Summary:
• Item: Secretaire Chest on Chest
• Circa: 1780
• Period: Georgian
• Provenance: England, UK
• Wood: Solid oak
• Moulded cornice
• Fluted quarter columns to corners
• 8 graduated drawers in total
• Oak lined drawers
• Hand dovetailed drawers
• Moulded beaded drawer fronts
• Old replacement brass swan neck handles & fretwork escutcheons
• Original working drawer locks (with working key)
• Locking pull-out secretaire with fall disguised as drawer front
• Brass fall retention hooks
• Brass folding fall support stays
• Shaped oak side supports
• 6 internal pigeonhole slots
• 6 internal drawers
• 2 vertical reeded secret drawers
• Central ‘cubby hole’ with locking door
• Secret locking drawer within ‘cubby hole’, disguised as trim
• Original bracket feet
• Lovely colour & patination
• Good condition
• Dismantles into 2 sections
• Ideal for clothes storage
• Free delivery to mainland England, Wales & Southern Scotland*
• Free 14-day UK returns policy
Description:
This is an excellent quality antique English Georgian solid oak secretaire chest on chest of drawers, boasting a lovely colour, circa 1780, in excellent condition. The chest comprises a moulded cornice to the top section, with fluted quarter columns to the corners of the top and base section. The chest consists of two halves with a moulded waist to the base section. The top section is smaller than the bottom section, with a proportionately balanced waist. The chest features a total of 8 drawers, with 3 smaller drawers and 2 full-width drawers to the top section, and a further 3 drawers to the base section. The drawers are oak lined, constructed with hand dovetail joints and finished with moulded fronts. They also retain their original working locks, with working key, and feature old replacement brass swan neck handles & fretwork escutcheons. Disguised as a third full-width drawer to the top section, is a locking pull-out secretaire section. The ‘drawer front’ fall is secured by brass hooks on either side and opens to form a writing surface, held in place by folding brass stays. The writing surface is also flanked by shaped oak brackets. The secretaire section boasts a total of 6 pigeonhole slots, above 6 drawers with scribe moulded fronts and brass knobs, either side of a ‘cubby hole’ with a locking door, which retains the original lock and its own separate key. The ‘cubby hole’ is flanked by two reeded vertical secret drawers. The secret vertical drawers can be opened by reaching inside the corresponding pigeonhole of each side, where a finger can be inserted into a small opening in the lining, to flick open the drawers. The interior of the ‘cubby hole’ itself also includes another secret drawer, to the top, disguised as decorative trim. This drawer is perfect for important documents or valuables, as it is especially convoluted to access; the secretaire section must be pushed back in its place, as if to stow it, and the drawer immediately above must be completely removed. Once this has been done, a peg becomes accessible inside the now empty drawer slot, to the bottom of the lining, towards the rear. Removing the peg unlocks the secret drawer (see photos). The bottom section terminates on a simple moulded apron, terminating on its original moulded bracket feet. The chest retains its original backboards. The item is a two-piece chest; it dismantles into two sections for easy transport and access into the house. This is an ideal item for the bedroom or landing as it provides significant storage space for clothes, as well as a space-saving solution for an at-home workspace.
The chest boasts a stunning rich oak oxblood colour. It has a fantastic colour and patination; this can only be achieved through age and years of care and cleaning it has received.
This Georgian secretaire chest on chest of drawers would look superb in a variety of rooms from the hallway, to the living room or bedroom and is very useful as there are so many storage drawers. This item would certainly grace any home. So, don’t miss out on your chance to own a lovely piece of furniture.
Dimensions:
External Height = 164.5cm or 64¾” or 5ft 4¾”
Top Section Height = 88.7cm or 35” or 2ft 11”
Top Section Width = 112.3cm or 44¼” or 3ft 8¼”
Top Section Depth = 56cm or 22” or 1ft 10”
Base Height = 77cm or 30¼” or 2ft 6¼”
Base Width = 113.2cm or 44⅝” or 3ft 8⅝”
Base Depth = 55cm or 21⅝” or 1ft 9⅝”
Writing Height = 82.3cm or 32⅜” or 2ft 8⅜”
Writing Width = 90.3cm or 35½” or 2ft 11½”
Writing Depth = 41cm or 16⅛” or 1ft 4⅛”
Knee Height = 80.3cm or 31⅝” or 2ft 7⅝”
Condition Report:
This Georgian oak Secretaire chest of drawers is in excellent overall condition. Nominal old use marks to the leading edges, frame, sides, drawer bottoms, and writing surface, but nothing significant considering the age of the item. The chest on chest has been traditionally French polished by hand in our workshop, to a professional standard, therefore, the finish, colour and patination is of an excellent standard. The original oak lined drawers are constructed with quality hand dovetail joints, around a moulded drawer frame. The drawer fronts are decorated with old replacement quality brass swan neck handles and fretwork backplates. The drawers close flush to the frame and retain their original working locks (with key).
The Secretaire compartment pulls out smoothly and locks; the interior is complete with its secret locking drawers, and is not missing any sections.
The chest stands on its original bracket feet and incorporates the original backboards. The chest is well constructed, solid in joint, does not wobble and is ready to be used.
Terms & Conditions:
Before you purchase this item, please ensure you have read and are in agreement with our Terms & Conditions of Sale. If you have any questions regarding our Terms & Conditions of Sale, please contact us to discuss them, before purchasing this item.
Ref. 50668