With our absolute highest compliments Bay Colony Antiques takes the utmost pleasure in offering this exceptional and rare antique chest of drawers. This dresser was constructed with a bow front which means that the entire case and each drawer is expertly crafted to precisely curved specifications which required the talents of a master cabinetmaker who was at the preeminent peak of their abilities. The only forms of woodworking which command a higher standard of excellence throughout the full scope of craftsmanship during the 18th century were shipwrights and builders of architectural stair systems. Many of these bowfront chests have weathered the course of centuries simply because every aspect in constructing these examples were executed to the highest of standards right down to the selection of the lumber involved and how that lumber was allowed to season and acclimate before being cut and transformed into the chest we now offer. The beauty which this chest of drawers possesses is only surpassed by the expertly crafted elements that comprise this piece as a whole.
This antique dresser is constructed from regionally available lumber sourced from the New England countryside. The primary material used to build the chest is boldly figured tiger maple lumber which is utilized for both sides, the top of the dresser, and each of the four finely turned legs. Cherry was selected for each of the drawers for its warmth and vibrancy along with the beautiful contrast which is created against the tiger maple case. The drawer boxes, backboards, and underside of the chest are comprised of New England pine which serves as the secondary woods. All of the wooden surfaces that were unfinished and allowed to oxidize have done so wonderfully with a deep patina having developed within the wood apparent from the back and underside of the chest.
The chest had a hand applied varnish which darkened overtime and was incrementally scrubbed throughout two and a half centuries resulting in the present condition of the surface which is most desirable to antique purists. Hand-cut dovetail work and chamfering is apparent in all the respective places that a period antique should feature this hand tooled construction. An inspection of the underside reveals the original glue blocks which have impressively remained affixed to the case. We are immensely proud to offer this remarkable chest of drawers and are confident that the next person to claim ownership over this dresser will be as passionate about it as we are. The chest measures 41 3/4” wide x 21” deep x 39 1/4” tall.
