Object Description
A Stunning & Exceptional Quality 19th Century Maple
And Mahogany Wellington Chest Having Superbly
Figured Top Over Six Graduated Drawers With
Replacement Brass Handles Flanked By Locking
Pilaster 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 around 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 particular example is fantastic quality and this
can be evidenced by the use of expensive ash in the drawer
linings and fabulous highly figured maple on the top and
the drawer fronts. The sides are also constructed from a high
quality mahogany. The handles are replacements, but of the
original style and design and work extremely well. One of the
great advantages 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)