Summary:
• Item: Chest of Drawers
• Period: William & Mary
• Wood: Oak
• Circa: 1690
• Provenance: England, UK
• Geometric design
• Bobbin frame
• Moulded panels
• Drop ring brass handles
• Brass floral key escutcheons
• Working locks & key to 2 drawers
• Hand dovetailed oak & elm lined drawers
• Inset panel sides
• Peg construction
• Bun feet
• Lovely small proportions
• Stunning original polish & patination
• Good condition
• Stunning colour & patination
• Free 14 day returns policy
This is a handsome and well-proportioned antique William & Mary oak geometric chest of drawers, circa 1690. The chest boasts a three-plank ovolo moulded top with four drawers below. The drawer fronts are decorated with mitred geometric moulded panels, flanked by a pretty moulded frame; all of which is typical of this period. The top and bottom drawer feature the same geometric design, whereas the two central drawers incorporate different designs. The drawers incorporate later brass drop ring handles against circular brass back plates (possibly Victorian in age). However, the central floral brass key escutcheons are original. The top drawer features a dummy lock (with a secret wooden spring catch on the underside of the drawer to release it). The second drawer down and lowest drawers feature working locks and key. The lowest drawer retains its original lock, whereas the other lock is a Victorian replacement.
The drawers are oak & elm lined with a primitive hand-dovetailed construction. The sides of the chest boast the original decorative inset panels, along with the original backboards. Interestingly, the original backboards have been made from earlier carved panelled timbers, possibly from wall panels or a coffer (this was common in earlier furniture, which was sometimes recycled from earlier pieces). The chest stands on its original bun feet to the front and later bun feet (possibly Victorian) to the rear, below an elegant moulded frieze. The frame of the chest has been built using the traditional peg construction method.
The chests feature a dark rich brown oak colour. As it boasts the original polish, it has a fantastic colour and patination; this can only be achieved through age and years of care and cleaning they have received.
This item would look superb in a variety of rooms, from the hallway to the bedroom. This item would certainly grace any home. So don’t miss out on your chance to own a lovely piece of furniture.
Dimensions:
Height = 91cm or 35⅞” or 2ft 11⅞”
Width = 96.8cm or 38⅛” or 3ft 2⅛”
Depth = 55.5cm or 21⅞” or 1ft 9⅞”
Condition Report:
This chest is in good condition considering the age of the item. Nominal old use marks to the leading edges but nothing significant considering the age of the item. There are no watermarks, stains or burn marks to the top of the chest. The brass drop ring handles and escutcheons are old replacements (possibly Victorian). The floral key escutcheons are original. There is a replacement working lock to the second drawer down and the lowest drawer features its original working lock. The chest comes with a working key to these two drawers. The other drawers were originally designed with dummy locks. The bun feet to the front of the chest are original, whereas the rear feet are old replacements (possibly Victorian); this is not surprising due to the age of the item and the fact that this chest would have sat on an old stone floor for a very long time. The chest features oak & elm drawer linings, with some of the linings showing some signs of historical woodworm (all drawers have been thoroughly treated). However, this is not surprising, given that this chest is over 300 years old. The sides and backboards on the chest are also original. Overall, this item is solid in joint (not loose or wobbly) and is ready to use.
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Ref. Chest of drawers 44