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ID #SA1149285
FOR SALE
£1,295
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Pair of Antique Collector's Chests, English, Specimen Cases, Victorian, C.1870
For sale by London Fine Antiques
for sale €1,515     $1,645
£1,295
London Fine Antiques

London Fine Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Oct 2010
Browse dealers 944 items
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Id #SA1149285
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Pair of Antique Collector's Chests, English, Specimen Cases, Victorian, C.1870

19th century
Description

This is a fine pair of antique collector's chests. An English, mahogany and cedar two-drawer specimen cases, dating to the Victorian period, circa 1870. A superb find for the discerning collector or enthusiast of natural history and curios.

Appealing Victorian collector’s chests, ideal for storing specimens or artefacts

Select stocks display fine grain interest and warm caramel hues

Each case features a pair of frieze form drawer fronts, giving a refined appearance

Finished with brass-lined lock escutcheons — keys absent

Internally, the drawers are crafted from quality cedar, offering a clean, dry storage environment

A tactile and attractive addition to a library, study, or collector’s room

Would also present as a fine pair of desktop storage chests

These antique specimen chests offer excellent form and function, perfectly suited to collectors of fine objects, minerals, coins, or entomological finds. A timeless pair with enduring charm and utility. Solid joints and construction, delivered ready for the home.

Dimensions:

Max Width: 39cm (15.25'')

Max Depth: 34.5cm (13.5'')

Max Height: 25.5cm (10'')

Internal Drawer Width: 29.5cm (11.5'')

Internal Drawer Depth: 26.5cm (10.5'')

Internal Drawer Height: 6.5cm (2.5'')

Physical Dimensions
Height
25.5cm (10.04")
Width
39cm (15.35")
Depth
34.5cm (13.58")
Declaration

London Fine Antiques has dated these Victorian Mahogany Specimen Cases to the Victorian era.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1149285
Dealers Internal Reference
25328
Dealers Notes

What our clients have to say: https://www.londonfine.co.uk/pages/reviews

Description
This is a fine pair of antique collector's chests.
“
An English, mahogany and cedar two-drawer specimen cases, dating to the Victorian period, circa 1870.
London Fine Antiques

A superb find for the discerning collector or enthusiast of natural history and curios.

fig 1. A pair of Victorian mahogany specimen chests with two drawers each, turned wooden handles, and plinth bases.
fig 1. Pair of Antique Collector's Chests, English, Specimen Cases, Victorian, C.1870

Appealing Victorian collector’s chests, ideal for storing specimens or artefacts

Select stocks display fine grain interest and warm caramel hues

Each case features a pair of frieze form drawer fronts, giving a refined appearance

fig 2. A pair of Victorian mahogany specimen chests with two drawers each, turned wooden handles, and plinth bases.
fig 2. Pair of Antique Collector's Chests, English, Specimen Cases, Victorian, C.1870

Finished with brass-lined lock escutcheons — keys absent

Internally, the drawers are crafted from quality cedar, offering a clean, dry storage environment

A tactile and attractive addition to a library, study, or collector’s room

fig 3. A pair of Victorian mahogany specimen chests with two drawers each, turned wooden handles, and plinth bases.
fig 3. Pair of Antique Collector's Chests, English, Specimen Cases, Victorian, C.1870

Would also present as a fine pair of desktop storage chests

These antique specimen chests offer excellent form and function, perfectly suited to collectors of fine objects, minerals, coins, or entomological finds. A timeless pair with enduring charm and utility. Solid joints and construction, delivered ready for the home.

fig 4. A pair of Victorian mahogany specimen chests with two drawers each, turned wooden handles, and plinth bases.
fig 4. Pair of Antique Collector's Chests, English, Specimen Cases, Victorian, C.1870

Dimensions:

Max Width: 39cm (15.25'')

Max Depth: 34.5cm (13.5'')

Max Height: 25.5cm (10'')

Internal Drawer Width: 29.5cm (11.5'')

Internal Drawer Depth: 26.5cm (10.5'')

Internal Drawer Height: 6.5cm (2.5'')

Height
25.5cm (10.04")
Width
39cm (15.35")
Depth
34.5cm (13.58")
Date of Manufacture

London Fine Antiques has dated these Victorian Mahogany Specimen Cases to the Victorian era.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1149285
Dealers Internal Ref
25328
London Fine Antiques
London Fine Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Oct 2010

Fine antiques curated in england and sold worldwide

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the London Fine Antiques Profile Page

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A pair of Victorian mahogany specimen chests with two drawers each, turned wooden handles, and plinth bases.
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Archive I A pair of Victorian mahogany specimen chests with two drawers each, turned wooden handles, and plinth bases.

Pair of Antique Collector's Chests, English, Specimen Cases, Victorian, C.1870

Archive II A pair of Victorian mahogany specimen chests with two drawers each, turned wooden handles, and plinth bases. View II
Archive III A pair of Victorian mahogany specimen chests with two drawers each, turned wooden handles, and plinth bases. View III
Archive IV A pair of Victorian mahogany specimen chests with two drawers each, turned wooden handles, and plinth bases. View IV
Archive V A pair of Victorian mahogany specimen chests with two drawers each, turned wooden handles, and plinth bases. View V
Archive VI A pair of Victorian mahogany specimen chests with two drawers each, turned wooden handles, and plinth bases. View VI
Archive VII A pair of Victorian mahogany specimen chests with two drawers each, turned wooden handles, and plinth bases. View VII
Archive VIII A pair of Victorian mahogany specimen chests with two drawers each, turned wooden handles, and plinth bases. View VIII
Archive IX A pair of Victorian mahogany specimen chests with two drawers each, turned wooden handles, and plinth bases. View IX
Enlarged Archival View
London Fine Antiques

London Fine Antiques
Telephone 0207 1833511
Location
The Antique Village
Hele
Exeter
Devon
EX5 4PW
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/londonfineantiques
Verified Since Oct 2010
Items For Sale 944
Items Sold 5,653
London Fine Antiques
London Fine Antiques
Verified Since Oct 2010
View Dealer Info
Location: The Antique Village, Hele, Exeter, Devon , EX5 4PW, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/londonfineantiques
Verified
Oct 2010
For Sale
944
Sold
5,653
A pair of Victorian mahogany specimen chests with two drawers each, turned wooden handles, and plinth bases.
Pair of Antique Collector's Chests, English, Specimen Cases, Victorian, C.1870
Ref: SA1149285
A pair of Victorian mahogany specimen chests with two drawers each, turned wooden handles, and plinth bases.
Detail View 1
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Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectSpecimen Cabinets
  • Period19th century
  • StyleVictorian
  • MaterialMahogany, Brass
  • ColourWarm Brown
  • MotifsTurned wooden knobs, Plinth base, Rounded corners, Flame mahogany drawer fronts
  • SizeH 25.5 cm (10 in) x W 39 cm (15 in) x D 34.5 cm (14 in)

This pair of Victorian specimen chests dates to circa 1870. English in origin, the cases are formed from select mahogany exhibiting fine grain interest and warm caramel hues, combined with cedar interiors. Each low-profile chest takes a rectangular form with rounded top corners, offering two frieze-style drawers accented by turned wooden pull knobs and brass-lined lock escutcheons without keys. The arrangement sits upon a pronounced plinth base with a moulded profile. Each chest measures 25.5 cm high, 39 cm wide, and 34.5 cm deep. Suitable for practical everyday use in a modern home, these versatile tabletop cabinets provide useful storage on a desk, sideboard, or bookcase. They fit comfortably within a study, library, or dedicated collector room, serving as secure enclosures for small artefacts, minerals, coins, or natural history specimens. The solid construction and compact proportions make them functional pieces of antique furniture designed for organised display and organisation in contemporary interiors.

FAQs

During the nineteenth century, naturalists and collectors used specimen cases to organise and protect curated collections such as botanical samples, fossils, coins, and insects.

Victorian specimen chests were typically built from fine dense hardwoods, such as mahogany, walnut, or oak, featuring dovetail joints and solid brass or wooden fittings.

Authentic pieces generally display hand-cut dovetail drawer joinery, original wood turnings, hand-finished drawer linings, and natural surface patination consistent with age.

These versatile pairs can serve as bedside tables, side table storage, or desktop organizers to introduce historical depth and rich wood tones to modern spaces.

Dust mahogany furniture with a clean, dry microfibre cloth and apply a natural beeswax polish occasionally, keeping items away from direct heat sources and excessive sunlight.
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