A particularly nice feature is that the back is also finished; the brass casters allow the chest to be easily moved around, and I suspect the finished back was done so that if it were wheeled into a serving room it could be placed anywhere in the room. Years ago the chest was refinished along with having some minor repairs done.
A couple of small splits in the top were filled (picture 8), a few veneer repairs were made only one is really noticed, at the bottom corner of the back (picture 5), there was a ring of small molding around the base of each column which was removed, leaving a slight ghost where it had been (only noticed on very close inspection, picture 12). Age related issues include various areas of checking of the veneer (pictures 5 and 6), one front teardrop finial missing (located at front lower corner, easily replaced), one strip of molding missing from a top drawer (picture 9), the interior dividers missing from bottom drawer (picture 10), utensil damage to interior of one top drawer (picture 11). All that said, the piece is strong and tight, very solid, and, in my opinion, none of the relatively normal wear issues I mentioned detract from the overall appearance. The dimensions are approximately 34 and 1/4" tall, 16 and 3/4" deep, and the top is about 32 and 3/4 wide (the columns each extend about an inch beyond that on either side).
A very nice and hard to find form of American Classical Furniture. The item "Rare & Unusual Antique American Empire Mahogany Silver Chest Classical Federal" is in sale since Tuesday, May 26, 2015. This item is in the category "Antiques\Furniture\Sideboards & Buffets\1800-1899".The seller is "zochasbears" and is located in Shrewsbury, New Jersey. This item can't be shipped, the buyer must pick up the item.