A Miniature Antique Treen Chiffonier/ Travelling Sales Piece

This is a real gem an early to mid 1800’s mahogany miniature chiffonier. It is unusual to find a miniature one. This antique treen chiffonier has been beautifully made and full of mini leather bound books with inscriptions in some of the books.

Chiffoniers are sideboards or side cabinets with cupboard doors enclosing shelves and drawers.The top would act as a shelf for displaying fine ornaments. These pieces were for the library, dining room or drawing room. They were popular from the 1820’s through to the Victorian era.

This little antique treen chiffonier made from well figured mahogany has a breakfront, the central section extending out, the doors are arched and the two centre doors have ribbed velvet panel fronts, the end panels are mahogany. Each corner is flanked by a tapered column. Above each panelled door there are pull out drawers all of which are finely dovetailed.

When you open the cupboard doors the insides are shelved out and there are a number of small leather bound books, approx. 19. They are mainly religious books bibles, psalms and proverbs. Some have inscriptions to either Augustus Nicholl or Mary Nicho

ll.The back shaped pediment finishes off this very stylish piece.

It could be used for jewellery, sewing items etc.

This may have been a travelling salespersons sample piece, which was taken to the big houses to show to prospective clients before ordering the larger version or lovingly made by a skilled joiner.