Queen Anne Highboy Chest

Subtle, yet impressive details adorn this rare and important Queen Anne –style highboy chest-on-chest. Crafted of sturdy mahogany, this elegant chest displays all the hallmarks of the iconic Queen Anne style. The cresting wave of the broken pediment and matching finials add drama to the chest’s straightforward form, while the beautifully carved fan accents, serpentine legs and ball-and-claw feet exude a quiet sophistication. Known for its simplicity, elegance and grace, the Queen Anne style is very desirable and has remained popular for nearly 300 years. Circa 1850 The chest on chest was introduced early in the 18th century. Also known as the tallboy or highboy, these chests have been described as a cabinetmakers highest achievement. They were an enormous challenge to build, and incorporated almost every skill of the traditional cabinetmaker. The early examples are walnut, but by far the largest portion of the many that have survived are mahogany, this being the wood most frequently employed in the 18th century for the construction of furniture, especially the more massive pieces.