A Fine Quality Late 19th Century, Victorian Period, Figured Walnut Wellington Chest, Of Attractive Small Proportions, Having Rectangular Top Over Seven Extremely Well Figured Drawers, With Replacement Brass Ring Handles, Flanked By Pilasters Headed With Elegant Carved Corbels And Well Figured Ends, Raised On Original Plinth Base.

The first Duke of Wellington, Arthur Wellesley, commissioned the first chest of this type, i.e. a tall bank of drawers secured by hinged locking pilasters to take with him and carry around various battlefields and that is where the name wellington chest comes from. It is now used to refer to almost any tall, narrow antique chest of drawers.

From around 1820 onwards they were manufactured in a huge variety of shapes and sizes, plus they varied a great deal in terms of both their quality and the wood which they were constructed from.

This particular antique wellington chest of drawers is constructed from exceptionally well figured walnut veneers and it is really rather beautiful to look at. Another standout feature is that it is a reasonable amount smaller than the norm for this type of chest and that alone is something which makes it extremely desirable.

As always one of the big advantages with a chest of this form is that it offers a different and more unusual perspective to the room in terms of its height and proportion. Also of course the drawers are incredibly functional when used for items that you don’t wish to be buried at the bottom of the much larger drawers found in conventional antique chests of drawers.

As with all items which we offer for sale, this Victorian Wellington Chest has been attended to in the traditional manner at our workshops before being offered for sale, by our highly trained and skilled antique furniture restorers including receiving a light clean and natural wax polish to ensure that it is in its best retail condition and ready for immediate placement into the home or workplace after purchase.

Circa 1870.

Height 42.2in.
Width 20.5in.
Depth 14.5in.