When was the chest of drawers invented

Title: Chest of drawers. Maker: John Townsend — Date: Culture: American. Medium: Mahogany, tulip poplar, pine, chestnut. Credit Line: Rogers Fund, Accession Number: Essays John Townsend Timelines The United States, A.

Visiting The Met? Browse the Collection. Here the chief change was the turned and reeded leg and column, all but disengaged at the front corners, which replaced the French foot. Also many chests of drawers were made entirely of mahogany and toward the close of the period, some were fashioned with a mirror attached by scroll supports which were anchored in the top at the back.

About came the beginning of the end, artistically at least, since it brought in the American Empire which from the start was heavier and less delicate in details of both design and decorative carving. Mahogany was the principal wood used and many tops, drawer fronts and sides were of rich crotch-grained mahogany veneered on native American soft woods, chiefly white pine.

The front feet were carved to simulate animal paws and there was a pair of half-round pilasters surmounting them. If these were carved, the pineapple and acanthus leaf were favorite motifs. Twenty years of American Empire resulted in more bulk and less carving to be followed by the Greek Revival style, inspired as the name indicates by the architecture of ancient Greece.

In this new style the chest of drawers , made almost entirely of crotch-grained mahogany veneer, generally had columns at the front corners but the carved paw feet were replaced by turned ones generally higher than wide. In other words, the chest of drawers had taken on the outlines of a Grecian temple with the peak roof above the frieze omitted.

This article originally appeared in American Collector magazine, a publication which ran from and served antique collectors and dealers. Hello I have a very early Ye Olde Randolph early american 8 drawer dresser. Can you help me know its age and its worth had a metal stamp inside the drawer. We have an antique dresser and did not know the year or value of it.

It has an attached mirror, and three small drawers on each side. It also has an open space in the the middle where you can fit in a chair. It also has eight legs. If you could identify or give us an idea, that would be great!

Thanks, JoAnn Wade. Your name required. Your email will not be published required. Your comment. Collectors Weekly. Sign in. All Categories All. June 20th, at am JoAnn Wade Says: We have an antique dresser and did not know the year or value of it.

Your name required Your email will not be published required Your comment. According to the Encyclopedia Brittanica: Highboy, also called tallboy, a high or double chest of drawers known technically as a chest -on-stand and a chest -on- chest , respectively. Chest of Drawers - A chest of drawers is usually more narrow and taller than dresser. It is traditionally a piece of bedroom furniture and is used for storing clothing. A Gentleman's dresser refers to the chest of drawers most often used by the man of the house.

Synonyms for dresser closet. The largest dressers are known as highboys or the British version, tallboys. Also known as a chest-on-chest, highboys are made with two separate pieces -- a base chest of drawers supporting an upper chest of drawers. Another version of a highboy, the armoire, has a cabinet as the upper half with drawers underneath. Sometimes it's not the use of the dresser that's unique, but where you put it.

A dresser in the living room can store extra blankets or board games. In the bedroom , try the dresser at the foot of the bed like a bench or chest. Nobody says that a dresser only belongs against a wall in the bedroom. Look at the back side of the chest of drawers and inside all the drawers.

A label or stamp often contains the name of the company that made the chest of drawers and, in some cases, lists the year or city of manufacture. If the piece was handmade, there may be some indication such as initials or a name on the piece. Choosing What's Best for Your Bedroom However, a shorter chest of drawers could double as a nightstand.

For those with plenty of space, a dresser may be better. While dressers are bulky, their larger, wider drawers allow you to stow away more clothing. A dresser with a mirror attached is called a bureau. Typically the wardrobe section runs down one side of the piece, while the drawers occupy the other side.

A tallboy is a piece of furniture incorporating a chest of drawers and a wardrobe on top.