Summary:

• Item: Pair of Georgian Chests
• Circa: 1980
• Style: George III
• Provenance: Shropshire, England, UK
• Wood: Burr & Figured Walnut
• Bow front design
• Hinged lid & cupboard door to one chest
• Brushing slide and drawers to one chest
• Cross-banded tops & drawer fronts
• Dovetailed drawer linings
• Cock-beaded banded drawer fronts
• Original brass handles & escutcheons
• Working brass lever locks & key
• Brass swan-neck handles
• Original bracket feet
• Lovely colour & patination
• Ideal as bedside chests or lamp tables
• Free delivery to England, Wales & southern Scotland*
• 14-day free UK returns policy

Description:

This is a fine quality vintage English pair of Georgian chests, constructed in burr walnut, with a bow fronts, circa 1980, in excellent original condition.  The design of these walnuts chests reflects the style of the late English Georgian period of 1780 – 1820. They were commonly referred to as “Bachelor Chests” because of their shallow depth, small size and comparatively low height; which were ideal for a bachelors’ home.

These walnuts chests boast stunning burr timbers to the tops and drawer fronts, with a lovely grain configuration and mellow colour. The pair of walnut chests comprise moulded and cross-banded tops, with a both bow front design; canted corners decorated with fine reeding.  The drawer fronts on both chests are decorated with cock-beading borders and figured walnut cross-banding, along with good quality Georgian style brass swan neck handles and shaped brass escutcheons.

One chest comprises a hinged lift-up lid, which opens to reveal a storage area and a set of dummy drawers below, which is in fact a hinged cupboard door that opens to reveal a large storage area.  The other chest is constructed with a brushing slide and bank of four graduated drawers below.  The four graduated drawers are constructed with dove-tail joints, mahogany linings and comprise brass lever locks, with a working key.  The drawers are mahogany lined, with dovetail construction and quality cock-beaded drawer fronts. The chests display a moulded base and terminate on the original shaped bracket feet and retain their original backboards.

The pair of Georgian chests of drawers boast a lovely mellow walnut colour – they have a fantastic colour and patination; this can only be achieved through age and years of care and cleaning they have received.

The pair of walnut chests would look superb in a variety of rooms, from the bedroom as bedsides or in the living room as lamp tables.  They would certainly grace any home. So, don’t miss out on your chance to own a lovely piece of furniture.

History of the Chest of Drawers:

In late medieval Europe, from the 13^th century onwards, the chest came into widespread use, especially in homes of the nobility. This type, also known as a coffer, was more or less a simple joined wooden box with a hinged lid. It may or may not have stood on feet. An early transitional phase was the installation of one drawer beneath this main compartment. A number of early pieces from the seventeenth century are extant of oak manufacture from England, and corresponding seventeenth-century pieces of French walnut have survived.

Some of the early surviving English specimens from the Charles I period, date to the late 16^th Century.  This period coincided with an increasing demand from the wealthiest patrons for luxury furniture and cabinet pieces, and also in an increasing number of cabinet-makers in employment.

These opulent cabinets later started filtering down to upper class and some middle-class homes.  Adam Bowett’s English Furniture 1660-1714 notes that these cabinet designs likely influenced the chests of drawers found in ‘middling’ homes from the 1670s onwards, as cabinet-makers applied developing techniques.

The better-quality chest of drawers was found in the homes of the nobility or wealthiest patrons, but then filtered down to middle-class homes.  The construction methods, use of exotic veneers and imported woods, decorative work (including crossbanding and marquetry) and hardware were used to add individual style and flair.

Source: https://lapada.org/guides/a-short-history-of-chests-of-drawers/#:~:text=Though%20they%20are%20found%20in,of%20drawers%20in%20chests%20emerged.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chest_of_drawers

Dimensions:

Height = 77.5cm / 30½” / 2ft 6½”
External Width (Plinth) = 69.5cm / 27⅜” / 2ft 3⅜”
Body Width = 66cm / 26” / 2ft 2”
Depth = 48cm / 18⅞” / 1ft 6⅞”

Condition Report:

This is a fine quality vintage English pair of Georgian chests, constructed in burr walnut, with a bow fronts, circa 1980, in excellent original condition.  The pair of walnuts chests have been cleaned and traditionally French polished by hand in our workshop, to a professional standard. They boast a lovely mellow colour.  Nominal old use marks to the leading edges and inside of drawers, but nothing significant considering the age of the item.  The drawers retain the original brass swan neck handles, escutcheons and brass lever locks (with working key) and close flush to the frame. The pair of chests of drawers stand on their original bracket feet and retain their original backboards.  They are solid in joint, do not wobble and are 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. 111324