Chests of drawers have evolved since the 1600s, originally from storage chests and have been a fundamental piece of home furnishings for storage ever since. Commode is the French term for a chest of drawers.

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There are different variations of chest of drawers:

• Chests on chests - also known as tallboys, were originally inspired by the 16th-century French meuble en deux corps (two-part piece of furniture) and are recorded to have first appeared in England in the late 17th century. 

• Wellington chests - named after the Duke of Wellington, whose successful campaigns against Napoleon made him a national hero, were first introduced in the 1820s. These are characterised by their tall, narrow form and by the stiles (uprights) fixed to either side of the drawers, one of the stiles is hinged to cover the drawers' ends at one side, which allows the chest to be locked.

• Chest on stands - also known as High Chest of Drawers or high boys, were a development of the chest of drawers in which the form comprises a series of short drawers to the top, with three or four graduated drawers beneath, situated on a stand.

• Bachelor's Chests - These were originally placed in a "bachelor's bedroom apartments" and were conceived as multi-purpose chests for storage, dressing and writing. During the 18th century the forms became increasingly sophisticated with introduction of the brush and slide.

 

Shop below fine and luxury antique chest of drawers from different unique styles and ages!​​