catalog text
GEORGE III MAHOGANY CHEST OF DRAWERS WITH FITTED TOP DRAWER
England, circa 1800
Item # C104037
A very good chest of drawers free of excess embellishment, tidy in construction and angular in form. The choice of timbers throughout gives us some insight into the skills of the craftsman involved. It retains the original fitted top drawer that flexibly operates both as a desk, with a green felt writing surface that slides back to act as a dressing table complete with fitted boxes and an adjustable mirror. It retains original bail-pull brasses on each drawer; these feature gorgeous mahogany veneers with pleasing horizontal grain lines surrounded by applied cockbead molded edges over hand-cut dovetail joinery.
The drawer structure is typical for the period, fine pins locking the corners together, all secondary woods being a very thin-cut oak, the drawer bottom set in grooves with applied runners beneath them. As is typical in English chests, the drawers are separated by full-length dustboards behind the drawer blade, this protecting the contents of each drawer from dirt and dust falling on them as the drawer above opens and closes.
A most pleasant chest, both beautiful to look at and incredibly useful, it has aged with grace. Note the gorgeous cognac hue that has slowly developed in the mahogany along with a surface patina that is silky to the touch with nearly blackened blemishes and surface history throughout. It was built to last the test of time and, despite more than two-hundred years of life, it should continue to serve for centuries to come if well-cared for.
Measurements: 35 5/8" H x 23 1/2" D x 43 3/4" W
Condition Report:
Excellent old surface with wonderful variation/oxidization/aged blemishes throughout, not original but quite early; original brasses; no key and locks untested; some lids in the fitted drawer missing and the felt fabric is a replacement in good condition; original feet; one backboard replaced (top); several sections of cockbead molding replaced; old restored crack to back left corner of the top; old shrinkage cracks to the sides.