A chest of drawers is a functional piece of furniture for any home, and an antique chest of drawers will add elegance and a sense of history to its surroundings. With the choice available, it’s important to understand the different eras and styles, and what to look for when buying.
The history of the chest of drawers
An evolution of the simple chest with base drawers, the dedicated chest of drawers as we know it today emerged in the mid-17th century. Some early examples featured a table top that was extendable with the addition of a flat slide with pull handles. These chests of drawers were supported on bun feet, ball feet or on stands with stretchers to connect the legs. Simple drawer pulls were made from turned wood with later pieces featuring brass pulls with escutcheons. The basic rectangular shape of a chest of drawers has changed very little across the years but there have been stylistic trends, with chests becoming generally more decorative from the mid-18th century. Decorative additions included bow fronts, bevelled corners and fretwork.
Popular periods of antique chests of drawers
When it comes to choosing an antique chest of drawers, different historical periods have each had an influence in the design and shape we see in today’s market. The Victorian chest of drawers is a popular choice for today’s homeowners, while collectors understand the impact of different styles and eras on value.
The Georgian chest of drawers
Georgian chests of drawers were generally made to order, and finer examples featured handmade dovetail joints and were lined with oak. Made predominantly from exotic mahogany and home grown oak, the Georgian chest of drawers was finished with generous veneers. Feet were shaped and handles were usually swan-neck or decorative oval brass.
The Regency chest of drawers
Handmade dovetail joints, beaded edging and decorative brass handles and stringing are all typical features of the Regency chest of drawers. At the height of their popularity in the early 19th century, these chests of drawers had bracket feet, with later examples standing on smaller, turned feet. Simple of design, the Regency chest of drawers has an understated feel and will feature a patina that cannot be replicated easily in reproduction pieces.
The Victorian chest of drawers
Queen Victoria’s penchant for elaborate furnishings and interior décor undoubtedly had an influence on furniture designers of the period. Today there is nothing to compare to a Victorian chest of drawers and they are known for being extremely well made. New homes in the Victorian era were spacious with high ceilings, and furniture makers crafted chests of drawers of generous proportions that would fit the space. They often featured softly curved sides, bow fronts and bun feet. Victorian chests of drawers were the first to go into mass production towards the end of the 19th century when woodworking machinery was introduced to the industry.
The Edwardian chest of drawers
Very much a product of the woodworking machinery introduced in the Victorian era, the Edwardian chest of drawers was manufactured from quality woods such as satinwood, walnut and mahogany. Often embellished with ebony or boxwood, the finest examples were made by such coveted cabinetmakers as Maple & Co., and Waring & Gillows. Often cabinetmakers would recycle and rework Georgian and Victorian chests of drawers which would then fit well in any size of house.
Antique chests of drawers at Hemswell Antique Centres
A visit to Hemswell Antique Centres will reward you with a selection of antique chests of drawers beyond your wildest dreams. Our four buildings are filled with the finest examples from every era, handpicked by our specialist dealers, many of whom are members of LAPADA, the UK’s largest association of professional art and antiques dealers. We have a small selection of antique chests of drawers online, along with other fine period furniture and for those who prefer a more rustic aesthetic, we have some lovely pine chests of drawers for sale too.
