A Very Good Quality 19th Century Regency Period Mahogany Miniature Bowfronted Chest, Having Extremely Well Figured Top With Crossbanded Decoration, Over Two Short And Three Long Drawers Retaining Original Brass Lions Mask Handles, Raised On Elegant Original Splayed Bracket Feet With Shaped Apron.

This fabulous little miniature chest is made using high quality, well figured timbers, which would have been expensive to purchase as raw material. It also boasts lovely little original brass handles and original feet. Almost certainly it was made as a sample piece of furniture originally.

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.

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 1820.

Height 18in.
Width 18in.
Depth 12in.