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.
ActFurniture LTD
Antique 19th Century Bow Fronted Chest of Drawers in Mahogany
£ 440
Town House Traders Ltd
Brass Bound Mahogany Military Campaign Chest of Drawers
£ 385
Vintage World
Vintage French Chest of Drawers
£ 329
Town House Traders Ltd
Antique Burr Walnut Serpentine Small Chest of Drawers
£ 360
Vintage World
Vintage Chest of Drawers c.1950
£ 299
In a Nutshell Antiques & Interiors Ltd
Georgian Mahogany Chest on Chest
£ 1,125
Vintage World
Vintage Chest of Drawers c.1940
£ 369
Vintage World
Vintage French Chest of Drawers
£ 329
London City Antiques
Antique George III Quality Figured Mahogany Inlaid Bow Front Chest of 4 Drawers
£ 1,395
Antique George III Quality Figured Mahogany Inlaid Bow Front Chest of 4 Drawers
£ 1,395
London City Antiques
Vintage World
Vintage Chest of Drawers c.1940
£ 369
Vintage World
Vintage French Chest of Drawers
£ 399
Vintage World
Vintage French Louis XIV Chest of Drawers
£ 329
Vintage World
Vintage French Chest of Drawers
£ 299
Vintage World
Vintage Chest of Drawers
£ 329
Worboys Antiques
Small Walnut Chest of Drawers
£ 195
Marylebone Antiques
Pair of Military Campaign Style Bedside Chests
£ 950
CS & T Ornate Objects & Furniture
Small Serpentine Burr Walnut Veneered Chest of Drawers
£ 225
Small Serpentine Burr Walnut Veneered Chest of Drawers
£ 225
CS & T Ornate Objects & Furniture
Worboys Antiques
Walnut Chest of Drawers
£ 495
CS & T Ornate Objects & Furniture
Solid Oak Rustic Tallboy or High Chest, 7 Large Drawers - Mid Century
£ 895
Solid Oak Rustic Tallboy or High Chest, 7 Large Drawers - Mid Century
£ 895
CS & T Ornate Objects & Furniture
CS & T Ornate Objects & Furniture
Mid Century Harris Lebus Style Chest of Drawers Art Deco Style Handles
£ 295
Mid Century Harris Lebus Style Chest of Drawers Art Deco Style Handles
£ 295
CS & T Ornate Objects & Furniture
Rettendon Antiques
19th Century Burr Walnut Batchelors Chest Drawers
£ 650
LT Antiques
Small Light Mahogany Georgian Chest
£ 875
Stalham Antique Gallery
Georgian Four Drawer Chest in Oak
£ 440
Vintage World
Vintage French Chest of Drawers
£ 299
London City Antiques
Antique Edwardian Quality Mahogany Serpentine Shaped Chest of 4 Drawers
£ 1,295
Antique Edwardian Quality Mahogany Serpentine Shaped Chest of 4 Drawers
£ 1,295
London City Antiques
Vintage World
French Chest of Drawers / Sideboard
£ 299
Penderyn Antiques
Antique 19th Century Mahogany Chest of Drawers
£ 795
Vintage World
French Chest of Drawers
£ 369
Vintage World
French Chest of Drawers c.1940
£ 369
Martlesham Antiques
Early 19th Century Mahogany Chest
£ 1,350
London City Antiques
Antique George III Quality Mahogany Chest on Stand
£ 1,685
Martlesham Antiques
Early 18th Century Walnut Chest
£ 2,450
Fernyhough Antiques Ltd
Regency Painted Bowed Chest of Drawers
£ 895
£ 465
Vintage World
Vintage French Chest of Drawers
£ 329
Vintage World
Vintage French Chest of Drawers / Sideboard
£ 369
Victoria Antiques
Georgian 5 Drawer Chest of Drawers
£ 150
Newark Antiques and Interiors Ltd
Small Pine Painted Bank of Drawers
£ 455
In a Nutshell Antiques & Interiors Ltd
Victorian Burr Walnut Wellington Chest
£ 1,295
Graham Smith Antiques Ltd
Georgian Inlaid Mahogany Chest
£ 1,250
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.