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.
Tony Youll Antiques
Satin Birch Commode or Chest
£ 1,250
London City Antiques
Magnificent Antique George III Mahogany Chest on Chest
£ 2,950
Antique Furniture Direct
Tall Oak Chest of Drawers with Printers Block Handles
£ 395
Marylebone Antiques
Antique French Marquetry Inlaid Marble Top Bombe Secretaire Chest
£ 1,500
Antique French Marquetry Inlaid Marble Top Bombe Secretaire Chest
£ 1,500
Marylebone Antiques
Old Painted Furniture
Mid 18th Century Painted Walnut Country Chest of Drawers
£ 395
Antique & Modern Living
Attractive Small Georgian Chest of Drawers
£ 950
Alain Michel Antiques
Pair of Marquetry Bedside Tables - 18th Century France
€ 2,700
London City Antiques
Antique George III Figured Mahogany Chest on Chest
£ 3,950
Marylebone Antiques
Georgian Style Burr Walnut Chest of Drawers c.1930
£ 1,250
£ 650
Rawlings Antiques
Victorian Bow Front Chest of Drawers
£ 395
Lee Wright Antiques Ltd
18th Century Louis XV Period Walnut Bombe Commode
£ 4,850
Rawlings Antiques
Pair of Victorian Mahogany Bedside Chests of Drawers
£ 875
Penderyn Antiques
Antique Georgian Oak Chest of Drawers
£ 795
Antiques & Chic
Georgian Campaign Chest
£ 1,195
London City Antiques
Outstanding Original George I Antique Quality Figured Walnut Chest of Drawers
£ 3,650
Outstanding Original George I Antique Quality Figured Walnut Chest of Drawers
£ 3,650
London City Antiques
Marylebone Antiques
Antique Mahogany Military Campaign Chest of Drawers
£ 950
Marylebone Antiques
Antique Mahogany Slim Bow Front Chest of Drawers
£ 950
Vintage World
Vintage French Chest of Drawers
£ 399
Vintage World
Vintage French Chest of Drawers
£ 449
Vintage World
Vintage Chest of Drawers
£ 299
Harry Raine Antiques
Queen Anne Style Walnut Chest on Chest
£ 345
Vintage World
Vintage French Louis XIV Style Chest of Drawers
£ 449
Vintage World
Vintage Chest of Drawers
£ 369
Harry Raine Antiques
Mahogany Secretaire Chest / Wellington Chest / Campaign Desk
£ 750
Vintage World
Vintage Chest of Drawers
£ 449
Vintage World
French Antique Marble Topped Chest of Drawers
£ 699
Vintage World
French Antique Marble Topped Chest of Drawers
£ 699
Vintage House
Regency Bow Front Mahogany Chest of Drawers c.1820
£ 395
Harry Raine Antiques
Figured Inlaid Mahogany Bow Front Chest of Drawers
£ 285
£ 499
£ 499
Old Painted Furniture
Early 19th Century Mahogany Gentleman's Chest of Drawers
£ 525
ActFurniture LTD
Antique 18th Century William & Mary Chest of Drawers in Walnut
£ 1,785
Beresford Antiques Ltd
Arts & Crafts Burr Walnut Three Height Chest of Drawers by Miller & Co Leeds
£ 395
Arts & Crafts Burr Walnut Three Height Chest of Drawers by Miller & Co Leeds
£ 395
Beresford Antiques Ltd
ActFurniture LTD
Antique 18th Century Bow Fronted Chest of Drawers in Mahogany
£ 650
The Club Chair Studio @ Matt Black Interiors
Beautiful Marble Top 19th Century French Mahogany Chest of Drawers
£ 945
Beautiful Marble Top 19th Century French Mahogany Chest of Drawers
£ 945
The Club Chair Studio @ Matt Black Interiors
Penderyn Antiques
Antique 19th Century Two Part Oak Chest of Drawers
£ 795
ActFurniture LTD
20th Century Chest of Drawers in Oak
£ 385
ActFurniture LTD
Antique 19th Century Chest of Drawers in Mahogany
£ 585
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.