A fine and rare William & Mary marquetry chest of drawers on stand. The chest profusely inlaid with marquetry, depicting birds, flowers and floral motifs, the stand with one long drawer above barley twist elm legs united by shaped stretchers, also inlaid with marquetry panels. terminating in bun feet

This superb William & Mary chest on stand is distinguished by the quality of its marquetry decoration, it incorperates richly inlaid panels, depicting birds amidst scrolling floral sprays, stylised foliage, and classical urns. These motifs are executed in contrasting veneers, including walnut, holly, and sycamore, lending the piece both visual complexity and tonal warmth.

Far from being purely decorative, such imagery carried symbolic weight—birds and flowering plants evoked themes of abundance, harmony, and the natural order, resonating with the period’s growing fascination with natural history and the baroque vocabulary of ornament.

The dense, symmetrical composition reflects the clear influence of Dutch marquetry traditions, which had been absorbed into English cabinetmaking in the final decades of the 17th century, particularly through the work of émigré craftsmen in the flourishing London workshops.

This chest on stand remains in exceptional condition throughout, and it is worth noting that examples which retain their original stands with marquetry decoration are particularly rare, making this a wonderful survival. Elm was used for barley twist legs due to its strength and resistance to water.