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ID #SA912446
FOR SALE
£1,650
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Antique Druce & Co. Wellington Chest
For sale by John Howkins Antiques
for sale €1,931     $2,096
£1,650

John Howkins Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Sep 2010
Browse dealers 477 items
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Id #SA912446
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Antique Druce & Co. Wellington Chest

19th century
Description

A good quality Victorian mahogany secretaire Wellington chest from the renown workshops of Druce & Co. of London. The rectangular shaped and square edged top above the moulded edged frieze. The chest having the appearance of 7 graduated mahogany drawers of which the 3rd and 4th drawers are hinged and open to reveal a well fitted secretaire. The interior having 2 birds eye maple drawers below 4 pigeonholes and tooled green leather writing surface. The stiles having moulded detail and turned corbels the right one being the hinged locking bar with brass escutcheon and key. The whole raised on a plinth base with mahogany linings and dovetailed joints throughout. In very good condition with original patina. Dimensions:- Height…47’’/ 120cm. Width…22.5’’/ 57cm. Depth…15.25’’/ 38.5cm. Delivery to most of U.K. mainland £55.

Date of Manufacture

John Howkins Antiques has dated this Antique Mahogany Wellington Chest to the 1870s.

Independent Date Guide ID 07387122
Dealer's Item Date1870s
Sellingantiques Date1870s
Sellingantiques agingItem 140-170 years old
ResultsDates match
Why Sellingantiques dated this piece to THE 1870s:
Stamped brass label for Druce & Co: Baker Street cabinet makers active then.
Hand-cut drawer dovetails with narrow pins: fine bench work before machine jointing.
Slotted screws on the brass hinges: fasteners made before modern cross-head screws.
Bird's-eye maple on inner drawers: contrasting light timber favoured by Victorian cabinet makers.
Hinged right-hand pilaster: traditional locking bar mechanism securing every drawer together.

This Independent Date Guide was compiled by Sellingantiques using its own proprietary system. It works only from the photographs shown on this page and is never told the date the dealer has declared. It is a guide, not a guarantee of age, and occasional errors can occur.

Physical Dimensions
Height
120cm (47.24")
Width
57cm (22.44")
Depth
38.5cm (15.16")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA912446
Dealers Internal Reference
23353
Dealers Notes

ALL TRADE ENQUIRIES WELCOME.

Viewing by appointment.

Delivery.

We will gladly provide a quote for delivery to any U.K Mainland address and we offer a full 7 day money back guarantee if you are unhappy with your purchase. (Less the delivery cost)

Payment.

We accept payment by cheque or bank transfer.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you require any further information on this item on 07770 311611.

Description
A good quality Victorian mahogany secretaire Wellington chest from the renown workshops of Druce & Co. of London. The rectangular shaped and square edged top above the moulded edged frieze.
“
The chest having the appearance of 7 graduated mahogany drawers of which the 3rd and 4th drawers are hinged and open to reveal a well fitted secretaire.
John Howkins Antiques

The interior having 2 birds eye maple drawers below 4 pigeonholes and tooled green leather writing surface. The stiles having moulded detail and turned corbels the right one being the hinged locking bar with brass escutcheon and key. The whole raised on a plinth base with mahogany linings and dovetailed joints throughout. In very good condition with original patina. Dimensions:- Height…47’’/ 120cm. Width…22.5’’/ 57cm. Depth…15.25’’/ 38.5cm. Delivery to most of U.K. mainland £55.

Date of Manufacture

John Howkins Antiques has dated this Antique Mahogany Wellington Chest to the 1870s.

Independent Date Report ID 07387122
Dealer's Item Date1870s
Sellingantiques dating1870s
Sellingantiques agingItem 140-170 years old
ResultsDates match
Why Sellingantiques dated this piece to the 1870s:
Stamped brass label for Druce & Co: Baker Street cabinet makers active then.
Hand-cut drawer dovetails with narrow pins: fine bench work before machine jointing.
Slotted screws on the brass hinges: fasteners made before modern cross-head screws.
Bird's-eye maple on inner drawers: contrasting light timber favoured by Victorian cabinet makers.
Hinged right-hand pilaster: traditional locking bar mechanism securing every drawer together.

This is an independent date report produced by Sellingantiques using its own proprietary system. The process uses the photographs shown on this page. The system is never told the date the dealer has declared. This report shows that the two dates corroborate.

Height
120cm (47.24")
Width
57cm (22.44")
Depth
38.5cm (15.16")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA912446
Dealers Internal Ref
23353
John Howkins Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Sep 2010
Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the John Howkins Antiques Profile Page

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SAVE
Victorian flame mahogany Wellington chest with an open drop-front secretaire drawer displaying a green leather writing surface.
1 / 11
Archive I Victorian flame mahogany Wellington chest with an open drop-front secretaire drawer displaying a green leather writing surface.

Antique Druce & Co. Wellington Chest

Archive II Victorian flame mahogany Wellington chest with an open drop-front secretaire drawer displaying a green leather writing surface. View II
Archive III Victorian flame mahogany Wellington chest with an open drop-front secretaire drawer displaying a green leather writing surface. View III
Archive IV Victorian flame mahogany Wellington chest with an open drop-front secretaire drawer displaying a green leather writing surface. View IV
Archive V Victorian flame mahogany Wellington chest with an open drop-front secretaire drawer displaying a green leather writing surface. View V
Archive VI Victorian flame mahogany Wellington chest with an open drop-front secretaire drawer displaying a green leather writing surface. View VI
Archive VII Victorian flame mahogany Wellington chest with an open drop-front secretaire drawer displaying a green leather writing surface. View VII
Archive VIII Victorian flame mahogany Wellington chest with an open drop-front secretaire drawer displaying a green leather writing surface. View VIII
Archive IX Victorian flame mahogany Wellington chest with an open drop-front secretaire drawer displaying a green leather writing surface. View IX
Archive X Victorian flame mahogany Wellington chest with an open drop-front secretaire drawer displaying a green leather writing surface. View X
Archive XI Victorian flame mahogany Wellington chest with an open drop-front secretaire drawer displaying a green leather writing surface. View XI
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John Howkins Antiques
Telephone 01508 498335 or 07770 311 611
Location
The Grange
Hempnall Green
Norfolk
NR15 2NR
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/jhowkins
Verified Since Sep 2010
Items For Sale 477
Items Sold 3,847
John Howkins Antiques
Verified Since Sep 2010
View Dealer Info
Location: The Grange, Hempnall Green, Norfolk, NR15 2NR, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/jhowkins
Verified
Sep 2010
For Sale
477
Sold
3,847
Victorian flame mahogany Wellington chest with an open drop-front secretaire drawer displaying a green leather writing surface.
Antique Druce & Co. Wellington Chest
Ref: SA912446
Victorian flame mahogany Wellington chest with an open drop-front secretaire drawer displaying a green leather writing surface.
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Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectChest of Drawers
  • Period19th century
  • StyleVictorian
  • MaterialMahogany, Leather, Brass
  • ColourWarm Brown
  • MotifsHinged side locking bar, Drop-front secretaire drawer, Green tool-leather inset, Turned wooden knob handles
  • SizeH 120 cm (47 in) x W 57 cm (22 in) x D 38.5 cm (15 in)

This Victorian gentleman's library Wellington chest from Druce & Co. is constructed from warm brown flame mahogany with brass hardware and sits on a plinth base. The rectangular top has square edges above a moulded frieze, and the stiles display moulded detail with turned wooden corbels. The right stile acts as a hinged side locking bar with a brass escutcheon. The exterior gives the appearance of seven graduated drawers with turned wooden knob handles, while the third and fourth drawers form a drop-front secretaire. The drop-front opens to reveal an interior fitted with four pigeonholes above two bird's-eye maple drawers, complemented by a green tooled leather writing surface. Dovetailed joints and mahogany linings complete the construction. Measuring 120 cm high, 57 cm wide, and 38.5 cm deep, this compact cabinet functions well in a home study or traditional library for correspondence, paperwork, and display use.

FAQs

Named after the First Duke of Wellington, a Wellington chest is a tall, narrow chest of drawers featuring a hinged side pilaster flap that locks all drawers simultaneously using a single key mechanism.

Victorian Wellington chests are constructed primarily from solid flame mahogany or walnut, featuring brass hinges and escutcheons, hand-cut dovetail drawer joints, and gold-tooled leather writing surfaces within secretary drawers.

Authentic pieces exhibit hand-sawn dovetail joints, original brass side hinges on the locking bar, natural wood oxidisation on drawer linings, and occasionally maker stamps from established firms such as Druce & Co.

Due to its vertical proportions and narrow footprint, a Wellington chest functions well in a home library, hallway, or study to provide compact drawer storage and an occasional writing station.

Apply a clear natural beeswax polish to timber surfaces annually to prevent timber shrinkage, position the item away from direct radiators, and wipe leather insets with a dry microfibre cloth.
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