Featured Diminutive Chest of Drawers

Picked up this little two over two chest yesterday here in Central Texas. The back is just like the sides. Based on my very limited knowledge of pre-1920 furniture, I'd guess mid 19th century, mahogany, possibly English. Its 17.5"W, 15"D, and 20" high, so it's small but not miniature. No marks on wood or locks, as far as i can tell. I'd appreciate any thoughts on style, period, country or region of origin, wood, or anything else. Thanks

 

Every drawer locks separately, so secure storage for something. Silver?

 

Nice...I like it!

 

adorable !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Could be child sized. Id think it was Early American,maybe 1840s. I wonder if maybe it was a spice cabinet ? Looks like it was badly refinished . It is a charming little thing.

 

Looks like a traveling salesman's sample, to me! Lovely and well done!!

 

Darling piece with the paneled sides! Nice touch back then. I love those ring turned legs! It is nice that the back legs are finished as well - a lot of American craftsmen did not finish the back legs.

 

Very cute, but it looks fairly recent Indonesian to me, colonial style.
Since I don't know much about early American, which means I could be wrong, I'll tag @verybrad .

 

Yes the locks are kind of funny, because the whole chest weighs about 30 pounds, and any would-be thief could just pick it up and walk away with it. So maybe it's more likely a salesman sample or apprentice piece.

 

I was wondering about that, too. Those knobs... And it looks "antiqued" to me... But WDIK. (EDIT to clarify: the knobs look mass-produced to me.)
Are the locks functional or decorative? (From what little I can see in the photos, they look decorative.) Is there a key?

 

And the blotchy staining, thick wood, and the roughly made drawers with that uneven wood with grey stuff.
That said, it is charming.

 

The locks are all functional. It didn't come with a key but I happened to have a few skeleton keys and one of them worked.

This is the most similar one I've found so far. It was listed by antique dealer in the UK and described as an apprentice piece , late 19th Century, pine, and only 15" high.

 

To me there is a difference in execution and quality between the two.
The one you just posted is made with more attention to detail, and the top and bottom are nicely rounded, the way European furniture of this type should be made.
The wood has the soft, tactile look of furniture that has been polished regularly during its life.
Lovely little knob feet too.

 

well I would have been snookered! The only weird thing that stuck out to me were the paneled sides - like good English furniture - and the Escutcheons were the exact same ones on my French wardrobe. Even the underside of the drawer looked hand planed or chamfered to my eyes.

 

Indonesian furniture generally has that too. Most of it is 100% hand made.

 

A few more details:
Photo 1: nail at back of drawer bottom
Photo 2: nail that used to hold a drawer divider
Photo 3; lock and screws

The lock, screws, and nails are consistent with 19th century construction, but can anyone narrow down a more precise date? I saw a video that said screws like the lock screws with a tapered shaft, blunt end, and hand cut slot would be consistent with 1840's, but could be later of course.

 

No idea, but I'd think more of a spice cabinet than a salesman's sample, or a doll's dresser. The locks/latches are for keeping fingers out, not thieves and the wood is too thick-looking for a scale model.

 

I am on the fence with this one. Will take a better look tomorrow when I am back home on my PC. In the meantime, can we see back, bottom ,and inside case without drawers?

Edit: Thought I posted this from my phone yesterday but see it didn't get sent. I am back home and leaning toward this being modern. Still want to see what I requested above.

 

The OP may or may not be able to get in. Expired Security Certificate strikes again. If they don't have Firefox they may be out of luck.

 

@verybrad Site is back up. Here are shots of the back and bottom showing the inside. Let me know if any other details would help. Thanks for taking a look.