Antique Wellington Chest

The Antique Wellington Chest was named after the famous Duke of Wellingtons victory of 1815. Antique wellington Chests are tall and narrow chests, usually with seven working drawers, one for every day of the week. Unusually they come with a swinging locking arm that locks all the compartments with one key. The best examples will have two swinging arms with one key that works on both sides and the brass mechanism by Hobbs and Co, a quality maker of brass-ware. The rarest antique wellington chest designs will have a secretaire drawer in the centre, to store paperwork and stationary in them. The interior of the secretaire will usually contain a leather writing insert, small birds eye maple fronted drawers along with small pigeon holes. These Classic antique chests will be framed with beautifully carved corbels and stand on a plain plinth or shaped bracket feet. Renowned makers used this design like heal and son, usually in quality timbers such as Mahogany, Burr Walnut or Oak. Here at Antiques World you can see many beautiful chests for sale and you can view our current selection on our antique chest of drawers category here or look below at a few select pieces we have for sale.

Styles of Antique wellington Chests

We do get some stunning examples and below are some that we have previously sold. This is a classic design of a Wellington chest, constructed from Walnut with brass swan neck handles. Typical design of a wellington chest with seven drawers, one for each day of the week!

This Antique Wellington chest is quite unusual as it is constructed from Ash in unusual small proportions with the original Art Nouveau handles. This piece unusually has two swinging arms, one with a key and working lock. It appears well proportioned standing on a plain plinth and although looks like oak to the untrained eye.

This characterful oak wellington chest has a secretaire drawer and all the drawers display Victorian Arts & Crafts style brass handles and are flanked by two attractively carved corbels.

This Victorian Tall Oak Antique Wellington Chest has Arts and Crafts influences along with an unusual ten drawer configuration all of which are mahogany lined with the original turned oak handles which are secured in place by a locking arm with the original Hobbs and Co lock and key.