Chest-on-chest or tallboy in mahogany, with decorative banding of lighter woods, decoration in gilded gesso and brass mouldings, raised on carved lion-paw feet

Chest-on-chest of solid and veneered mahogany with three long drawers in the lower section, above an integral plinth supported on hairy lion-paw feet and carved with rococo motifs against a ground of varied trellising. The lowest drawer shows a central, recessed area ornamented with marquetry and carving of a lion's head, its ruff hanging over the plinth; the upper section with three long drawers with three short drawers above. The piece is unusual in being largely in solid mahogany and even the drawer sides and bases are in tropical hardwood (probably mahogany). The piece is highly ornamented, with herringbone marquetry in lighter wood (possibly satinwood), with gilded gesso mouldings, and with brass mouldings.

The herringbone marquetry is on the frienze and outlining the drawer fronts, with a larger demi-star of marquetry in the centre of lowest drawer,against which is set a carved head of a lion, the mane hanging down over the front of the integral plinth. The architrave and the upper cornice are gessoed and gilded, with shallow, carved ornament in the gesso. The front corners of the upper section are canted and set with brass plates, cast with fluting. On the lower section, a narrow flute of brass is inset across the front corner and the top moulding above the stand is covered with a plain brass moulding of quarter-round section.

On the sides the mahogany is carefully chosen for figure and set with the grain running vertically. On the front of the piece the frame is set with cross-banded veneers. The drawers are outlined with brass cock-beading. They show figured mahogany, outlined with herringbone marquetry, this changing direction at the centre of each side of the frame. Outside this, the veneers of mahogany are set diagonally, also changing direction at the centre of each side. On the frieze, the larger herringbone also changed direction at the corners and in the centre of each side.

The sides of both sections are set with heavy, brass bail handles, cast with a moulded central knop, hanging against a shaped back-plate, with no surface decoration. The drawers are set with brass bail handles cast with foliage and flowers, having from lion-mask back-plates. Small keyhole escutcheons are cast with highly decorative frames.

Bequeathed by V.B. Crowther Beynon

This came to the Museum as part of a bequest by Mr V.B. Crowther-Benyon F.S.A. (See Registered File 52/1176 on Nominal File MA/1/C3396). The Museum nos. for the bequest of furniture run from W.14 to W. 23-1952. He also bequeathed paintings, miniatures and other items, including a beadwork basket to the Museum. The correspondence suggests that all the items had been inherited by Mr Crowther-Benyon.

On loan to the National Trust (Tredegar House) 1978-2018.

Returned from loan to The National Trust (Tredegar House) in 2018.

W.14-1952