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William and Mary Oysterwood Chest
William and Mary Oysterwood Chest
William and Mary Oysterwood Chest
William and Mary Oysterwood Chest
William and Mary Oysterwood Chest
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William and Mary Oysterwood Chest

  • This William and Mary-period chest beautifully illustrates the art of oyster veneering
  • Skillfully crafted, the chest features bun feet and bronze pulls
  • Period William and Mary furnishings are rare, especially of such exceptional beauty and condition
  • Get complete item description here
$44,500
Item No. 31-6718

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Description
This William and Mary-period chest is distinguished by oyster veneering and circular inlay. Intersecting circles are inlaid into the veneers on the drawer fronts and on top of the chest, and the veneers have aged to a rich and warm patina. The practice of "oyster" veneering was a painstaking process used on only the finest pieces meant for the wealthiest clientele. In this process, paper-thin cross-sections cut from the roots and small branches of trees,. . .
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This William and Mary-period chest is distinguished by oyster veneering and circular inlay. Intersecting circles are inlaid into the veneers on the drawer fronts and on top of the chest, and the veneers have aged to a rich and warm patina. The practice of "oyster" veneering was a painstaking process used on only the finest pieces meant for the wealthiest clientele. In this process, paper-thin cross-sections cut from the roots and small branches of trees, their concentric rings resembling oyster shells, were laid side by side, producing a dramatic decorative effect. Elevated on bun feet, the chest's exceptional design also incorporates fine bronze pulls and locks. Comparatively few period examples of this quality and condition are available today, making this an exceptional find.

Though the reign of William and Mary lasted only a few short years, they ushered in a distinctive style of furniture and furniture making that still bears their name. Characterized by dramatic oyster wood veneers and distinctive cross banding, William and Mary furnishings represented a more refined way of living, replacing heavy and often cumbersome pieces of furniture from the previous decades. 

Circa 1690

38" wide x 22 1/2" deep x 36" high
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William and Mary Oysterwood Chest
Period: 17th Century
Origin: England
Type: Commodes/Chests
Style: William and Mary
Depth: 22.5 in. (57.15 cm)
Width: 38.0 in. (96.52 cm)
Height: 36.0 in. (91.44 cm)
Buy with Confidence

At M.S. Rau, we are committed to building a long-term, rewarding relationship with each and every client. That’s why your purchase is backed by our 125% guarantee.

Learn More

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The M.S. Rau Difference

The M.S. Rau Difference

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For more than a century, M.S. Rau has offered clients a superb selection of the highest quality jewelry. From the rarest colored diamonds, to the most sublime gemstones, to the most exquisite designer jewelry, M.S. Rau houses an extraordinary collection of fine jewels to satisfy the most discerning collector. Stunning creations by Tiffany & Co., Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Harry Winston and Patek Philippe are offered alongside extreme rarities such as vivid yellow, pink and blue diamonds, coveted Burma and Kashmir sapphires and elusive Golconda diamonds prized for their fire and perfection. Iconic jewels from the Art Deco, Edwardian, Art Nouveau and Victorian periods round out the collection.

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Since 1912, M.S. Rau has been recognized as a leader in the antiques industry and today our collections of rare silver, furniture, clocks, porcelain, glass and objets d'art are second to none. Our commitment to curating the world’s most extraordinary and beautiful treasures has remained steadfast and our acquisition philosophy is simple: seek out and acquire only the very finest works whose provenance, beauty and rarity set them apart from all others. Our clients can be certain that each and every piece in our gallery has been hand-selected and carefully vetted for authenticity, condition and provenance. And, because our network of contacts spans generations, we are often able to acquire pieces that may have otherwise never been available on the market.

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