A 2026 Guide by Sellingantiques
18th Century Inlaid Walnut and Satinwood Chest of Drawers, 18th Century
Priced at £1,250 from Elmgarden
Evolved from the basic coffer during the seventeenth century as household wardrobes expanded to include more folded linens.
Look at how early versions often sit on large bun feet while featuring thick geometric veneers.
The inlaid chest of drawers achieved its greatest technical complexity later in Georgian England, when makers gained access to imported exotic woods.
Crossbanding eventually became a standard practice to frame drawer fronts.
Documenting specific workshops isn't easy for most domestic furniture of this period because makers rarely signed their work.
Largely an anonymous trade once you look outside the major capital cities.
Regional craftsmen relied heavily on published pattern books to replicate fashionable London designs for their local clients, adapting them to suit regional tastes.
18th Century Inlaid Walnut Chest of Drawers., 18th Century
Priced at £285 from Rupert Hitchcox Antiques
The 2026 retail price guide for Inlaid Chest Of Drawers is drawn from a proprietary archive of over 1.1 million retail prices indexed by Sellingantiques since 2003. This guide relies exclusively on their own internal data; no external sources or auction records are used.
Analysing nearly 25 years of UK antique market history alongside current retail values, the data indicates that typical UK retail prices for Inlaid Chest Of Drawers range between £800 and £3,800. Entry-level prices generally fall under £800 and premium examples upwards of £3,800.
Flush surfaces dominate the design since the decorative work sits physically within the wood rather than being applied over it.
Check the proportions for graduated drawers that get noticeably deeper towards the base of the unit, helping to balance the visual weight.
Contrasting border woods frequently outline the top edge and frame the drawer perimeters.
Antique Inlaid Mahogany Chest of Drawers, Edwardian
Priced at £650 from Penderyn Antiques
Early patterns were cut down directly into solid wood using sharp chisels.
Gluing thin sheets of expensive timber over cheaper base wood became a standard practice that allowed for much more complex geometric designs.
Turn the piece round to see rough pit-sawn backboards held in place by forged iron nails.
"Hot sand scorched the edges of early wooden floral patterns to create a subtle three-dimensional shadow effect without using any stain."
"Craftsmen sometimes chose bone or mother-of-pearl for the tiny keyhole surrounds instead of brass."
"Imagine slicing a single piece of timber down the middle and opening it like a novel to create symmetrical book-matched fronts."
Based on almost 25 years of Sellingantiques UK antique market data, Inlaid Chest Of Drawers appeared 2321 times (out of 1,100,000 antiques) which gives it a rarity score of 63/100.
This score measures scarcity within the Sellingantiques archive only and is not a survey of the entire antiques market, so these statistics may not be indicative of the general availability of Inlaid Chest Of Drawers elsewhere.
Pull gently from both handles at once. If it resists, try pushing it back in slightly to realign the runners.
Humidity causes carcase wood to swell. This traps the moving parts.
You might need to wait for a drier season or run a candle stub along the wooden glides.
Yes, you can wax straight over the patterns. A light coat of microcrystalline paste works well across the whole front.
Just leave it for ten minutes and you'll find it buffs off gently.
Don't use oil on veneered surfaces. The liquid can seep through the hairline cracks in the old finish and dissolve the animal glue holding the pattern down.
Stick to paste wax applied with a soft cloth. It feeds the surface safely without risking structural damage to the woodwork.
Keep the piece away from direct heat sources like radiators. Sudden drops in humidity cause the secondary wood to shrink, which stresses the decorative surface.
Place a small bowl of water underneath the carcase during winter. It provides just enough local moisture to stop the oldest timbers from drying out too fast.
Please note: This Inlaid Chest Of Drawers guide and its associated pricing data are provided for general informational purposes only. It does not constitute formal financial, investment, or appraisal advice and should not be relied upon as the sole basis for any commercial activity, purchasing, or sales decisions. Sellingantiques.co.uk accepts no liability for any actions taken in reliance on this information. Always consult with a qualified professional or independent appraiser.
