Westland London

Description

A very fine William and Mary chest on stand, in a rare combination of burr ash and burr yew. The chest has a cross grained moulded cornice above two short and three long graduated drawers, the drawers in burr ash, crossbanded in yew. The pear drop handles are original, as are the pierced and engraved escutcheons, mounted over the original locks. The sides are grained pine, in line with furniture of this date.
The chest is mounted on its original stand fitted with three drawers, with an ogeed line to the frieze in burr elm. The cupped and turned legs and stretchers are a later replacement.

English, c.1690.

Awaiting restoration.

Notes: In the late 17th century, fine veneered furniture of this type had grown in popularity enormously. Whilst the wealthiest homes would often have had lacquered furniture, mercantile and landowning homes had chests with fine veneers. During both the reigns of William and Anne, war had impacted the economy and the mercantile class to such an extent that the market for fine furniture had dwindled enormously, so furniture of this quality is rare.