English Mid 19th Century Antique Walnut Wellington Chest of Drawers

A good quality mid-19th century figured walnut Wellington Chest of Drawers retaining original turned wooden knobs with double depth secretaire drawer flanked by pilasters headed with carved corbel decoration raised on original plinth base.

Legend has it that the first Duke of Wellington, Arthur Wellesley, commissioned the first chest of this type, with a tall bank of drawers secured by just one single hinged locking pilaster to take with him and carry around the various different battlefields.

From circa 1820 onwards many variations can be found varying a great deal in terms of both quality and the wood which is used both externally and internally.

This example is well figured in walnut, giving it a warmth and it retains a lovely color and patina as it has clearly been well loved as well as used throughout the years of its life.

A big advantage of this type of chest is that it can offer a slightly different and more unusual perspective to a room in terms of height and proportion and also of course the drawers are incredibly functional when used for items that you don't want to be buried at the bottom of much larger drawers as can often be the case.

Circa 1860.

Height - 52in.
Width - 22in.
Depth - 16in.

This object is eligible for a Certificate of BADA Provenance

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