Chest of drawers, English, 1720-1740

Walnut, with inlaid decoration; brass handles and lock plates. In the superstructure, below a concave cornice are three short drawers above three graduate long drawers of graduated depth. Fluted corners. In the substructure, below a sliding shelf are three long drawers of graduated depth, the lowest centred on a concave semicircular panel with ray device inlaid in light and dark woods. Square bracket feet.

The lower section retains its original bracket feet and has an upper slide. The book matched veneer at the sides is from the same plank and the same knot is thus repeated six times. The drawers have oak linings and there are yellow baltic pine dust boards. The drawers are rebated with the rebates chamfered at the ends.

Bequeathed by Miss. Constance A. R. Adams

Chest of drawers and tallboy gift of Miss Constance A R Adams of "Rowsley, Selsdon Road, S. Croydon"

Notes from R.P. 47/897

Gift/bequest form
Lists as
W.17 Chest of drawers, walnut. Early 18th century ) both "To Birmingham"
W.19 Tallboy, walnut. Early 18th century )

2/4/47 correspondence from Miss Adams executor
condition of these pieces is noted:
Walnut Bachelors chest drs. - no keys. Foot broken off, veneer split & missing.
Walnut Tallboy - veneer missing, no keys

30/4/47 minute, Edwards
describes the Bachelors chest (W.17) as "of a type not represented in the collections".

In 1968 this piece was on long-term loan to Gainsborough's House, Sudbury.

On loan to Gainsborough's House

W.19-1947