When you are studying the drawers of a chest, it is crucial to remain organized in your thinking processes.
The first things to consider is what wood the chest is constructed of? If it’s from the 18th Century it could be walnut. If it’s Georgian or later, it’s likely made of mahogany.
Look at the linings of drawers. If they’re constructed of pine, the chest is likely inferior in quality, whereas the case composed of mahogany or oak, they are of higher grade. Be sure to look at the direction it is that the grain in the middle of the of the board flows, if it runs running from front to back, the chest is likely to be of the an early 18th Century construction. The grain that runs from side to side indicates that it was built post 1750.
The other thing to take into consideration is whether the handles of the chest are original. Handles are usually changed to make pieces of furniture appear more stylish and certain chests have two or three different kinds of handles over the decades. You should check the rear of the drawer’s front If you notice holes that don’t seem to serve a purpose, then the handles are replaced. Original handles often leave a mark of bruising on the front of the drawer from hitting the wood for many years, or leave a shade mark due to blocking the sunlight.
If the handles are authentic, they will provide a accurate clue to the condition of the piece. A pear drop handle would indicate that the chest is William as well as Mary as well as Queen Anne period whereas a neck handle with a swan would be seen on pieces which postdate 1750.
The mouldings on drawers can also provide clues to the time period of the chest. The seventeenth Century mouldings were incorporated into the carcass. As the 18th Century progressed , these details were became edge of drawers. The George II period drawers often come with Ovolo mouldings (a quarter-round edge) and by 1760 , the drawers were typically fitted with the moulding of cock beads.
Feet were often altered to make chests appear more stylish. Bun feet were very popular at the start and the end of 18th Century however, by the 1740s the bracket foot became more common. The Sheraton period, the bracket foot was made to create an elegant appearance that was in line with the style of the time.
After you’ve considered the above issues, you must examine how the dimensions of your chest. A good quality chest will have beautiful proportions, with a nice development of the drawers as well as excellent mouldings that are crisp and clean. A chest of lower quality will have more of a practical feeling.
The most popular kind of antique chest of drawers is the flat-fronted chest, but at the end of the 18th century, the bowfronted and serpentine chests came into trend. A serpentine chest due to the additional construction work is more expensive and rarer than a chest with a flat front that is of the same quality.
Chests may also be enhanced with other features which affect their value. Certain chests are constructed of solid wood while some are veneered or veneered. Veneered chests tend to be more expensive and are more sought-after. The reason for this is that the cabinet maker has selected specific pieces of wood to add an interest and life in the chest. Cabinet makers also included bandings, stringings , and even carvings to give a chest a more attractive appearance and, if they’re authentic they will enhance the value of the chest.
In determining the value of a chest, you need to take into consideration all of these aspects. The more unique and attractive an item is, then the better value it is however it is essential to ensure that the chest has well-colored patination and color.
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