A very fine quality mid-19th century burr walnut wellington
Chest having well figured quarter veneered top over eight
Drawers with replacement brass handles flanked by pilasters
With attractive carved decoration raised on original plinth

(It is widely believed that the first Duke of Wellington, Arthur
Wellesley, commissioned the first chest of this type, with a tall
bank of drawers secured by just one single hinged locking
pilaster to take with him and carry around various different
battlefields. From circa 1820 onwards many variations on a
similar theme can be found and they can vary wildly in terms
of both the quality of construction and the timbers used both
externally and internally. This particular example is superbly
figured in high grade burr walnut veneers and it retains a
superb colour and patina. It has clearly been well loved and
well used throughout the many years of its life demonstrating
just what a functional piece of furniture it is. Another major
advantage of this type of chest is the fact it offers a slightly
different and more unusual perspective to a room in terms of
height and proportion and also of course the drawers are most
useful indeed for items those smaller items which you don’t
want lost at the bottom of more standard larger drawers).