What is a Georgian chest on chest?

A Georgian chest on chest, also known as a tallboy, is a two-part wooden storage cabinet featuring an upper chest of drawers fitted atop a slightly wider lower chest base. Originating in the eighteenth century, these pieces maximised vertical storage space while showcasing elegant English cabinetmaking proportions.

What materials were traditionally used to construct an 18th-century chest on chest?

Eighteenth-century examples were typically constructed from solid mahogany, walnut, or oak, utilising hand-cut dovetail joints and pine secondary timbers. Hardware generally featured cast brass handles with pierced backplates alongside bracket feet.

How can you identify an authentic George III chest on chest?

Authentic George III pieces feature hand-sawn secondary drawer linings, hand-planed surfaces, and hand-cut dovetails. Examining the waist moulding, drawer dividers, and natural oxidisation on drawer bottoms helps confirm original eighteenth-century manufacture.

How do you style an antique chest on chest in a modern interior?

Position the piece against a focal wall in a bedroom, hall, or living room to anchor the architecture of the space. Complement the tall silhouette by balancing it with contemporary artwork or minimalist lighting.

How should a painted antique mahogany chest on chest be maintained?

Keep the item away from direct sunlight and heat sources to prevent paint flaking and timber movement. Dust regularly with a soft microfibre cloth and avoid using harsh chemical polishes on the painted surface.

for sale €4,212 $4,572

£3,600

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Georgian Tallboy Cabinet

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18th Century Georgian Period - George III Painted Mahogany Chest on Chest with Secretaire

Name: 18th Century Georgian Period - George III Painted Mahogany Chest on Chest with Secretaire
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1223569
Price: 3600 GBP
Availability: InStock

18th century

For Sale by Whites Antiques

Description

A refined Georgian painted mahogany chest on chest with secretaire drawer, original brass fittings and a carefully layered specialist antique finish

At a Glance - Appeal, Desirability & Collectibility

• Date: 18th Century Georgian period,

• Origin: England

• Material: Solid old-growth mahogany

• Configuration: Upper chest with two short drawers over three long drawers; lower chest with secretaire drawer over two deep drawers

• Construction: Traditional Georgian cabinetmaking with original structure retained

• Drawers: Hand-dovetailed, cockbeaded oak-lined drawers retaining their original finely cast brass handles and escutcheons, enhancing its period character and authenticity

• Later Finish: Hand-painted Specialist Distressed Mottled Chalky Antique Coral finish

• Condition: Excellent condition, structurally sound, with characterful surface finish and gentle wear consistent with age and decorative treatment

• Dimensions: H:183cm (72.0in) | W:111cm (43.7in) | D: 54cm (21.3in)

• Delivery is not included - please use the Request Delivery Quote feature before completing your order

• Desirability:

• A classic and highly collectible Georgian furniture form

• Elegant proportions rooted firmly in 18th-century design

• Original finely cast brass handles and escutcheons, enhancing its period character and authenticity

• Carefully reimagined surface treatment that respects the original structure

• Practical storage combined with strong decorative presence

Timeless Georgian Elegance - Form, Function & History

A handsome late Georgian George III mahogany chest on chest, also known as a tallboy, dating to circa 1820 and retaining its original architectural form. The piece is divided into two sections by a moulded waist. The upper chest features a moulded cornice above two short drawers and three long, graduating drawers, all flanked by canted corners that lend subtle architectural refinement. The lower section incorporates a secretaire drawer above two deep, oak-lined drawers and stands on its original shaped bracket feet.

All drawers retain their original finely cast brass handles and escutcheons, reinforcing both authenticity and period integrity. The piece separates into two sections for ease of transport and placement, as intended in its original design. Generous in scale yet well balanced, this tallboy offers excellent storage while maintaining the restrained elegance that defines Georgian furniture.

Physical Dimensions

Height

183cm (72.05")

Width

111cm (43.70")

Depth

54cm (21.26")

Declaration

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

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1223569

Dealers Internal Reference

AS047

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

A refined Georgian painted mahogany chest on chest with secretaire drawer, original brass fittings and a carefully layered specialist antique finish

At a Glance - Appeal, Desirability & Collectibility

• Date: 18th Century Georgian period,

fig 1. An eighteenth-century Georgian chest on chest with a distressed terracotta painted finish, brass pierced handles, and bracket feet. — fig 1. 18th Century Georgian Period - George III Painted Mahogany Chest on Chest with Secretaire

• Origin: England

• Material: Solid old-growth mahogany

“

• Configuration: Upper chest with two short drawers over three long drawers; lower chest with secretaire drawer over two deep drawers.

Whites Antiques

• Construction: Traditional Georgian cabinetmaking with original structure retained

fig 2. An eighteenth-century Georgian chest on chest with a distressed terracotta painted finish, brass pierced handles, and bracket feet. — fig 2. 18th Century Georgian Period - George III Painted Mahogany Chest on Chest with Secretaire

• Drawers: Hand-dovetailed, cockbeaded oak-lined drawers retaining their original finely cast brass handles and escutcheons, enhancing its period character and authenticity

• Later Finish: Hand-painted Specialist Distressed Mottled Chalky Antique Coral finish

fig 3. An eighteenth-century Georgian chest on chest with a distressed terracotta painted finish, brass pierced handles, and bracket feet. — fig 3. 18th Century Georgian Period - George III Painted Mahogany Chest on Chest with Secretaire

• Condition: Excellent condition, structurally sound, with characterful surface finish and gentle wear consistent with age and decorative treatment

• Dimensions: H:183cm (72.0in) | W:111cm (43.7in) | D: 54cm (21.3in)

fig 4. An eighteenth-century Georgian chest on chest with a distressed terracotta painted finish, brass pierced handles, and bracket feet. — fig 4. 18th Century Georgian Period - George III Painted Mahogany Chest on Chest with Secretaire

• Delivery is not included - please use the Request Delivery Quote feature before completing your order

• Desirability:

• A classic and highly collectible Georgian furniture form

• Elegant proportions rooted firmly in 18th-century design

fig 5. An eighteenth-century Georgian chest on chest with a distressed terracotta painted finish, brass pierced handles, and bracket feet. — fig 5. 18th Century Georgian Period - George III Painted Mahogany Chest on Chest with Secretaire

• Original finely cast brass handles and escutcheons, enhancing its period character and authenticity

• Carefully reimagined surface treatment that respects the original structure

• Practical storage combined with strong decorative presence

fig 6. An eighteenth-century Georgian chest on chest with a distressed terracotta painted finish, brass pierced handles, and bracket feet. — fig 6. 18th Century Georgian Period - George III Painted Mahogany Chest on Chest with Secretaire

Timeless Georgian Elegance - Form, Function & History

A handsome late Georgian George III mahogany chest on chest, also known as a tallboy, dating to circa 1820 and retaining its original architectural form. The piece is divided into two sections by a moulded waist. The upper chest features a moulded cornice above two short drawers and three long, graduating drawers, all flanked by canted corners that lend subtle architectural refinement. The lower section incorporates a secretaire drawer above two deep, oak-lined drawers and stands on its original shaped bracket feet.

fig 7. An eighteenth-century Georgian chest on chest with a distressed terracotta painted finish, brass pierced handles, and bracket feet. — fig 7. 18th Century Georgian Period - George III Painted Mahogany Chest on Chest with Secretaire

All drawers retain their original finely cast brass handles and escutcheons, reinforcing both authenticity and period integrity. The piece separates into two sections for ease of transport and placement, as intended in its original design. Generous in scale yet well balanced, this tallboy offers excellent storage while maintaining the restrained elegance that defines Georgian furniture.