French Cherrywood Semainier Chest 19th Century

Name: French Cherrywood Semainier or Tall Chest
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1024715
Price: 750 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing

ObjectChests of Drawers
Period19th century
StyleFrench Provincial
MaterialCherrywood, Brass
ColourWarm Brown
MotifsSeven drawers, Brass drop handles, Ornate keyhole escutcheons, Turned feet
SizeH 135 cm (53 in) x W 96 cm (38 in) x D 40 cm (16 in)

This nineteenth-century French provincial semainier is a tall chest of drawers constructed from warm brown cherrywood. The piece has seven horizontal drawers, one for each day of the week, arranged vertically beneath a top drawer and above a bottom drawer. Each drawer is fitted with matching brass drop ring handles, ornate keyhole escutcheons, and central keyhole plates. The top and bottom central drawers display elaborate cast brass ornamental mounts featuring floral and scroll designs. The rectangular cabinet has rounded vertical front corners, simple flush sides, flat top moulding, and stands on short turned wooden feet. The chest measures 135 cm high, 96 cm wide, and 40 cm deep. In a modern interior, this practical storage item fits easily into a bedroom, dressing room, or hallway to hold folded clothing, linens, or accessories. The vertical proportions make it ideal for rooms with limited floor space while offering substantial storage capacity across its seven drawers. The warm timber tones integrate naturally into traditional or rustic schemes alongside other wooden furnishings.

FAQs

A semainier is a traditional French chest of drawers featuring seven distinct drawers, historically designed to hold a weeks worth of clothing or linen with one drawer dedicated to each day.

Traditional semainiers are constructed using solid cherrywood or cherrywood veneers, featuring hand-cut dovetail joints, cast brass escutcheons, brass drop handles, and solid timber back panels.

Authentic 19th-century French semainiers exhibit signs of hand-planed secondary timbers, hand-cast brass hardware, hand-cut dovetail construction, and natural wear along the drawer runners and keyholes.

Position the chest as a vertical focal point in a bedroom, dressing room, or hallway, pairing warm wood tones with neutral linen upholstery and modern framed art rested on the top surface.

Keep the chest away from direct heat sources and sunlight to prevent shrinkage or warping, dust regularly with a soft dry cloth, and apply a clear beeswax paste annually to nourish the timber.

Michael Youll Antiques

French Cherrywood Semainier or Tall Chest