Webberley Antiques has dated this piece to the 1700s.
This is a really good and early chest on stand, well made by hand in around 1730.
Very heavy and robust, the chest has a lovely rich colour and retains its original snaped brass handles and escutcheons, hand engraved with geometric forms and with softly rounded wear and colour consistent with age but all in perfect and strong condition. The cabriole legs to front and back are original also, hand carved in solid oak and, as with the whole piece, morticed and peg jointed. The legs have an attractive fluted detail to the knee and terminate in solid wide pad feet. The drawers open smoothly and close properly and are robust with clean strong interiors. The bases of the upper drawers have been professionally replaced - this is common in early chests as the thin oak planking used would often wear down with use over the centuries and shrink a little until it would start to give. The replacements appear original and we mention this for completeness only. The bottom two drawers retain their original oak planked bases in good solid order. .
We have not found any evidence of woodworm but, as with all our furniture, the chest and stand have been treated. There is a small and well blended professional repair to one corner of the top right drawer which is extremely hard to notice even on close inspection. In very good original condition with only minor marks and dings. A handsome, heavy piece.
Lovely double oak moulding to the stand which runs above the legs and around both sides and again where the upper drawer section sits into the stand.
The chest has a fabulously rich colour and patination, the carcase, side and top planks showing the colour quarter flashes of a fruitwood, most probably applewood and all with a good waxed finish.
A really good piece of Georgian cabinet work and a testament to the maker that it will still be going strong for centuries to come.
Dimensions are: 59 inches high, 39 inches wide at feet and 37 inches wide at top, 21 inches deep. 16 inches from floor to highest edge of the stand.
The upper section of two short and three long drawers lifts off the single drawer stand for transport.
Webberley Antiques has dated this piece to the 1700s.
Specialists in 18th century and earlier furniture for more than 45 years
You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Webberley Antiques Profile Page
George II Oak & Applewood Chest on Stand C. 1730
