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.
Beresford Antiques Ltd
Five Height Mahogany Chest of Drawers with Provenance
£ 595
LT Antiques
Serpentine Walnut Tallboy Chest of Drawers
£ 1,450
Timeless Furniture UK
Edwardian Mahogany Chest of Two Short Over One Long Drawer
£ 160
Graham Deakin Antiques
Georgian Mahogany Chest of Drawers
£ 325
Lee Wright Antiques Ltd
Pair of 19th Century French Empire Period Mahogany Commodes
£ 7,500
Lee Wright Antiques Ltd
18th Century French Louis XVI Period Walnut Commode
£ 3,200
Penderyn Antiques
Antique Victorian Mahogany Chest of Drawers
£ 695
Marylebone Antiques
Antique Walnut Chest of Drawers
£ 1,525
£ 399
£ 429
Vintage World
Vintage French Chest of Drawers Storage
£ 299
London City Antiques
Antique George III Quality Mahogany Chest of Five Drawers
£ 1,285
Barnaby's of Battle
Mid Century Tallboy Chest of Drawers in Medieval Style
£ 295
Barnaby's of Battle
Antique Country Pine Two Over Two Chest of Drawers 1920s
£ 270
The Old Pine Shop
Quality Old Georgian! Pine Chest Of Drawers/ Sideboard
£ 699
Penderyn Antiques
Antique 19th Century Mahogany Chest of Drawers
£ 650
Town House Traders Ltd
Pair Antique Burr Walnut Bedside Chest Draws
£ 750
Town House Traders Ltd
Quality Pair Mahogany Bedside Chest Draws
£ 425
Martlesham Antiques
Early 19th Century Georgian Mahogany Bowfront Chest
£ 1,650
Paul Watson Antiques & Interiors Norfolk
Queen Anne Revival Walnut Chest on Stand Circa 1920s
£ 1,350
Queen Anne Revival Walnut Chest on Stand Circa 1920s
£ 1,350
Paul Watson Antiques & Interiors Norfolk
Alain Michel Antiques
Important Campaign Or Military Chest Of Drawers In Walnut - 19th Century
€ 3,800
Important Campaign Or Military Chest Of Drawers In Walnut - 19th Century
€ 3,800
Alain Michel Antiques
Camden Antiques
Serpentine Chest of Drawers by Waring & Gillow
£ 1,250
NP & A SALT ANTIQUES
Superb Victorian Mahogany Chest of Drawers
£ 295
Georgian Antiques
Walnut Chest by Whytock & Reid of Edinburgh
£ 2,750
Town House Traders Ltd
Mid Century Teak Bedside Chest Draws
£ 220
Town House Traders Ltd
Quality Pair of Mahogany Bedside Chest Drawers
£ 425
In a Nutshell Antiques & Interiors Ltd
Georgian Mahogany Chest of Drawers
£ 595
London City Antiques
Antique Victorian Quality Mahogany Chest of 4 Drawers
£ 1,185
Barnaby's of Battle
Vintage Japanese Small Three Drawer Chest of Drawers 1920s
£ 180
The Old Pine Shop
Huge! Quality Old Victorian Pine Chest of Drawers / Sideboard
£ 799
Antique & Modern Living
A George III Bow-fronted Chest
£ 1,675
£ 4,450
Cloverleaf Home Interiors
Rare Welsh Oak Secretaire Cupboard on Chest c.1790
£ 1,050
Unique Antiques By Emma Jade
Antique George III Quality Mahogany Inlaid Chest of Four Drawers
£ 1,850
Antique George III Quality Mahogany Inlaid Chest of Four Drawers
£ 1,850
Unique Antiques By Emma Jade
The Old Pine Shop
Large Rustic Old Victorian Pine Chest Drawers / Sideboard
£ 599
The Old Pine Shop
Superb Large Shallow Old Pine Chest Drawers / Sideboard
£ 599
Georgian Antiques
Early 19th Century Dutch Marquetry Inlaid Mahogany Bookcase on Chest
£ 2,750
Early 19th Century Dutch Marquetry Inlaid Mahogany Bookcase on Chest
£ 2,750
Georgian Antiques
Georgian Antiques
Pair of Victorian Small Mahogany Chest of Drawers/Bedside Lockers
£ 1,325
Salisbury Antiques Centre
Fine Regency Mahogany Bowfronted Chest of Drawers
£ 880
Philip Hunt Antiques
Victorian Painted 2 Over 3 Chest of Drawers
£ 745
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.