Antique American Federal Bowfront Chest of Drawers, Flame Mahogany, C. 1820

Details

Description

An American Federal period bowfront chest of drawers, circa 1810 to 1830, in richly figured flame mahogany.

Four graduated cockbeaded … Read more An American Federal period bowfront chest of drawers, circa 1810 to 1830, in richly figured flame mahogany.

Four graduated cockbeaded drawers across a swelled front, the flame figure running bold across every drawer face. The front corners carry three-quarter columns, ring-turned at the top and reeded below, finished with turned capitals, and the case stands on ring-turned tapering legs below a shaped skirt. Oval stamped brass bail pulls with keyholes to each drawer. The top is a single figured board.

The back and interior tell you its age. The back boards are wide, dark with oxidation and covered in old tool marks. The drawer bottoms are wide single boards, the case underside is fitted with old glue blocks, and there are original chalk marks inside the drawers, all photographed. A paper inventory tag on the back edge reads "119 2/5/81 N.F.S."

This is a Sheraton-period form, and the reeded columns and turned legs are what separate it from the plainer French-foot chests of the same decade.

Measures 39 1/8 in. wide x 18 in. deep x 36 1/4 in. high.

Condition: honest and unrestored, never refinished, with the wear you'd expect from two centuries of use. A faint ring mark on the top and edge wear along one drawer lip, both photographed. Worn finish and some old paint spatter on the inside bottom edge of one drawer front, not visible when the drawer is closed. Brasses original. No splits in the case.

From a private Boise, Idaho collection, the home of an interior designer. No smoking or pets. See less