Description
A small, solid Virginia walnut fold-over top bachelor chest, of very good colour and patination.
Mid-18th century, George II period, circa 1740.
Raised on its apparently original shaped bracket feet.
Only 2’6” wide, in its lovely untouched state, including locks and brassware. Oak linings.
Arthur Negus illustrates an identical antique bachelor (or bachelor’s) chest on p. 151, fig. 75, in his book on English Furniture (1969). He states: ”These are extremely rare, particularly in walnut.’’
Ralph Edwards CBE FSA in his ‘Shorter Dictionary of English Furniture’ Hamlyn, London, Fourth Impression (1972) illustrates on p. 205, fig. 24, a bachelor chest dated 1720-1725, of the same configuration, but veneered in walnut.
As such these antique English Georgian bachelor chests can fetch very high prices – often up to £25,000.
Commonly the top surfaces have been later set with a leather writing surface.
Nb. A comparable mahogany bachelor’s chest with fold-over top was sold Sept 2003 at Christies for £11,950 inc premium.
Dimensions:
Height 30.5 inches (77 cm)
Width 30 inches (76 cm)
Depth 14 inches (36 cm).
