Lot #10: Wellington Side-Lock "Bat" Dresser/Chest

Early, rare, and unusual, this dresser features a locking panel (with original key) on the right side, keeping your personal belongings safe from intrusion, and the drawers shut during travel.  It also sports a hinged, fitted drop-front secretaire 3 drawers up (seated height) to store paperwork and perhaps allowing the traveler a make-shift desk as well.  Probably English, (most are), they were dubbed Wellington Dressers after Arthur Wellesley, first duke of Wellington who reportedly had a side-lock chest he carried on his military campaigns. They are also known as boarding house dressers because the side lock could protect the contents from residents of some of the less respectable residences.  Our favorite features on this one are the unique "flying bat" handpulls - they're not all perfect, but most are - 2 on bottom drawer have slight chips, but some missing pieces have been found in the drawers. Wider than most Wellington chests, this one is 34"W x 20"D x 49"H with an additional 6" ornate scrolled gallery (also unusual), early dovetailing, and resting on sturdy bracket feet.  Drawers 6.5"H x 28"W.
Condition: very good
Measurements: see description