A fine, early-18th century walnut-veneered chest-on-stand

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Reference

10394

two short and three long drawers, with boxwood stringing, crossbanded with walnut and faced with cockbead mouldings, the locks, escutcheons and handles original. The shaped stand with three short drawers, with boxwood stringing, crossbanded with walnut, and faced with cockbead mouldings, the locks and handles original. Standing on cabriole legs ending in pad feet. The sides crossbanded. Pine carcass. Excellent configuration, original colour and patina. Minor repairs to veneers. English, second quarter of the 18th century. 5077866.

This superb piece has survived in excellent condition, and the finely, configured veneers have developed outstanding colour and patina over time.

By the fourth quarter of the 17th century the gain, from a practical standpoint, of elevating the lower drawers, of chests of drawers, from the ground had been recognised. Chests of drawers made in oak, and subsequently walnut were mounted on stands with spiral, twisted or turned baluster supports. During the first quarter of the 18th century the style of the legs on these stands evolved into the fashionable cabriole form, and the stretchers disappeared. These chests-on-stands were generally simple in design, veneered with finely-configured walnut on a pine carcass, and from about 1730 a cock-bead is often worked in the edges of the drawers.

Contrasts of tone were contrived in the walnut veneers which were often crossbanded with a lighter wood. The tops of these tall pieces of furniture, being above eye level, were seldom veneered.

In trade catalogues of the second half of the 18th century chests are entirely subordinated to commodes reflecting the craze for French fashions at the time.

Small chests of drawers, of a standard height, on short, cabriole leg stands are occasionally found although they are not illustrated in contemporary trade catalogues

All prices exclude custom clearance fees which, where appropriate, will be charged directly to the client by your receiving courier, importer or government.
Height 152 cm / 60"
Width 102 cm / 40 "
Depth 57 cm / 22 "
Period

18th Century

Year

1725

Medium

Walnut

Country

England

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