Tall Chest

With the added benefit of providing storage and adding to the aesthetics of your room, tall chests are available in all kinds of styles to suit your décor. When looking to dress up your bedroom with a stylish look that will impress anyone who appreciates antiques, an antique tall chest can be a great addition. Antique tall chests have a history, elegance, and beauty that cannot be found in modern designs. If you have a smaller bedroom, tall chests are perfect for making the most of your space. Our selection of vintage and antique tall chests on Bidsquare includes romantic French tall dressers, 1950s mid-century moderns, and more traditional English chests. 

Chests of drawers and mirror sets were very popular during the Victorian era and into the early 20th century. Mirrored chests found their way into nearly every bedroom as they exuded a luxurious feel like a bathroom vanity. A chest and mirror set can add some old-world glamour to any bedroom or, even provide functionality to a hallway, an entryway, or a dining room. Modern bedrooms might benefit from a straight-lined minimalist design, whereas traditional bedrooms might be better served by victorian, art deco, and ornate designs. Your room's size will largely determine the size of your chests. If you have the space, choose a chest with low, wide drawers to maintain the feeling of spaciousness. You can get the same capacity in a tall chest of drawers while occupying a smaller space. 

Chests - A Brief History

Chests Dating Back to the Pre-17th Century
Despite their prevalence in modern homes, chests of drawers were unknown before the 17th century. In the middle-to-late 17th century, a chest emerged as a separate item of furniture. The chest was not totally full of drawers until the 1670s; instead, they were having a drawer and an open space.

Chests in the 17th Century
As the 1680s approached, chests would resemble our modern furnishings more than the coffer chests of the past - with three long drawers of varying depths, and two shorter drawers above, adjacent to each other. Obviously, even the aristocracy was impressed by the convenience of this design. The chest soon began adapting to changing styles as a result of this modern take on the traditional coffer chest.

Chests in the Queen Anne Era
The drawers of a chest from the 18th century usually feature oak lining, and the outer casing may be made from walnut. The Queen Anne period and the early Georgian period were eras in which walnut was highly regarded for making furniture of high quality and beauty. Pine may have been used to line some of the drawers in place of oak, however. Despite not being as high quality in comparison to oak-lined drawers, these pieces can still be considered authentic pieces from the Queen Anne era. Antique chests of drawers with pear-drop handles are most likely to be original pieces from Queen Anne's time. Swan neck handles are typically found on handles made after 1750. This period often saw chests of drawers such as Rococo furniture that were adorned with floral and trellis patterns, evoking the fashion of the time. Walnut furniture was a popular choice because of its superior quality and great beauty during this era of decadence and opulence, and this tradition of collecting walnut antique furniture continues today.

Chests in the Georgian Era
Styles during the Georgian period differed greatly from those during the Queen Anne period - this period is known for its neoclassical designs that are cleaner, simpler, and more streamlined. There was a high value placed on quality, with a higher level of craftsmanship. It is most likely that an antique chest of drawers made out of mahogany comes from this era. The chest of drawers also evolved in design from the mid-18th century. Chests with serpentine shapes became more popular, but bow-fronted designs remained popular as well. Chippendale designs also gained popularity during this time.

From the 19th Century Onwards
During the late 17th and 18th centuries, the chest of drawers became popular and iconic, and their distinctive features remain intact in antique and modern versions alike. Through the Victorian era, mahogany and walnut remained popular materials for furniture of superior quality and long-term durability. During this period, lavish designs became prevalent, often featuring floral carvings on the chests of drawers, bringing a unique aesthetic to Victorian-era furniture. An antique piece, whether a small chest or a large chest, will make a great focal point in any house. On Bidsquare, you will find a beautiful antique that looks amazing in your home, regardless of what period of history you prefer.