An antique chest of drawers is central to any bedroom as it not only adds much needed charm to the space but often provides deeper drawers than its modern counterpart. They first appeared in the mid-17th Century from a large coffer or chest with drawers in the base. There are many sizes, looks and drawer combinations that you can choose from but the most popular remain the bow front and the serpentine fronted chests of the 18th and 19th Centuries found in oak, mahogany or painted. Often these chests would be decorated with sweeping legs, intricate inlays or cuts of veneer and were complemented with well-cast brass handles.
The great thing about antique and vintage chests is that you know they were well made when new as they have already survived sometimes hundreds of years. Antique chests can be found in all sizes and forms from Bedside Drawers and smaller sized Chests to the larger Wellington and Tallboy Chests with their banks of drawers.
During the 20th Century the form of the chest of drawers did not change, but the decoration did. Within the Arts and Crafts period people were admiring the honesty of a simple well-constructed wooden piece, and by the Mid-Century designers were exploring slender Atomic-style legs and bold coloured melamine finishes.
When looking for a unique chest of drawers for the bedroom then Antique and Vintage examples really do offer many great choices, and at LoveAntiques we have an unrivalled selection for you.
Penderyn Antiques
Victorian Antique Pine Chest of Drawers
£ 650
£ 1,550
Pair of Mid-victorian Neat-sized, Figured Walnut Slim Chests of Drawers
£ 1,550
Georgian Antiques
Marylebone Antiques
Antique French Inlaid Parquetry Commode
£ 795
Richie Perrott Antiques
A Fine Early 19th‑century Swedish Gustavian Chest
£ 995
Pear Tree Antiques
A Georgian Style Mahogany Bureau Bookcase
£ 895
Walton House Antiques Ltd
Small George III Mahogany Chest of Drawers
£ 1,550
The Old Yard
Victorian 5 Drawer Pine Chest of Drawers
£ 585
Penderyn Antiques
Victorian Antique Pine Chest of Drawers
£ 595
£ 1,450
Marlborough Antiques & Interiors
Mahogany Chest of Drawers c.1890
£ 295
Rawlings Antiques
Antique Walnut Chest on Chest Tallboy
£ 795
Walton House Antiques Ltd
George III Mahogany Chest on Chest
£ 1,950
Millers Antiques
Oak Chest of Drawers (45cm Wide)
£ 350
£ 249.99
Antique & Decorative
Pair of Victorian Bedside Chest of Drawers
£ 1,260
Knight Fine Antiques & Collectables
Antique Style Flame Mahogany Serpentine Bedside Chest of 4 Drawers
£ 195
Antique Style Flame Mahogany Serpentine Bedside Chest of 4 Drawers
£ 195
Knight Fine Antiques & Collectables
Founders Antiques
Antique Victorian Scumbled Pine Chest of Drawers c.1860
£ 545
ActFurniture LTD
Antique 20th Century Fine Quality Chest Of Drawers In Walnut
£ 685
Marylebone Antiques
Vintage Teak Fresco Chest of Drawers by G Plan
£ 395
Debenham Antiques Ltd
Scandinavian 19th Century Birch Chest of Drawers
£ 1,995
ActFurniture LTD
Antique 20th Century Chest Of Drawers In Mahogany
£ 495
ActFurniture LTD
Antique 20th Century Barley Twist Chest of Drawers in Oak
£ 585
Billy Hunt
Super Mid Century Oak Chest of Drawers
£ 590
£ 415
Richie Perrott Antiques
An Early 20th‑century Mahogany Campaign Chest
£ 1,200
ActFurniture LTD
Antique 20th Century Bobbin Turned Chest Of Drawers In Oak
£ 495
ActFurniture LTD
Antique 20th Century Good Quality Chest Of Drawers In Oak
£ 585
James O'Malley Antiques
Art Deco Walnut Tallboy Chest of Drawers
£ 1,425
Holmes Antiques
18th Century Mahogany Tallboy
£ 1,500
Holmes Antiques
Rare Queen Anne Walnut Chest On Chest
£ 4,900
Antique & Decorative
George III Hall Chest of Drawers
£ 890
In a Nutshell Antiques & Interiors Ltd
Georgian Mahogany Chest of Drawers
£ 695
Martlesham Antiques
Early 19th Century Flame Mahogany Bowfront Chest of Drawers
£ 1,850
Prior & Willis Antiques
Antique Fine Quality 19th Century Inlaid Mahogany Chest of Drawers - Mawer & Stephenson
£ 1,746.50
Antique Fine Quality 19th Century Inlaid Mahogany Chest of Drawers - Mawer & Stephenson
£ 1,746.50
Prior & Willis Antiques
Millers Antiques
Scottish Mid Century Chest of Drawers McIntosh
£ 450
Antique Furniture Direct
Edwardian Mahogany Music Cabinet / Chest Drawers
£ 350
Philip Hunt Antiques
Victorian Mahogany Chest of Drawers
£ 925
Salisbury Antiques Centre
George III Mahogany Chest of Drawers
£ 960
The Old Yard
Victorian Scumble Painted Pine Chest of Drawers
£ 950
Marylebone Antiques
Mahogany Military Campaign Style Chest of Drawers
£ 1,250
Vintage Antique Chest of Drawers FAQs
How do you date an old chest of drawers?
If they’re original, the handles would be a good indication. The pear drop handles on each drawer will tell you that the furniture will either be from the Queen Anne or the William and Mary period. Swan neck handles would mean that the item was created from the 1750s onwards. Mouldings would also be able to tell you the date these chests were manufactured. The 17th century had mouldings applied to the carcass, but in the 18th century, these were transferred to the drawers’ edges. During the George II period, the drawers had ovolo mouldings. By 1760, cock bead moulding was used on drawers.
What's the difference between an antique dresser and an antique chest of drawers?
A dresser or the dressing table has drawers where folded clothes as well as lingerie were kept. It has a mirror attached to it. A chest of drawers, on the other hand, only has drawers as well as a top space.
How do I identify an antique chest of drawers?
Check the inside as well as the back side of the chest of drawers. You should be able to find a stamp or label that would indicate the name of the company that created the furniture. There are also some cases wherein the year as well as the city where the antique chest was created would be placed. Much like other antiques, if hand crafted, you would find indications like the name or the initials. Other than being built using wood such as teak, burr walnut, oak, and mahogany, these items also have notable features; for example, you could find an antique chest of drawers on wheels, which lessened any problem on mobility. A large antique chest of drawers in the United Kingdom, including an antique tall chest of drawers, could cost between £300 and £7,000. There are chests with bun feet, which could cost between £125 and £3800, or even more, called as such due to the feet being shaped like a flattened sphere, a known feature in 17th century furniture. Time periods such as the Georgian and Victorian regency eras, Edwardian, Queen Anne, William Mary, 18th century, and 19th century each have notable characteristics that would help a dealer value these types of antiques.
What's the meaning of chest of drawers?
Chest of drawers refers to a furniture piece with a set of drawers in its frame. This versatile and essential type of storage is where clothes are usually kept, but it can also store other things. Albeit ideally for the bedroom, the chest of drawers can also be placed in other areas such as the studies and sitting rooms.
How much should I pay for a vintage chest of drawers?
A vintage style chest of drawers sale UK dealers are offering could start at £220. The cost of an old vintage chest of drawers varies among sellers, but it depends on a lot of factors, from the condition of the item to its rarity, to the material used.


