This large Australian chest of drawers fetched nearly $10,000 at auction in Sydney this week (including buyer's premium and gst).

 

Made around the middle of the 19th century, in a fairly straightforward manner (eg rail tenons showing), its distinguishing feature is the lovely interlocking grain of the rose mahogany timber that has lightened and burnished with age. Recessed brass handles complete the utilitarian look.

 

Rose mahogany, along with Australian red cedar and Central American mahogany, belongs to the meliaceae family and was rarely used after the middle of the 1800s for furniture. It grows in the coastal forests of the NSW north coast and SE Qld.

 

The winning bid was by telephone.