A Very Attractive And Good Quality Early 18th Century Queen Anne Period Walnut Chest, Of Rich Colour And Surface Throughout, The Well Figured Quarter Veneered Top With Featherbanded Decoration, Over Two Short And Three Long Highly Figured Drawers, With Replacement Old Brass Plate Handles, Flanked By Attractive Figured And Crossbanded Ends, Raised On Replacement Turned Bun Feet.

Towards the end of the 17th century, and at the start of the 18th century, as cabinet makers became more skilled and more decorative woods became available to them then the very best in their field sought to find ways to show off and heavily decorate what could once have been regarded as plain, functional items of furniture. A result of which is the production of wonderfully figured and decorated chests of drawers like this.

This is a great example of an early 18th century walnut veneered chest of drawers, with great detail paid to the choice of walnut veneers and their figuring. You often find that when so much effort has been put into the decorative feel of the piece, then the quality of construction is lacking, but there is certainly no danger of that here with this wonderful chest.

Another feature of real note and rarity is the top left hand drawer. It has no lock and has never had a lock, initially appearing to be some kind of false drawer, until one realises that actually you just need to pop a little wooden spring catch from the underneath (with the below drawer open slightly) to allow it to open.

Its worth noting as well of course that on many of these chests from this period very little effort was made to decorate the sides, but the sides on this chest of drawers are nicely figured and banded, meaning it is just as attractive even when approached from the side.

The brass handles are replacements, but are of appropriate quality and design for the chest and sit well on it.

The turned bun feet have been replaced at some point in its history, but this is very, very common on items of this age and its great that they have been replaced with examples which suit the piece and sit well on it.

There are working locks and keys for three of the four drawers which require them, with just the second drawer up featuring a lock that doesn’t work as it is stuck to open, so this doesn’t affect functionality at all.

There are no aesthetically displeasing condition issues of any kind, remarkable really considering that the chest is over 300 years old!

As with all items which we offer for sale this chest of drawers has been attended to by our highly skilled, traditional antique furniture restorers, ensuring that it is very much ready to be placed immediately into the home.

Circa 1710.

Height 36in.
Width 39.5in.
Depth 23in.