If the handles are original it will give a very good indication of the age of the chest. A pear drop handle will suggest the chest will be William and Mary or Queen Anne period whereas a swan neck handle would be found on pieces that post date 1750. Drawer mouldings will also give an indication of the age of the chest.
How do I identify an antique chest of drawers?
Look carefully at the bottom, sides, and back of the drawer; if the wood shows nicks or cuts, it was probably cut with a plane, a spokeshave, or a drawknife. Straight saw marks also indicate an old piece. If the wood shows circular or arc-shaped marks, it was cut by a circular saw, not in use until about 1860.
What era is my chest of drawers?
The antique chest of drawers dates back to the 16th and 17th centuries, when social change was rapidly developing in Europe. Back then, youd expect to see big joints secured by iron nails - it was only at the end of the 17th century that dovetailing was used and craftsmen began experimenting with different designs.
Whats the difference between a chest of drawers and a dresser?
First, you should know the difference between a chest of drawers and a dresser. However, a dresser is usually wide and short, while a chest of drawers is narrow and tall. Dressers are meant to provide a space you can dress in front of – the top serves as a table to place clothes and provides space for a mirror.
What is a gentlemans chest?
A gentlemans chest is so named for its tall cabinet section that offers enough length to hang dress pants, ties, suits, and other hanging clothing. The design features a column of drawers with a large cabinet for hanging clothes beside the drawers.
What is a high chest of drawers called?
Highboy Highboy, also called tallboy, a high or double chest of drawers (known technically as a chest-on-stand and a chest-on-chest, respectively). The name highboy is derived from a corruption of the French bois (“wood”) and became common in English in the late 1600s.
How can you identify a Chippendale?
0:092:34How to identify an unsigned Chippendale style chair, Dr. Lori YouTube