Antique Chest Of Drawers

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

CHESTS OF DRAWERS - 1860-1930
The period 1860-1930 is not particularly associated with beautiful chests of drawers in the traditional antique collector’s view. Wooden knobs and nasty turned feet are what spring immediately to mind. Unlike the 18th century, where the chest played a decorative role, the chest of drawers was relegated to the bedroom in the 19th century and replaced by display cabinets and other pieces in the more public rooms. Thus the pieces tend to be commodious and very functional, with some design aberrations as a gesture to current taste, but not very lovely.
At the end of the century, back went the chest to 18th century styling in addition to current forms. It was perhaps the Arts and Crafts Movement who reclaimed the chest of drawers as a more interesting piece and,
subsequently, the Cotswold designers  Gimson, the Barnsleys and Gordon Russell  produced pieces in solid native woods that were based on traditional forms but clean in line and of pleasing appearance. The trade
always produced pine and deal chests in quantity and the chest also appeared, of course, in Jacobethan, burr walnut bedappled and plain forms.
A mahogany chest of drawers with twist-turned columns down the sides and a heavy, serpentine-moulded top drawer. The mahogany veneers used are of high quality, with well-matched figure repeated from drawer to drawer, but the overall effect is heavy. It is a type popular from the 1840s onwards, although by 1880 it must have been out of fashion. 1840-1870
Another chest in mahogany of sub-classical design of a type originating in the 1840s and based on French classical types. Well made, with well matched veneers but nowadays considered ponderous. 1840-1860
A mahogany chest with three deep drawers at the top. Sometimes the middle deep top drawer is fitted as a secretaire, which adds to value. The quality of veneers is good but the effect is ponderous, particularly
the bottom apron which appears to have a drawer in it. These chests, like the previous two, were built usually of deal, with mahogany veneer, for cheapness and many now suffer from missing pieces of veneer due to wear. It is not difficult to repair small missing pieces but the effect before repair tends to put purchasers off. 1850-1870
Another ponderous chest, but this time bow-fronted. Not really of the correct proportions for modification to an ‘18th century’ bow front on splayed feet by a `converter’, so has to be sold more or less for what
it is. 1850-1880
Possibly the epitome of the good quality Victorian mahogany chest of drawers  tall, bow fronted, with splendid use of `feather’ mahogany veneers. Capacious, well-built and with drawers fitted to run
smoothly. The wooden knobs have been turned with some decorative ridging which refines the bluntness of the ordinary bulbous knob. The bun-shaped and tapered turned feet are also typical. The gradation of the
drawer depths is also well handled on this example. Altogether a very professional piece of furniture but, unlike 18th century chests, not very suitable for rooms other than the bedroom and therefore restricted in price accordingly. 1850-1870
Back to the 18th century  a mahogany bow-fronted chest on splay feet in the ‘Hepplewhite’ style but with original wooden knobs, whereas Hepplewhite would have had pressed brass plates and handles.
Made in quite large quantities and now often `converted’ to an 18th century piece by modification back to brass handles. If a bit tall for 18th century proportion, then it might be further modified by having a drawer
removed and the carcase re-jigged. 1880-1900
A chest made by Shoolbred & Co. in emulation of a French Empire style, with a marble top. It is made in solid mahogany with mahogany veneered drawer fronts and solid mahogany mouldings, so must have been expensive. Now considered somewhat dark and sombre, so not particularly valued.
A ‘Chippendale’ mahogany serpentine fronted chest of drawers, with a brushing slide and canted corners with blind fretted decoration, on bracket feet. A good reproduction of a mid-18th century chest.
A mahogany serpentine- fronted chest on chest incorporating two short drawers, six long drawers and a brushing slide. The canted corners are embellished with blind fretwork of Chippendale pattern and the
top moulding is dentilled. Although the quality of workmanship appears to be good, the proportion is too cramped for 18th century work. Doubtless a useful piece for the smaller rooms of the early 20th century.
1910-1930
A typical Edwardian chest of drawers, with solid plinth base. Available at the time in either ’satin walnut’  which is a kind of solid yellow-brown wood, imported from America  or oak. It has pressed bronze
handles and plates. The incised horizontal moulding machined across the drawer fronts and down the sides is a feature of the period. 1900-1910
An Edwardian mahogany chest of drawers, on a solid plinth base, with satinwood crossbanding and oval pressed brass handles to give a ‘Sheraton’ look.
Another typical Edwardian form of chest, known at the time as a ‘Scotch’ chest. The drawer edges are bevelled or fielded. The arrangement of the top drawers, with one deep central unit and pairs of small
drawers flanking it, dates back to press chests of the 18th century. Available in walnut or mahogany. 1900-1910
A cupboard chest of drawers favoured by Percy Wells for use in the bedroom, where the fall-front cupboard, intended for hats, had ‘met with cordial approval’. Presumably this was intended for ladies, since the vision of lustful 1920s male cottage visitors, dashing into the bedroom with their hats still on, having missed the hall stand or rack recommended by Wells (elsewhere) in their ardour on the way, and stuffing the offending garment into the top of the cupboard chest (before or afterwards) ‘with cordial approval’ is even more than D.H. Lawrence might conceive. Actually Wells also recommended similar cupboard chests, with added boot and book shelves below and above respectively, for the living room. There is a hint that the fall front chest might replace the bureau, using the flap for writing purposes. c.1920
An oak chest of drawers of slightly progressive design with ‘oxidised’ metal handles. A reduction by a commercial manufacturer of ‘art nouveau’ styling to a simpler form Plain Furniture is on the way. 1900-1910
Three waxed oak chests by Maurice Adams, showing reliance on late 17th and early 18th century designs. A turned-leg stretchered variety for the raised first example, called a ‘Cromwell’ design by the maker; bracket feet and bun feet for the more conventional types.
Three mahogany reproduction style chests from Maurice Adams. The feet are a semi-cabriole splayed variety in deference to prevailing I good’ taste, i.e. for quasi-Queen Anne. c.1925
Chest of drawers in oak with walnut handles by Gordon Russell. Wardrobe and mirror to match. Note the inlaid ebony-andbox chequer lines beloved of the movement, particularly the Cotswold Crafties. Simple and
functional: the wooden handles are a particular trademark of Russell’s. c.1930

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

CHESTS ON CHESTS
The grandest form of walnut chest on chest, incorporating an inlaid ’sunburst’ in the bottom drawer, brushing slide and canted corners on the top half, the corners being fluted with cross-grained moulding. The drawers are veneered with finely matched walnut and have herring-bone cross-banding and a walnut cock-bead. c.1715
A plainer walnut chest on chest with inlaid herring-bone to cross-banded drawers edged with ovolo lip moulding to cover the carcase edges. No slide, canted corners or sunburst.
A fine quality mahogany chest on chest with cross-banded drawers with cockbeading, mounted on serpentine bracket feet. The top chest features pillared fluted corners with brass mounts and a blind fret beneath the dentil top moulding and the pillars.
A good quality mahogany chest on chest on serpentine bracket feet, with reeded canted corners to the top chest.
c.1770  A plain mahogany chest on chest with no decoration, on bracket feet. Also made in oak.
A good quality mahogany chest on chest with reeded canted corners, key pattern to the top moulding and an inlaid ebony and boxwood stringing line round each drawer. Often found in oak as well as mahogany.
A Chippendale mahogany chest on chest, of high quality, with broken pediment, dentil decorated cornice, brushing slide and serpentine bracket feet.
A bow-fronted chest on chest with dentil top moulding and splay feet.
An interesting bow-fronted chest on chest on Hepplewhite-style splayed feet. The top shows the black inlaid stringing lines popularised by the revival of classical design. Note, too, how the gradation of the drawers produces a better effect than 363 which is altogether an inferior piece.
1800-1820 Commode
A semi-circular commode on tapering legs.
satinwood inlaid two door
A Hepplewhite serpentine-front commode chest of drawers in mahogany. Fitted with slide. The fin-lire projections on the sides and the shaped apron beneath together with shape of moulding all point towards the work of this designer. An elegant piece with fine patination and original handles.
A mahogany serpentine -front chest on heavily carved cabriole legs. The design is similar to Chippendale but shows later influences in the acanthus leaf carving and scrolling of the legs. It is a type often reproduced.
An interesting design of Thomas Hope influence, showing Egyptian heads and ebony stringing lines.
A mahogany commode on spirally fluted tapering legs. A more classical design not unlike those illustrated by Sheraton.

CHESTS  serpentine, 1770-1800
A fine quality serpentine mahogany chest with canted fluted corners, a slide and bracket feet. The handles are possibly original. 1770-1780
A Sheraton design mahogany serpentine chest featuring inlaid shell motifs and boxwood and ebony stringing lines. The plate handles may be original. Note the heavy bracket feet.
1780-1800
A mahogany serpentine chest of drawers without slide and with a narrower corner with fluting, on bracket feet. The drawers are cross-banded and the swan-neck handles are original. 1770-1790
A mahogany serpentine chest on splayed feet with inlaid boxwood. stringing lines and mahogany crossbanding. Note how the corners terminate in a sharp edge without a canted surface or decoration. The splayed feet follow the late eighteenth century designs of Hepplewhite. 1780-1800
CHESTS  dower, and trunks, on stands
A walnut chest on a more elaborate stand, with cabriole legs incorporating shell motifs and ball-and-claw feet. Carrying handles are again fitted. Legs and stands of this type were extensively reproduced between the wars. 1725-1735
A mahogany domed chest/trunk on a square fluted stand. Again the domed top affects the price as does the size and the stand which, despite the use of fluting to lighten up appearance, does nothing to disguise the bulk of the piece.

CHESTS  bow-fronted mahogany, 1780 onwards
A late eighteenth century example with brushing slide showing fine use of the mahogany grain to provide the maximum decorative effect. Note the bottom moulding which soon disappeared, and the use of needed top moulding which started with Sheraton but came into wide use in Regency times. The splayed feet add to the value. Good original handles.
c. 1790Splay feet with apron, good ripple effect on the mahogany and brushing slide  all point towards Georgian quality. Only the flat D-shaped top moulding, which suggests a move towards the Victorian, and the lack of crossbanding detract.
c. 1820sA bow-fronted chest with slide, splayed feet and shaped apron. The top is cross-banded in satinwood. A fine quality piece.
1780-1800A small chest cross-banded with satinwood on the top and showing the flat fronted form of bow which appeared in Sheraton’s design book in 1793. (In another variant of the same form pillars are found superimposed on the ends.) Quite an elegant piece helped by the existence of a brushing slide but odd and untidy in that it lacks cockbeading to the edges of the drawers. Notice that all four examples on this page have long top drawers instead of two short ones.
1795-1810n But imagine satinwood crossbanding, original shells  writing
drawer, good polish etc.,
c. 1830s
A low bow-fronted chest with splayed feet, veneered in feather figured mahogany. Not a favourite type because it is too squat and out of proportion, almost as though a bottom drawer has been taken out.
A fairly plain mahogany veneered example. With splay feet at both front and back. It has a flat top moulding and Bramah locks. Quite elegant in a modest way.
A little wooden-knobbed chest on particularly Victorian bun feet with an almost flat moulding, not very exciting perhaps but it has two virtues  it is small and the maker made an effort with the grain of the wood. It will probably end up with a reeded moulding, apron and splay feet and oval brass handles. Why oval Because the knob holes are too near the drawer ends to put on round or octagonal; oval shaped handles will make them appear better spaced. Could end up looking better than 379.
A feather figured veneered mahogany chest on turned feet of good quality throughout and with good patination. With brass replacements handles could look very handsome, despite its height which traditionally counted against it.
c. 1850-1870

CHESTS  straight-fronted
An early mahogany chest. The top moulding is the simple half-round which together with the bold high bracket feet can be found on later walnut examples. Fine cut-out handles which could be original. With good patination a fine piece. c.1740-1750
A good quality mahogany chest with fine faded patination. Signs of quality are the recessed top moulding (made up of the Chippendale moulding with an additional curve below), the chamfered corners with a vertical bead decoration and stop end at the bottom, and the finely moulded ogee feet. c. 1760
Typical of a group of chests with Chippendale moulding, brushing slides and ogee feet of good quality
dense grained (though the photograph exaggerates it)    385 The recessed quarter-round fluted pillar, the use of mahogany. The best ones have reeded canted corners which    white stringing lines and strange little decorations at the help the price. Size of course is critical to price.    bottom suggest late eighteenth century provincial workmanship. c.1750-1760
A plain mahogany chest on typical mid-century bracket feet with original swan-neck handles; the drawers have cockbeading. A design which was used for oak and proportions.
Ivory inlay keyholes usually go with stamped brass plates.
c. 1760-1780A simple small well-faded mahogany chest with well-made splay feet and apron and the unusual feature of portrait brasses. The square flat moulding on the top with a simple crossbanding and black stringing line to emphasise it suggests a later date.mc. 1800
Well figured and with slightly stilted splay feet (compare with 388 below). The apron with the shaping repeated around the sides is a pleasing feature. Overall good quality reflected in the fine section mouldings.
c. 1780
As with the bow-fronted chests so here is a small late example which might ‘improve’. One can visualise an effort to turn it into 388. cockbeading, splay feet, apron, and flat moulding. Apart from the pine drawer linings (and maybe even pine sides) what will give it away is the ‘flash Alf’ use of the matching grain. Look at the preceding three pages and notice that in the rare case where a matched grain is used, as in 374, it is done with restraint. In any event the original buns will have left big round holes which will raise
question marks. It really ought to be appreciated in its own right.
Late 19th century In top showroom condition mahogany  sides and with brass handles
Rough condition and pine sides