How do I identify splayed feet?

Splayed feet angle outwards from the base of the furniture rather than dropping straight down or resting on a plinth. They provide a subtle flare that distinguishes them from standard bracket or block feet. This design feature lifts the carcase visually and appears frequently on chests of drawers from the Georgian and Regency eras.

Where were these chests used?

These chests served primarily as bedroom furniture for storing garments, linens, and personal effects. Their generous drawer configurations accommodated the apparel of the period. Over time, collectors relocated them to hallways, living rooms, and studies to function as display surfaces and accent furniture.

What timber is most common?

Mahogany dominates the surviving inventory, appearing in both solid form and as figured veneers on primary surfaces. Oak also occurs frequently, particularly in earlier or more utilitarian carcase construction. Additional decorative timbers like satinwood and boxwood provide contrast through inlay and stringing.

How do I date a chest?

Dating relies on observing stylistic markers such as the curve of the bow front, the presence of crossbanding, and the configuration of the feet. Hepplewhite and Sheraton influences point towards the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. Construction methods, including hand-cut dovetails and timber selection, offer further clues to the period of manufacture.