Object Description
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 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 example is well figured in walnut, giving it a warmth
and it retains a lovely colour 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)