George II Oak Bachelor's Chest of Small Proportions c. 1740

A very slender early 18th century oak chest at only 13 inches deep and with a most attractive colour, with fold out top over four graduated drawers and retaining original brasses and locks.

These chests with fold out tops were known as bachelor’s chests because they were small and compact enough for a single gentleman who occupied a bachelor’s pad.

When the top was extended to full width it is supported on two sliding oak lopers and clothes could be placed upon it for ‘brushing out’ – in the 18th century clothes were brushed far more often than they were washed.

The drawers with their fine oak linings in clean and very solid condition and well constructed. The base boards running front to back and the linings with fine and strong hand cut dovetails.

The hand cast brass handles with chased decoration to the back plates and split pin fasteners each with a small ring to the centre of the bail. These rings have, over the centuries, made an impression above each handle – a small indent in the oak known as a ‘knock mark’ – which demonstrates the regular use and great age of the chest as oak is not easy to mark and also shows which drawers have been used more often than others. Antique furniture always tells us part of its history and its story in these ways.

Good original finish and original bracket feet and a very well cared for piece of early Georgian furniture.

There are small marks and bruises here and therethere is a small loss to the edge of the leaf of the top and a small patched in oak repair – very old, smoothed by time and well blended.

Made by skilled hands in c. 1740, and looked after all of its life, this lovely little bachelors’ chest is in excellent original condition, very sturdy and heavy and usable – and would sit down perfectly in a cottage or be useable on a staircase, hallway or narrow room.