Featured early 19th century bow front federal chest?

Discussion in 'Furniture' started by legenddrug, Oct 24, 2018.

  1. legenddrug

    legenddrug New Member

    I have an early 19th century bow front federal chest I would like a closer approximation on date, material, country of origin, value or any other interesting information. Thank You!

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  2. clutteredcloset49

    clutteredcloset49 Well-Known Member

    @James Conrad @verybrad

    Sorry, just realized you joined today.
    Hello and welcome.
    I just paged two of our furniture people.
    Don't forget to check back tonight or tomorrow as people come and go at odd hours.
     
  3. James Conrad

    James Conrad Well-Known Member

    It looks to me like an American 1st quarter 19th century Hepplewhite bow front chest of drawers with flared french feet and cock bead drawer fronts. Could be original brass pulls as well, nice chest. Value? well, not as much as one would think these days, I'll guess $1000-$2000 at auction, more in a retail setting.
    Primary wood is mahogany, can't see what species of wood is on secondary construction but, there are really only 2 possible locations for origin, america & england and with those eagle brasses, i am goin with american. A genuine, no foolin around, antique piece of period furniture!
     
    Last edited: Oct 24, 2018
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  4. judy

    judy Well-Known Member

    welcome to Antiquers Legenddrug!
     
  5. i need help

    i need help Moderator Moderator

    Welcome to the Forum, Legenddrug!
    Tip - Next time you post photos, check the first box Full Size for All Images. :)
     
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  6. Ownedbybear

    Ownedbybear Well-Known Member

    If it weren't for the handles, I'd have said late 18th/early 19th C mahogany English. But we'd not do those American eagle thingies. ;)
     
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  7. James Conrad

    James Conrad Well-Known Member

    Exactly, that eagle screams American, especially with those 13 stars above the eagle, I think its got it's original pulls which adds to it's appeal & value.
     
    Last edited: Oct 24, 2018
  8. legenddrug

    legenddrug New Member

    added twist. The pulls aren't original. There is a single hole underneath the pulls.
     
  9. James Conrad

    James Conrad Well-Known Member

    Hmmmm, they look period though, are they cast or stamped and, is there a witness mark on either side of drawer of a different pull? What is secondary wood species, oak or something else?
     
    Last edited: Oct 24, 2018
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  10. verybrad

    verybrad Well-Known Member

    Am thinking English with that oak secondary wood.
     
  11. James Conrad

    James Conrad Well-Known Member

    If it is oak secondary, I'd say yes, english & someone installed american style pulls in an effort to make it appear like an american chest?. If that is the case then value in USA would be lower I'd say. Still a period Hepplewhite chest though, just not american which hurts value here.
     
    Last edited: Oct 25, 2018
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  12. James Conrad

    James Conrad Well-Known Member

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  13. Ownedbybear

    Ownedbybear Well-Known Member

    Hnh. If the handles have been replaced, then I totally agree it's one of ours. It has that utter air of familiarity - very like some stuff I have, or have seen. That back is typical.

    Here? It's useful and in nice condition. £200 to £300, which is ridiculous, really, given how expensive modern crap is.
     
  14. James Conrad

    James Conrad Well-Known Member

    Well, Brad seems to think secondary wood is oak and if that's the case it almost does not matter about the pulls, it's english. That GREATLY reduces it's value here and yes it's amazing that good quality antique furniture goes for a song these days, generally speaking. In many cases you couldn't buy the wood for what the pieces sell for.
     
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  15. James Conrad

    James Conrad Well-Known Member

    The pull thing though is odd, it's almost like someone WANTED it to be american.
     
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  16. Ownedbybear

    Ownedbybear Well-Known Member

    Some clever British exporter, maybe. ;)
     
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  17. James Conrad

    James Conrad Well-Known Member

    Or some clever American importer.
     
  18. James Conrad

    James Conrad Well-Known Member

    Thing is, by the turn of the 18th century (1700) using oak as a secondary wood in furniture construction had died out everywhere in america except the Delaware river valley and, it died out there as well by 1740. Bottom line is, anything built after 1740 that has oak secondary, it ain't american, simple as that.

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  19. legenddrug

    legenddrug New Member

    Great information! Here are some pictures of the pull and what is underneath that clearly shows they aren't original. IMG_1641.JPG IMG_1642.JPG IMG_1643.JPG
     
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  20. James Conrad

    James Conrad Well-Known Member

    Yes, clear now that those pulls are not original, still, the most critical factor here is secondary wood on your chest, is it oak?
     
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