Dated Georgian Oak Secretaire Chest on Chest from Carmarthenshire

This handsome chest on chest or tallboy was made in Carmarthenshire from dense, native oak which has acquired a rich colour and patina. It has a number of fine details including a dentil-moulded cornice, fluted canted angles with plain and moulded ogee stops and a secretaire drawer fitted with a fanburst-carved door flanked by fluted pilasters and various pigeonholes and drawers, some enclosing secret compartments.
The base has a brushing slide which has a number of ink inscriptions and dates, the most striking of which reads “Thomas Davies, Llwchgwyn, Llanegwad, 1793”. The date 1775, although faint, is discernible and would tie in with the style of brassware, much of which is original. Carmarthenshire, circa 1775.

Dimensions:

104 cms wide at the waist,108 cms at the cornice, 56 cms deep, 182 cms wide.

For a similar oak, albeit more elaborate, secretaire chest on chest from Carmarthenshire, see “Welsh Furniture, 1250-1950” by Richard Bebb, vol ll, page 151, fig. 928.