century-style oak Press Cupboard, Commonwealth oak Cupboard, William and Mary stained beech wood Side Chair

A Flemish 17th Century-style oak Press Cupboard, made-up, with inlaid
panels within strap work and mitered orders, carved with cherub and lion masks, the terminals with split baluster moldings, the molded cornice above a pair of paneled doors and

two shallow doors, below are a larger pair of paneled doors and stem feet, 216cm. nigh by 163cm. wide; 7ft.  by 5ft. 4in.

A Charles II carved walnut and cane Day-Bed, made-up, with putt and vase cresting rail with matching stretchers, on spiral-twist supports and turned feet, faults, 183cm. Lang;

6ft.

An Elizabeth I-style oak Coffer, made-up, the hinge cover above a fluted frieze, the twin arched panels with geometric inlay flanked by caryatid terminals, on scroll bracket

feet, 136cm. wide; 4ft. 52in.

A Continental walnut Stool, circa 1700, the rectangular stuffed seat above scroll feet joined by stretchers, restored, 69cm. wide; 2ft. 3in.

A Charles II oak Coffer, made-up, the five arched panels above stem feet, 168cm. wide; 5ft. 6in.

A Charles II-style walnut and cane Day-Bed, circa 1870, with pattered and scroll cresting rail and similar stretchers, with spiral-twist supports, on turned feet, 175cm. bug;

5ft. 9in.

A Charles II-style walnut and cane large Stool, made-up, the rectangular seat above square and spiral-twist supports joined by pierced and carved stretchers with foliate and

coronet motifs, 153cm. long; 5ft.

A Charles II walnut and cane-back Stool, made-up, with scroll cresting rail and matching stretchers, on square and turned supports, 79cm. wide; 2ft. 7in.

A William and Mary red walnut oval Gate leg Table, circa 1700, the square and baluster turned legs joined by stretchers, on molded scroll feet, restored, lacking section from

one leaf, 122 by 122cm. extended; 4ft. by 4ft

A Commonwealth oak Cupboard, made-up, the molded cornice and bolection frieze above a pair of paneled doors with metered moldings enclosing hanging space, below are triple

panels and two apron drawers, on stem feet, faults, 193cm. high by 142cm. wide; 6ft. 4in. by 4ft. 8in.

A Charles II oak box-seat Steed, made-up, the multi-paneled back with foliate stylized carving and initials A.T. and M.T., the hinged seat above a triple-paneled and fluted

apron, on stem feet and castors, 175cm. wide;

An Adige cedar wood Cass one, circa
1700, now with a pine hinged cover,
decorated with pokerwork on a stipple
ground, faults, 181 cm. wide;
A Commonwealth-style cedar wood
and oak Chest-on-Stand, made-up, with
mitered moldings and paneled sides,
the distressed den tilled cornice above
four long drawers, the associated stand
with arcaded frieze, the stem feet with
bobbin turned pilasters and split bun
feet, faults, 150cm. high by 91.5cm. wide;
4ft. l by 3ft.

A French Louis XV provincial
large oak Armoire, circa 1/50, the
molded cornice above a pair of
paneled doors enclosing hanging space,
on stem feet, restored, 250cm. nigh by
173cm. wide; 8ft. 21/mi. by 5ft. 8m.

A pair of Continental walnut and oak Chairs, circa 1690, with arched cresting rails, the stuffed backs and seats covered in flame-stitch tapestry, the turned and square legs

joined by stretchers, restored.

A William and Mary stained beech wood Side Chair, circa 1695, the stuffed back and seat covered in brocade, the upturned vase-shaped legs joined by stretchers, restored
This lot was purchased in the Much Had ham house sale, lot 682, on the 1st October, 1980.

A Queen Anne oak four-poster Bed
Frame, circa 1710, of paneled
construction, with canopy and twin
pillars,, on stem feet, restored, 142cm. wide;
4ft. 8m.

A George II oak Dresser, circa
1750, the associated raised open-shelf
back with a pierced frieze and fluted
terminals, the base with three frieze
drawers, below are two drawers flanked
by a pair of fielded paneled doors, on
stem feet. 197cm. high by 185cm. wide;

A Queen Anne walnut and
cross banded Bureau, circa 1710, inlaid
with feather banding, the fall revealing a
stepped and fitted interior with a well
below are four long graduated drawers,
on shaped bracket feet, restored, 100cm.
high by 91.5cm. wide; 3ft. 31/nn. by 3ft.

A George I oak Cupboard, circa
1720, in two parts, the pair of paneled
doors enclosing hanging space, the base
with two dummy drawers and two real
drawers, on stem feet, 180cm. high by
132cm. wide; 5ft. l by 4ft. 4in.

A Queen Anne oak Cupboard, circa
1710, in two parts, the pair of fielded
panel doors enclosing hanging space, the
base with triple fielded panels, restored,
177cm. high by 136cm.

A George I oak Cupboard, circa
1720, the dentilled cornice above a pair
of fielded panel doors enclosing hanging
space, the base with triple fielded panels
and an apron drawer, restored, 185cm.
high by 130cm. wide; 6ft.  by 4ft. 3in.

A Charles II ambry Press Cupboard, circa 1680, the projecting cornice with turned pendants above three fielded panel doors, the three frieze drawers above a pair of fielded

panel doors with spindle turned insets, on stem feet, restored, 163cm. high by 134cm. wide; 5ft. 4in. by 4ft. 5in.

A George II oak Cupboard-on-
Chest, circa 1720, the pair of doors with
ogee arch and fielded panels, below are
four dummy drawers, the base with
three short and one long drawer, on
shaped bracket feet, restored, 153cm. high
by 136cm. wide; 5ft. by 4ft. 51/zin.

English Oak, Walnut and Mahogany Chests of Drawers

William and Mary period - c. 1690 - Walnut chest of drawers on bun feet, (not original). Inlaid with boxwood stringing lines in geometric pattern on top. Possibly placed originally on a low stand. Note the deep top edge moulding is more towards Queen Anne type but half-round or ‘D’ moulding on carcase fronts remains. Fairly straight-grained veneer but sides veneered and cross banded.
Price Range: 150-300
Value points: See section notes

Walnut chest of drawers of later period, c.1740-50, country made. The drawers are pine lined. The thin top edge moulding gives an example of later lack of boldness and the original double ‘D’ moulding around the drawers has been replaced by a single ‘D’ which is a little too clumsy at this width. Drawer fronts veneered in plain straight-grained walnut with little figure. Cross banding of drawers is ‘half-herring-bone’ , i.e. at 45 degrees which is typical of country pieces which emulated an earlier period. The top quartered and
cross banded in plain walnut. This piece has added interest in that the sides, instead of being plain pine or oak are, in fact, solid walnut (- factor).
Price Range: $75-$120
Value points: Treatment of sides i. e. Veneered  Solid Walnut
There are still plenty of these chests about but beware many ‘improved’ or recently veneered country pieces.

Mid-18th century mahogany chest of drawers on bracket feet. A thin thumb-nail top edge moulding round the top is echoed by the ovolo, lip moulding around the drawers. A very typical example of mid-18th century chests of fair quality and which are also found in oak and pine with occasional country variations.
Price Range: $50-$70
Value points: Figure of wood
(Faded mahogany is popular)

Mid-18th century mahogany chest of drawers. c. 1760. The four graduated drawers are cock beaded around the edges. The deep ovolo top edge moulding is repeated in the moulding around the base, above the shaped bracket feet. The figure of the wood is dark and rich.
Price Range: $60-$90
Value points: Size width. 3′ 0″ or under  2′ 9″ or under  2′ 6″ or under -
Figure of wood

A mid-18th century chest of drawers of high quality; of a design normally found in mahogany. Bold thumb-nail top edge moulding; brushing slide; chamfered and reeded sides; a fine graduation of drawer sizes; all indicate the quality of the piece. The bracket feet are boldly shaped and the plain ’swan neck’ handles are contemporary. Note the replacement of escutcheon plates by thethinthreaded key hole fittings.
Price Range: $100-$150 Value points: Brushing slide

A George III mahogany serpentine chest of drawers of a design frequently called Chippendale. Note the brushing slide and blind fretted edges. The decorated handles are of a high quality, matching the piece. The mahogany is of a fine faded colour and the mouldings and bracket feet are boldly executed. These pieces are of a heavier and bulkier character and the general rule of small size equating with higher value does not necessarily apply in this case.
Price Range: $400-$650
Value points: Brushing slide
Bold sweep of front elevation Fretted edges
Pronounced Mouldings

A late 18th century mahogany bow fronted chest of drawers with brushing slide. The four graduated drawers are cock beaded. The splayed feet have a nicely shaped apron between them. The top is cross banded with satinwood, an unusual feature of quality.
Price Range: $185-$225
Value points: Cross banding of top

A late 18th century bow fronted mahogany chest of three drawers with brushing slide, splayed feet and attractive apron.
Price range: $120 to $160
Value points: Low proportions  Brushing slide

A late 18th century serpentine fronted mahogany low chest of drawers on splayed feet. There is an inlaid line of boxwood stringing around the top edge.
Price Range: $75-$120
Value points: Size: since this is a low chest, the width is not as critical a factor in the price as with normal chests, but still affects value.

Mahogany chest on chest of drawers, or tallboy with brushing slide. The top half has a dentil frieze under the cornice and the sides are chamfered and reeded. The bracket feet are of serpentine shape. The swan-neck handles are original.
Price Range: $80-$100
Value points: Size is not such an important factor, since most pieces are fairly large and for this reason not expensive. A height of 6′ 6″ or under would however add to value.

A late 18th century mahogany bow fronted chest of drawers. This piece is of lower proportions, with deep drawers, and being thus somewhat smaller than the previous example, is in a slightly higher price range. The cock beading around the drawer edges can be seen clearly.
Price Range: $60-$85
Value points: See section notes

A late 18th century bow fronted mahogany chest of drawers. With ring handles and splayed feet.
Price Range: $45-$75
Value points: Size: Height 3′ 6″ or under

A Regency period mahogany bow-fronted chest of drawers with an applied solid twist or rope decoration down the front edge corners. The top and bottom edges are reeded. The turned legs give a hint of the rather bulbous turned examples that followed in the Victorian period. Although rather tall, the proportion of such chests is still good, particularly bearing in mind the larger houses which they were designed for.
Price Range: $5O- E1OO
Value points: Quality of wood used i. e. figure and decorative effect

Victorian mahogany bow-fronted chest of drawers on turned feet. The drawers have a heavy cock bead and the turned wooden knobs are also mahogany. The size of such chests tends to be large and cumbersome; the drawers less in number and hence deeper than earlier types.
Price Range: $10$-20
Value points: Satinwood …. Figured veneers

A Victorian chest of drawers of c. 1860, Usually made in mahogany. The ponderous moulded front of the top drawer throws the piece off balance and the bottom, with a solid flat base, raised slightly by turned knob feet, cannot hope to compensate in design. The turned wooden knobs are dear to the Victorian hearts and were frequently used as a replacement on chests of earlier periods in order to ‘improve’ them or bring them up to date - a vile practice which has ruined many fine 18th century pieces. Due to the fact that
they are extremely solidly made, regrettably large numbers of these chests have survived.
Price Range: $7-$I2
Value points: None

A very fine William and Mary period - c. 1690 - chest of drawers in oyster veneer, decorated with stringing lines in geometrical patterns. The wood used is laburnum, which gives a rich dark colour with a. hard, close grain. Even the half-round carcase edge mouldings around the drawers, the cross banding and the top and bottom edge ogee mouldings are in this wood, but the bun feet are probably walnut. Note that the sides are also decorated in the same manner as the top.
Price Range: 500-750
Value points: Quality of decoration  Decorated sides

William and Mary period - c. 1690 - chest of drawers veneered in laburnum oyster pieces. Possibly Anglo-Dutch due to low positioning of locks and the thin drawer linings. Top veneered in concentric circles of oysters. Sides also veneered in oysters with wide cross banding. Width 3ft. Note heavy top edge moulding similar to thumbnail and half-round or ‘D’ moulding on carcase front around drawers. Cross banding of drawers, top and sides in laburnum also. Handles not original.
Price Range: 250-450
Value points: Colour, patination and oyster pattern

A very fine William and Mary period - c. 1690 - chest of drawers in oyster veneer, decorated with stringing lines in geometrical patterns. The wood used is laburnum, which gives a rich dark colour with a hard, close grain. Even the half-round carcase edge mouldings around the drawers, the cross banding and the top and bottom edge ogee-mouldings are in this wood, but the bun feet are probably walnut. Note that the sides are also decorated in the same manner as the top.
Price Range: 500-750
Value points: Quality of decoration  Decorated sides

Early walnut chest of drawers - c. 1700 - inlaid with stringing lines in boxwood. Note heavy thumb-nail moulding around edge of top echoed in the moulding around the base above the bracket feet, possibly originally on low stand as feet are not original. The grain on original veneered feet is usually vertical, both to follow the direc - tion of the grain on the drawer front and because if it were cross -ways the veneer would chip off more easily. Half-round or ‘D’ moulding on carcase fronts around drawers. All mouldings cross-grained and in short lengths.
Price Range: $150-$350
Value points: Quality of decoration

Late 17th century - c. 1680 - oak chest of drawers often misnamed Jacobean. Note the simple mouldings and fielded panelling of the drawers. The chest is made in two halves for ease of transportation. The bun feet are typical of the William and Mary period. The drawers run on side rails on a rebate in the thick drawer linings, which are normally in oak.
The thin top has a thumb-nail lip edge moulding. The handles are original.*
Price Range: $80-$120
Value points: Veneered panels in other woods  Intricacy of mitred drawer fronts  Applied split baluster decoration  Decorated inlay
Original feet
*Note the deep second drawers.

A late 17th century oak chest of drawers similar to the previous example. The mitred drawer fronts are more decorated and the balance of the piece is lighter. There is a convex moulding under the top and the carcase frame continues down to form the feet; a feature of an earlier period. The knobs are not original.
Price Range: $75-$110
Value points: Veneered panels and inlaid decoration

17th-18th Century English Oak, Walnut and Mahogany Chests

Early 17th century oak chest with three front panels decorated with stylised geometric carving. The rails are also carved with an arched pattern typical of the period. On this chest the plain solid sides are of walnut whi ch was much more commonly used wood than is generally supposed but of which less survived than oak due to its greater susceptibility to woodworm.
Price Range: $60-$90
Value points: Depth, intricacy and profusion of carving  The addition of human faces, figures.
Dating and initials (if genuine)

Mid-17th century oak chest with panelled front, top and sides. The front panels and rails are carved in fairly shallow decoration of a botanical nature. The escutcheon plate has been added later.
Price Range: $35-$45
Value points: Quality of carving …

Mid-17th century oak chest with fielded panels. diamond shaped inlay of light wood (box or holly).
Price Range: 35-45
Value points: Decoration  Internal herb tray
Mouldings  Original lock
Inlay of flowers etc.

Mid-17th century plain oak chest with three undecorated panels in lid and front. Ornamentation of the frieze by carving is typical of these pieces.
Price Range: $30-$40
Value Points: Decoration  Dating
Coats of Arms
Warning:- These simple chests were often ‘improved’ in the Victorian period by elaborate carving; in an attempt to simulate age, the quality of the carving looks very amateur.

Late 17th century oak chest with single drawer beneath; the evolution of the chest of drawers is commencing. The split baluster decoration and the mouldings are similar to those found on chests of drawers.
Price Range: $45-$65
Value points: Quality of mouldings and decorations

A walnut and marquetry chest of c. 1680 decorated with various coloured marquetries on an ebony ground. The panels are an unusual formation. There is a drawer in the base and the chest rests upon a separate stand. The bun feet are replacements.
Price Range: $450-$550
Value points: Complexity of colour and design of decoration

Early 18th century oak chest, with two drawers under and three fielded front panels. It is on bracket feet and shows the transition from simple lidded chests to chests of drawers.
The ovolo mouldings on the drawers suggest it is not of an earlier date.
Price Range: $25-$35
Value points: Inlay or decoration

Early 18th century chest veneered in walnut of highfigure on an oak carcase. It is decorated with herring-bone inlay. There are, carrying handles at each end; the base is separate.
Price Range: $90-$110
Value points: Figure of walnut Trunk lid

Mid-18th century elm country chest of simple construction from solid planks. Integral base and bracket feet. Common side dovetails show on the front face.
Price Range: 10-15
Value points: Mouldings around lid and base Figure and grain of wood

A walnut chest of c. 1740 date, decorated with inlaid boxwood stringing to give a cross banded effect. The small double lip moulding around the drawers, on the carcase fronts, is a later refinement of ‘double D’ mouldings of an earlierperiod. The top edge moulding is also a Georgian refinement. It is interesting to note the three small top drawers, usually a warning that the piece has been on a stand, but in this case the veneered top could be an indication that this need not be so.
Price Range: $100-$150
Value points: Quality of decoration  Veneered sides

English Chests and Chests of Drawers of 17th, 18th and 19th Century
The earliest forms of chest were simple coffer-like constructions with solid sides reaching to the floor to act as feet. By the 17th century, a joined frame construction with panels had appeared and these panels, and also sometimes the hinged lid, were decorated with carving and even inlays. The evolution of the clothing used in the later part of the 17th century made it undesirable to keep heaping clothes on top of each other inside these pieces and drawers appeared in sides to separate them.
The chest of drawers is said to have appeared about 1650 and the first forms were half chest and half cabinet. Usually there was one deep drawer either in the upper or lower part and shallower ones enclosed by doors. The drawers were grooved in the sides to run on bearers fixed to the carcase until after the Restoration, when bottom drawer runners appeared.
On the early types the fronts are often decorated with mitred geometrical mouldings and split balusters. Inlays of bone, ivory and mother of pearl are to be found on the more important pieces. With the advent of walnut fashions towards the end of the century, much more sophisticated and decorative chests of drawers, usually on stands with twist or cup-form legs appeared. The bun foot used on such chests gradually gave way, in ordinary chests to bracket feet, and to those on stands to the cabriole leg so popular in the first
half of the 18th century. Oak continued to be used during the evolutionary period of walnut from 1670-1730, after which mahogany became much more general except in country pieces, which were made in a variety of woods.
Value Points -
Oak Period (to 1690)
-Value points are given individually for early oak chests. For chests of drawers however the following points must be taken as common to all examples:-
Walnut Period (1670-1740)
-In chests on stands,the existence of an original stand gives a  factor. (The legs, stretchers and feet on such stands have nearly always been replaced due to damage and rot.
Marquetry
-Choice of veneers, figures and patination
-Original brass handles and keyhole plates
-Faded cross-grain mouldings in short lengths
-Veneered top (on chests or stands)  (this was left unveneered on pieces originally over about 5′6″ high).
-Veneered and cross banded sides  (country pieces left sidesoak or pine and the side mouldings were cut along the grain instead of across it).
-Oak drawer linings  (country pieces usually lined in pine). Original bracket or bun feet
For chests of drawers, or chests on stands the following notation applies -
-Quartered top. The best quality chests of drawers had the tops veneered in four matching pieces to form a fine formal pattern in veneers. Lesser quality pieces sometimes have the top veneered in two matching halves, while country pieces sometimes had one plain sheet of top veneer.
-’Feather’ or ‘herring-bone’ inlay or cross banding
Mahogany Period (1730 onwards)
In mahogany examples the following points may be taken to commonly affect value:-
Choice of wood and figure
(Early Spanish mahogany or decoratively figured wood add greatly to the price).
-Original handles and keyhole plates
-Oak linings
-Serpentine bracket feet on later examples
-Colour and patination
(Fading mahogany is considered particularly desirable).
For all chests, it may be taken that structural condition and originality are important value points.

CHESTS
We start this section with two Spanish examples because a large number have been imported over the last ten years and some have been passed off as British.
At first sight a Gothic coffer, something that anyone interested in oak would very much like to own. Closer examination would suggest that the age is nearer eighteenth century than pre-1550. It is Spanish, one of a
number of these good looking chests that have been imported over the last twenty years. 18th century
Very heavily constructed chest, decorated with stylised geometric carving. The cross in the middle suggests use in a church or private chapel  both sources of many early chests. Country of origin not always easy to
determine  possibly Spanish. Late 16th century
The high prices for the impressive Spanish examples often come from the interior decorators’ market where the effect of antiquity is more important than originality. IMPORTANT. Look at the examples of Victorian
carving in the section on Victorian carving.
A highly ornate, well-carved and impressive chest. One can see the depth of carving, the assurance of the execution and almost feel the rich quality of what is obviously a fine patination. Inlaid panels and a bold
deeply-carved bottom moulding could add substantially to the price. c. 1600
This small, simple, solidly-made chest has two panels decorated with linenfold panelling. The multiple panel top is typical of the early period. Late 16th century
By no means a top quality chest, but vigorously and well carved with the traditional arch in the centre panel. Would now be sold as a `high quality’ chest. c. 1640
Although the panels are carved using a simple gouge chisel, the design is vigorous and well drawn and the effect is good. The rails and stiles are decorated with the same repetitive pattern of figures of eight but it,
too, is well done. Mid-17th century
An unusual form of chest in which the front is divided up into a number of small panels both horizontal as well as the normal vertical. The carving is just slightly crude, the serpents being simply gouged out. An
interesting piece that will sooner or later be given a location as more research in this field is undertaken.
A fairly common type with lozenge decoration and crudely executed lunettes. It has the advantage of being small. Late 17th century
This is an improved version of the previous example. The same pattern has been employed but the decoration both inside and around the two diamonds is more deeply cut and carefully carved. The line of arcading
along the top rail is accurately executed, while the guilloche carving on the middle stile is also of high quality. The top is panelled and the size is small.
A lesser example in which the arches are crudely outlined. Compare, too, the running carving which is of a much more simple form than its equivalent in the previous example. Nevertheless, a piece of considerable
charm with a good three-panelled top.
The ’six plank’ chest, in which the sides extend to the floor, was made by carvers contemporaneously with the mortise and tenon type made by the joiners. The well-executed arcading and not quite so good
half-round decorations, made it an attractive piece.
A much more simple chest and slightly larger than the last example. It is in elm and is later than it looks. The quality of the lunette-type patterns is about average for this type of chest.
Early 18th century
Typical of the large well made but undecorated chests frequently found and harder than usual to date. This is a four-panel version; the majority have only three panels.