A refined Georgian painted mahogany chest on chest with secretaire drawer, original brass fittings and a carefully layered specialist antique finish
At a Glance - Appeal, Desirability & Collectibility
• Date: 18th Century Georgian period,
• Origin: England
• Material: Solid old-growth mahogany
• Configuration: Upper chest with two short drawers over three long drawers; lower chest with secretaire drawer over two deep drawers
• Construction: Traditional Georgian cabinetmaking with original structure retained
• Drawers: Hand-dovetailed, cockbeaded oak-lined drawers retaining their original finely cast brass handles and escutcheons, enhancing its period character and authenticity
• Later Finish: Hand-painted Specialist Distressed Mottled Chalky Antique Coral finish
• Condition: Excellent condition, structurally sound, with characterful surface finish and gentle wear consistent with age and decorative treatment
• Dimensions: H:183cm (72.0in) | W:111cm (43.7in) | D: 54cm (21.3in)
• Delivery is not included - please use the Request Delivery Quote feature before completing your order
• Desirability:
• A classic and highly collectible Georgian furniture form
• Elegant proportions rooted firmly in 18th-century design
• Original finely cast brass handles and escutcheons, enhancing its period character and authenticity
• Carefully reimagined surface treatment that respects the original structure
• Practical storage combined with strong decorative presence
Timeless Georgian Elegance - Form, Function & History
A handsome late Georgian George III mahogany chest on chest, also known as a tallboy, dating to circa 1820 and retaining its original architectural form. The piece is divided into two sections by a moulded waist. The upper chest features a moulded cornice above two short drawers and three long, graduating drawers, all flanked by canted corners that lend subtle architectural refinement. The lower section incorporates a secretaire drawer above two deep, oak-lined drawers and stands on its original shaped bracket feet.
All drawers retain their original finely cast brass handles and escutcheons, reinforcing both authenticity and period integrity. The piece separates into two sections for ease of transport and placement, as intended in its original design. Generous in scale yet well balanced, this tallboy offers excellent storage while maintaining the restrained elegance that defines Georgian furniture.
Masterful Transformation - History in Every Hue
This chest on chest has been sensitively reimagined with a specialist hand-applied painted finish that respects the original Georgian structure while introducing a refined contemporary decorative layer. The surface is softly mottled and gently powdery in character, with subtle tonal variation that shifts beautifully with the light. Pale accents and layered pigment reveal depth and nuance that only hand-built finishes can achieve.
The antiquing is deliberately restrained, designed to echo natural wear accumulated over two centuries rather than contrived distress. Because seasoned mahogany carries its own inherent colour and grain, gentle variations occur across the surface. These are not imperfections, but the hallmark of a slow, hand-finished process that allows the material to speak through the paint rather than be concealed by it.
Explore Every Facet
Our high-resolution photographs allow you to examine this chest on chest in detail, exactly as you would in the showroom. The images move from overall form to close details, showing construction, drawer interiors, surface finish, patina, and wear. Please study the photographs carefully; they form part of the visual record.
Styling Suggestions
• Use as a statement storage piece in a bedroom, dressing room, or principal landing
• Pair with painted or natural wood furniture for layered contrast
• Style with mirrors, lamps, or artwork to emphasise vertical proportion
• Works beautifully in both classic interiors and more contemporary schemes
• Ideal where strong form and subtle colour are equally valued
Sustainable Style
Thank you for considering this Georgian chest on chest - a choice that honours design, heritage, and the environment …in every sense, the most sustainable item is the one that endures
This piece represents the most meaningful form of sustainable design - the continued use and thoughtful renewal of well-made furniture. By preserving original Georgian craftsmanship and supporting specialist restoration skills, such work helps ensure that traditional techniques remain viable for future generations. Choosing antiques not only reduces waste but sustains the knowledge, materials, and artistry that modern manufacturing can no longer replicate.
Purchase with Confidence
White’s Antiques carefully selects every item for authenticity, character, craftsmanship, and decorative presence - ensuring that each piece carries both aesthetic and historic value. Each item is described and photographed with care, ensuring complete transparency and confidence in your purchase. We are an established and successful business serving both trade and private collectors. You are warmly invited to visit our shop at 53 High Street, Arundel, and our Showroom at The Vinery, Poling, West Sussex, to experience our curated collections firsthand, explore the stories behind each antique, and appreciate these timeless treasures in person.
measurements
Height:
183 cm
Width:
111 cm
Depth:
54 cm
measurements
declaration
White’s Antiques has clarified that the 18th Century Georgian Period - George III Painted Mahogany Chest on Chest with Secretaire (LA557842) is genuinely of the period declared with the date/period of manufacture being 18th Century