A Good Quality And Charming Early 19th Century Mahogany Miniature Chest, Having Well Figured Top Over Three Long Drawers With Original Brass Knobs And Boxwood Inlaid Escutcheons, Over Elegant Shaped Apron With Original Splayed Bracket Feet.

There is regular debate over whether miniature furniture was made as an apprentice piece, which is when a craftsmen who was looking for a job at a workshop would create something to showcase their talents. Or whether it was made as a travelling salesmans sample piece, which is when a few items were produced as scale models but a well established workshop as a form of physical catalogue in advance of a travelling salesman’s road trip around the country, for him to use to try and fill his order book with full size counterparts.

We believe that this particular little Georgian Miniature Chest was probably made as an apprentice piece, due to the relative simplicity of it, combined with the exceptional execution, which maybe suggests that somebody was very much trying to impress somebody else. It is also slightly unusual in form, which again suggests it was made more as a one off item with a specific purpose, as opposed to a scale model of other items.

It is certainly a charming piece of antique miniature furniture however and in good condition, ready to be placed straight into the home. It would work wonderfully on top of a dressing table, or full size chest of drawers, in a bedroom for storage of cuff links, jewellery or similar small but valuable items.

Circa 1800.

Height 11.5in.
Width 14in.
Depth 8.5in.