Authentic Dorothy Draper Espana Chest in Black Bean, circa 1955

Authentic Dorothy Draper España chest, shown in black bean. The crème de la crème - the most iconic of Hollywood Regency glam - is Dorothy Draper's España bunching chest. Dorothy Draper (1889-1969), America's most famous decorator, produced her most sought after and iconic pieces - the España bunching chest and the España cabinet - after touring Spain for inspiration at the invitation of the Spanish government whom wished to spark interest in Spain's culture through furnishings emblematic of its rich history and traditions.

The España chest is the most readily recognized and certainly the most well-known piece representative of midcentury Hollywood Regency style. Most recently, a pair was featured in the “Sex in the City” film in the Vogue Editor’s - played by Candice Bergman - office and in FX's Feud, where a pair was used in the glamorous interpretation of Joan Crawford's Hollywood bedroom. We also noted that Jarrod Blandino, the founder of Too Faced Cosmetics, has a pair in his executive office. The design is timeless and has multiple uses.

You can rest assured in the authenticity of these España Chests - they are branded with the "Henredon Heritage" stamp. The "Henredon Heritage" stamp also means these particular chests were some of the first made in production circa 1955. Later chests carry a single "Heritage" stamp. The chests also include original top drawer trays - another rarity as original trays are often lost or separated.

The chest shown was beautifully restored in black bean, as originally produced. The incised design and gold accents give the illusion of multiple smaller drawers each with its own pull (the chest has three drawers). The original brass pulls have been brought back to their original high shine and meticulously polished. Our photos reveal the shine of the pulls is reflected by the shine of the black bean lacquer. You simply will not find a higher quality, refinished and authentic España chest elsewhere.

In terms of placement, authentic España chests have finished backs so they may be used as room dividers but are most often placed in entries, as nightstands or stand alone decorative pieces in any room or office.