American Empire 4 Drawer Chest of Drawers with exquisite Book Matched Mahogany veneer Ca. 1830-1940 .   

    The book matched veneer is the finest example you will see except in an older Rolls Royce. Each time a log is turned, a layer matches the previous layer. Experienced craftsmen select the best match from a selection of veneer. this is the secret of the finest wood work. Jaguar did that until they were bought by Ford. I knew a man whom Ford sent to Jaguar to work in every department, as a spy.. He said the veneer specialist came in at 11 AM. walked around the sets of veneer laid out for him, picked about half to be used by Vanden Plas, rejected the rest, then went home by 1 PM. he was the first man Ford fired, as they replaced real wood with plastic which i call Ford wood. I assume that specialist went to work for Rolls Royce.. history was simply repeating what happened between 1840 and 1890 in a 1990 way. The virgin hundred old wood and the skills to work iy simply dusappeared.My point is, use these photos to judge other 19th century American Empire. If it has straight grain walnut, it is Empire Revival; neither the quality of wood nor workmanship of this

   The 84 year old Lady I acquired this from in the 1980's told me the knobs are sandwich glass. they are on the top drawers, but missing from botton drawer, as is the bone key surround on bottom drawer. This is suitable if creating a Civil War antebellum , Key West or 1830-1850 large mansion museum.  Key West homes have this style, as it came from ships wrecked on the reefs in  the 19th century, enroute from New York to New Orleans. Last photo shows an 1833 Joseph Meeks catalogue with very similar style.This is Very solid and is hanging in my home. Wood back is rugged and protects the very thick mirror glass. Mahogany veneer has flaked in some places, so although this is very sound and solid, It would be best to properly restore and refinish it. The 1833 advertisement shows the furniture that would have been in a home with this mirror.I have other 19th century antiques. (Look on the Books,Literature,Art section of my eBay store)

  NOTE, beware of other ads for American Empire. This is original and a standard to judge others by. This style lasted about 10 years, and about 1840 was replaced by more ornate styles without the flame mahogany veneer. The fine trees were growing scarce; but architecture changed from Greek Revival to ornate, Victorian, Queen Anne, and others that needed more dainty or ornate furniture. It came around again every 30-50 years, but 1890's Empire revival or the 1920's version just do not have the quality of flame mahogany veneer as the original. If you see an ad for 19th century American Empire, compare it with this picture, If it has straight grain veneer, it is likely 1890's Empire revival; though no one ver named it as that. Please contact me directly for more details.You may inquire 1954JAGUARS , or 1954JAGPART . Shipping; rate given is to MIAMI FLORIDA. If not in Miami, I need your business address for a shipping cost. Overseas shipping is to MIAMI FLORIDA, for those who have an agent there, NOT out of the US.. To ship directly is more expensive, by air freight. Please give me your address. Note; shipping 200 year old antiques seems tricky; nut is quite simple. Buy it Local Pickup, then YOU arrange the shipping, then insurance is in your name,and you can oversee and track it. I do all the work, pad and pack it on correct size pallet , give you size and weight and advise what to tell the shipper. You call Freight Quote or UPS Freight. Open a business account with UPS Freight, it takes abouut 30 minutes; they will give a discount. I will deliver it strapped to a pallet to a Business address in venus Florida, or it may be picked up at my home in Sebring Florida. Discuss with me before arrranging shipping. James Dean. Note. This is an antique over 100 years old that needs repair. that makes it exempt from GPSR regulations. Customs tariff classification is 970510