FEDERAL BIRD'S EYE MAPLE GENTELMAN'S CHEST OF DRAWERS / DRESSER CA 1810 - 1820
With our highest compliments Bay Colony Antiques takes the utmost pleasure in presenting for sale this magnificent and bold early American gentleman's chest of drawers. This chest was constructed in upper New England, likely Vermont or New Hampshire, sometime at the turn of 19th century circa 1800 - 1820. The patron who had commissioned this chest would have had some means in this era to afford to have a cabinetmaker construct such a commanding piece of furniture with only the finest native hardwoods as well as the boldest bird's eye maple solid wood stock and veneers available anywhere at the time. This old growth maple is significant to the treasury of early American design as the larger cities where the finest craftsman trained were dominated by exotic hardwoods such as mahogany with which the finest federal furniture was made. It is only in rare pockets of rural America at this time where bold and brilliant federal furniture constructed from centuries old maple trees have existed, and throughout two centuries have become among the rarest and most sought furniture of the federal era. This particular chest is among the finest ever produced from the upper New England region through the federal era. The cabinetmaker displays superiority in proportion and execution of design as the large form of the case is well presented through fine lines and a graduated case construction. The two upper drawers rest above the three increasing larger lower drawers which appear to flow evenly from one confluent design. The width and depth of the cabinet are exactly as proportional as they should be and the overhung top and turned feet and all masterfully crafted to size and scale. We take the time to note this as most chests made in rural communities are generally blocky and disproportional as most rural cabinetmakers lacked the refinement that master level furniture makers possessed. Each drawer has a fine cockbead molding which accents the edges and an original brass escutcheon. The chest features a frame and panel constructed side which allows the body of the chest to float throughout the centuries which gives the wood the ability to adapt to changes in humidity throughout seasons where woods expand and contract. The hand of a masterful wood turner was utilized to construct the fabulous twin pilaster columns as well as the exceptional cannonball formed feet. The cannonball feet are prized among fine federal furniture collectors and regular collectors alike for both the uniqueness of the design and the functionality of the heavy foot as the chest will be slid around from time to time without worry of damaging the legs. The chest measures 43 1/3" wide x 25" deep x 46 1/2" tall.
WELCOME
We are a wholly owned family business in our third decade of continuous operation. We have a large inventory of fine antiques ranging from Early American, Federal, Chippendale, Empire, Centennial, Victorian, 20th Century custom mahogany, Art Deco and Mid-Century Modern antique furniture along with decorative arts from across the globe. All the items we offer to the general public are high quality estate pieces. We do not offer goods with significant flaws or defects. We completely avoid items with issues. You can expect the items we sell to have reasonable wear and tear. Due to the large volume of goods we deal in we cannot describe items in minutia. We do our best to give you an accurate condition report in our description of the items. We have expert woodworkers and re-finishers on staff to service any piece of furniture we offer. We represent all merchandise in absolute good faith and to the very best of our ability. Please ask all questions, including, but not limited to, shipping costs prior to purchase. All items are sold as is and from their location. If you would like to find out about any number of our services, including appraisals and restoration, please ask us about our website for more information.
SHIPPING & DELIVERIES
We deliver within a 250 mile range of zip code 01105 for a low cost flat rate. We specialize in New York City and Boston deliveries at extremely reasonable rates. For items requiring shipping beyond our delivery zone, we offer freight or “Ground Services” shipping, depending on the size of the items. We ship anywhere within the Continental United States. Items will require packaging and palletizing for freight shipments. The buyer is responsible for the cost of materials only for this service. We perform this service without the cost of labor as an appreciation for your patronage. Freight class shipping is the fastest and most cost effective method of shipping large items. We can reach anywhere in America with a large shipment within 7-10 business days. We buy materials in bulk to save you excessive costs. The materials required for proper crating of items for their safe transit is so specialized we may need up to 7-10 business days to make sure we get absolutely what is required & do the best job possible. We go the extra mile by designing premium customized furniture crates for the ultimate protection of your purchase. We ship from our facility with a loading dock on a major trucking artery. This and our “volume shippers” discount creates a substantial lower cost for you. The least expensive method of shipping is business to business with loading docks. Next is a business without a dock and the last option is shipping to a resident. We are sending your shipments with freight carriers. They are not furniture movers who bring the items into your home. You are provided with curbside delivery of your shipments. We can get you special services in certain cases, but you are responsible for telling us you require them and for the extra cost of these services, if you instruct our shippers to provide services beyond curbside deliveries. We are responsible for any additional services and charged for these services. We absolutely maintain our right to collect the costs of these charges for services we did not authorize or were prepaid for. We urge all customers to obtain special coverage and protection for their freight class shipments provided through our Freight Broker’s independent third party insurance coverage provider. In some cases it’s simply not needed, but on certain delicate shipments we have to insist upon it. Again the process is all designed to protect your investment and is an option offered for your protection.
MERCHANDISE PICK UP AND STORAGE
All our customers are welcome to come to our facility to pick up their purchases free of charge. You can expect friendly help in loading your purchase in your vehicle. We ask that you come ready to transport your purchase by having ample pads or blankets to protect your item in transit. We don’t like to send nice people off with things tied to roof racks. We also do not desire to charge storage fees, but we are holding some purchases for over three years now and are under no contract to. We are not a storage facility. We are happy to hold your items for a reasonable pre-agreed upon period. Beyond or absent any specified contract a $50.00 dollar per week storage fee will apply.
ON-LINE SALES/TERMS OF USE
All Massachusetts residents are subject to the 6.25% sales tax unless you possess a valid resale number from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. We do not accept returns so please, ask all questions prior to submitting an offer or purchasing. We have a zero tolerance policy for non-paying buyers. Any offer we accept is a binding sale and subject to the conditions herein. Massachusetts General Law applies to all sales. Bidding on and purchasing any item is under the acknowledgment of the buyer and is consent to the contractual agreement set forth herein. This agreement is in full force and effect on any item purchased through our Ebay store and on items purchased through us and our gallery. We strive to make your on-line buying experience as easy and pleasant as possible. We accept all major credit cards and are delighted to answer any questions that you may have or provide services you may need.