What is a Georgian chest on stand?

Originating in the 18th century, a chest on stand consists of an upper chest of drawers seated upon a separate low frame or table base, elevated to provide storage space while keeping timber away from damp floors.

What materials and construction techniques were used in 18th-century chests on stand?

These storage pieces were typically constructed from solid hardwoods such as oak, pine, or walnut, featuring hand-cut dovetail drawer joints, cast brass handles with backplates, and hand-planed back panels.

How can you identify an authentic period chest on stand?

Authentic Georgian chests display signs of hand construction, including unevenly spaced dovetail joints, tool marks on hidden surfaces, original drawer runner wear, and aged brass hardware attached with hand-cut threads.

How should a chest on stand be styled in a modern interior?

Position the piece as a focal point against a neutral wall, allowing its vertical proportion to anchor a hallway or bedroom while pairing it with understated contemporary lighting or ceramic accents.

How do you care for and preserve painted antique timber furniture?

Keep the surface clean by dusting gently with a dry microfibre cloth, avoid applying harsh chemical cleaners or silicone polishes, and maintain stable indoor humidity levels to prevent timber movement and paint flaking.

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Georgian Chest on Stand C.1760-1780 in Distressed Mottled Blue Finish

Name: Georgian Chest on Stand C.1760-1780 in Distressed Mottled Blue Finish
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1187118
Price: 1450 GBP
Availability: InStock

18th century

For Sale by Whites Antiques

Description

A handsome Georgian chest on stand of strong architectural form dating to circa1760-1780, later hand painted in a specialist distressed mottled chalky blue finish - retaining its original proportions, strong cabinetwork construction and brass hardware

At a Glance - Appeal, Desirability & Collectibility

• Date: Georgian period, circa 1760-1780

• Origin: England

• Form: Chest on stand with graduated drawers above and cupboard base

• Materials: Solid hardwood with original hand-made brass handles

• Construction: Traditional Georgian cabinetwork with robust original structure

• Finish: Later painted Distressed Mottled Chalky Blue, hand-mixed in a historically appropriate • Georgian palette

• Condition: Structurally sound with excellent original framework; surface finish professionally applied with gentle wear and patination consistent with age and sympathetic restoration

• Storage: Capacious and practical arrangement of drawers in varying sizes

• Dimensions:

• Top section height: 99cm (39")

• Base section height: 50cm (19.7")

• Overall: H: 143cm (56.3") | W: 103cm (40.6") | D: 55cm (21.7")

• Delivery: Delivery is not included. Please use the Request Delivery Quote option prior to completing your order.

• Desirability

• A classic Georgian furniture form with confident architectural presence

• Original brass hardware of correct period design and quality

• Rare combination of strong original construction with a refined later decorative finish

• Equally suited to traditional interiors or as a statement piece in contemporary settings

• Practical storage combined with clear decorative impact

Brief Historical Note - Use & Context

Chests on stand were an important development in Georgian domestic furniture, offering increased storage while elevating the chest both physically and visually within an interior. Typically used in bedrooms, dressing rooms and principal chambers, they provided organised storage for clothing, linens and personal effects, with the stand improving access and protecting the chest from damp floors.

During the Georgian period, painted furniture was widely used, particularly where refinement of colour and surface was desired. While original finishes do not survive on this piece, the later hand-painted chalky blue finish has been sensitively chosen to reflect historically appropriate palettes, allowing the chest’s strong form and original craftsmanship to remain the focus.

Physical Dimensions

Height

143cm (56.30")

Width

103cm (40.55")

Depth

55cm (21.65")

Declaration

Whites Antiques has dated this Georgian Chest on Stand to the 18th Century.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1187118

Dealers Internal Reference

WA183

Dealers Notes

We do not include delivery in our prices as this is dependent upon many factors such as whether it is mainland or overseas. The following options are available to you:-

• You can arrange your own collection from our address

• You can fill in the delivery request option

• You can email us for further information if there is more than one item

• Proovia Delivery offer a 2 man delivery system

Description

fig 1. A Georgian chest on stand with a distressed mottled blue painted finish, brass drop handles, multiple drawer tiers, and a shaped apron. — fig 1. Georgian Chest on Stand C.1760-1780 in Distressed Mottled Blue Finish

At a Glance - Appeal, Desirability & Collectibility

• Date: Georgian period, circa 1760-1780

• Origin: England

• Form: Chest on stand with graduated drawers above and cupboard base

• Materials: Solid hardwood with original hand-made brass handles

fig 2. A Georgian chest on stand with a distressed mottled blue painted finish, brass drop handles, multiple drawer tiers, and a shaped apron. — fig 2. Georgian Chest on Stand C.1760-1780 in Distressed Mottled Blue Finish

• Construction: Traditional Georgian cabinetwork with robust original structure

“

• Finish: Later painted Distressed Mottled Chalky Blue, hand-mixed in a historically appropriate • Georgian palette.

Whites Antiques

• Condition: Structurally sound with excellent original framework; surface finish professionally applied with gentle wear and patination consistent with age and sympathetic restoration

fig 3. A Georgian chest on stand with a distressed mottled blue painted finish, brass drop handles, multiple drawer tiers, and a shaped apron. — fig 3. Georgian Chest on Stand C.1760-1780 in Distressed Mottled Blue Finish

• Storage: Capacious and practical arrangement of drawers in varying sizes

• Dimensions:

• Top section height: 99cm (39")

• Base section height: 50cm (19.7")

• Overall: H: 143cm (56.3") | W: 103cm (40.6") | D: 55cm (21.7")

fig 4. A Georgian chest on stand with a distressed mottled blue painted finish, brass drop handles, multiple drawer tiers, and a shaped apron. — fig 4. Georgian Chest on Stand C.1760-1780 in Distressed Mottled Blue Finish

• Delivery: Delivery is not included. Please use the Request Delivery Quote option prior to completing your order.

• Desirability

• A classic Georgian furniture form with confident architectural presence

fig 5. A Georgian chest on stand with a distressed mottled blue painted finish, brass drop handles, multiple drawer tiers, and a shaped apron. — fig 5. Georgian Chest on Stand C.1760-1780 in Distressed Mottled Blue Finish

• Original brass hardware of correct period design and quality

• Rare combination of strong original construction with a refined later decorative finish

• Equally suited to traditional interiors or as a statement piece in contemporary settings

fig 6. A Georgian chest on stand with a distressed mottled blue painted finish, brass drop handles, multiple drawer tiers, and a shaped apron. — fig 6. Georgian Chest on Stand C.1760-1780 in Distressed Mottled Blue Finish

• Practical storage combined with clear decorative impact

Brief Historical Note - Use & Context

Chests on stand were an important development in Georgian domestic furniture, offering increased storage while elevating the chest both physically and visually within an interior. Typically used in bedrooms, dressing rooms and principal chambers, they provided organised storage for clothing, linens and personal effects, with the stand improving access and protecting the chest from damp floors.

fig 7. A Georgian chest on stand with a distressed mottled blue painted finish, brass drop handles, multiple drawer tiers, and a shaped apron. — fig 7. Georgian Chest on Stand C.1760-1780 in Distressed Mottled Blue Finish

During the Georgian period, painted furniture was widely used, particularly where refinement of colour and surface was desired. While original finishes do not survive on this piece, the later hand-painted chalky blue finish has been sensitively chosen to reflect historically appropriate palettes, allowing the chest’s strong form and original craftsmanship to remain the focus.