Antique Federal Southern Walnut Tall Chest With Barber Pole Inlay & Scrollwork

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With our absolute highest compliments Bay Colony Antiques takes the utmost pleasure in offering this remarkable antique chest of drawers. … Read more With our absolute highest compliments Bay Colony Antiques takes the utmost pleasure in offering this remarkable antique chest of drawers. This antique tall chest is an exciting and rare example of an early 19th century Federal period dresser that originated in the American South. There is no question that this antique tall chest was built somewhere in the Southern U.S. however there are no strong indicators as to which particular state this dresser could have first been made. It is our strong belief that this chest was built around the bordering areas of Western Virginia and Eastern Kentucky or Eastern Tennessee during the first quarter of the 19th century. This region is home to some of the finest old growth walnut trees in the entire country and it is obvious from an examination of the case that the entirety of the chest is constructed from such a premium grade of walnut from the Southern U.S. The case is constructed with both intricately pegged joinery as well as a frame and panel side configuration which allows the sides to adjust to seasonal changes in humidity which cause the case to expand and contract. The drawers feature exceptional hand cut dovetail joinery and chamfered drawer panels that are secured with the original antique hand cut nails.

The antique tall chest has two features in particular that elevate it to one of the most distinguished chests of drawers associated with the American South which we have ever offered. The first element is the barber pole inlay which is comprised of variegated woods repeated in rhombus shaped pieces that span across the base of the chest. The second element is the intriguing wavy shaped scrolled board that is situated at the base of the front. These two aspects are the best attributes which may help in potentially narrowing down where this chest was made to a particular county or cabinet shop. The drawers are fitted with wonderful thistle pattern brass pulls and diamond inlaid escutcheons. The chest is formatted with a two over four drawer configuration and stands on four turned legs in the Sheraton manner. The backboards are entirely all original and display wonderful signs of centuries of oxidation. This antique tall chest measures 41 1/2" wide x 18 1/2" deep x 48 3/4" tall. See less