Christian VIII Biedermeier Style Semainier
Over 200-year-old semainier dresser with locking drawers that come with the original key. The piece is from Denmark. The dresser can be separated in the middle to move it as it is very heavy. It is solid wood. It was in my husband's Danish family and was shipped to the states in 2004 after his last relative died. The piece is solid and sturdy with minor flaking in certain places on the mahogany veneer near the corners that have been covered with a dark scratch cover. There is about a 4" strip of decorative beading (see picture) missing on both the left and right side of the dresser in the same place. Dimensions are 59" tall x 42" wide x 19" deep.
This piece belonged to my husband’s old aunt as she inherited it from her grandparents who lived in Denmark.
Inherited
Yes
This is an antique, early 19th century, about 1820 - 1840, Northern European, Christian VIII era, Biedermeier style, semainier, or chest with seven drawers that is done in bookmatched African feather flame or crotch mahogany veneer fronts. 'Semaine' is the French word for 'week' and a dresser with 7-drawers, one for each day of the week is a semainier. Biedermeier is a restrained decor style that flourished in Europe from about 1815 - 1848. Christian VIII was the King of Denmark from 1839 to 1848 and, as Christian Frederick, King of Norway in 1814. The estimate is based on actual recent past recorded auction sales of comparables. Retail 'asking prices' can be higher and vary.
Hi--I added the requested extra photos. There are no stamps or numbers or manufacturing signature anywhere on the piece as I believe it was custom made. The back of the dresser has the signature powder post beetle holes. I don't know who made it. Thanks.