A good, late-17th century oak moulded front chest of drawers

The plank top above a deep cavetto moulding. The frieze with four side-hung drawers all faced with a deep moulding, and two with decorated with projecting mouldings. The frame faced with a single-bead moulding. The handles and escutcheons replaced, and the locks original. The sides with two inset panels. Standing on replaced bun feet. The carcass oak. Excellent configuration, colour and patina. English, third quarter of the 17th century. 50181053.

of bone and mother-of-pearl inlays, left geometrical mouldings and applied balusters as the major constituents of decoration on oak chests of drawers for those who could not afford expensive marquetry. It is a well proportion piece with great presence and depth. Given its heavy utalitarian nature, this piece has survived in excellent condition. The colour and patina have matured to an excellent quality over time.

References to chest of drawers in inventories and correspondence of the 17th century are comparatively rare. This was an age of novelty and the more advanced civilisation of the continent inspired the exiles who returned home with Charles II were fueled with a desire for increased comfort in their homes.

The love of dress spread rapidly, a natural revulsion from the deadening effects of Puritan rule. More convenient receptacles were required for clothing, which was now often made of thinner materials which would have suffered severely by compression in a chest. Cabinet makers quickly responded to this change in fashion, and the chest of drawers began to replace chests and coffers in the bedroom.