A Handsome George III Mahogany Bachelors Chest of Drawers c.1770

SOLD
Origin: English
Period: George III
Provenance: Unknown
Date: c.1770
Height: 32.25”
Width: 32.75”
Depth: 19.5” or 28.75” with brushing slide (all at top)

The early George III period rich mahogany carcass of diminutive proportions with a fabulous overall colour, the caddy top over a typical bachelor type Georgian arrangement of four graduated and cockbeaded long drawers and brushing slide to the top, with the original unusual brass drop handles and escutcheons to each and original planked back, the whole sitting on tall bracket feet.

The condition proves very sound. The drawers which are oak lined glide smoothly, the whole proves sturdy and in good original order with a super colour. The bracket feet are all original, with one repair to a crack to one rear foot, whilst the handles appear to be original which is appealing. The overall colour and finish is not 100% perfectly consistent but we find this appealing and it feels lived in without being over restored. We have waxed her to retain the current patina and finish.

Although the term ‘bachelors chest’ came to mean any small chest of drawers, originally the bachelor's chest was a multi-purpose piece of furniture, perfect for a single gentleman occupying a small bachelor's pad. English in original and small, shallow and relatively low they always have three to four drawers, usually graduated; with the first examples dating from the late 17th century whereby the the top was hinged, and could fold out to become a writing surface. The brushing slide was used from folding clothes to writing notes.

Quality and proportion here are king.
image/svg+xml