Antique Chest Of Drawers
Antique Chest of Drawers for Sale UK
Antique Chest of Drawers
An antique chest of drawers combines practical everyday storage with enduring beauty. Whether you need a Georgian mahogany tallboy for a bedroom, a French Vernis Martin commode for a drawing room, or a compact Victorian satinwood chest, the 18th and 19th centuries produced drawer furniture of exceptional quality and variety.
At Hawkins Antiques we stock a fine and constantly changing selection — Georgian mahogany chests, French ormolu-mounted commodes, Vernis Martin bombe commodes, satinwood painted chests, and Victorian walnut pieces. Every piece is hand-selected for quality of construction and honest condition.
Based in Barry, South Wales, we deliver throughout the UK using our trusted two-man white-glove delivery service.
Our Stock
Types of Antique Chest of Drawers We Stock
Our collection spans British and French drawer furniture from the Georgian, Victorian, and Edwardian periods.
Georgian Mahogany Chests
Bow-fronted, serpentine, or straight-front chests in rich Cuban or Honduras mahogany — with elegant bracket feet, cock-beaded drawers, and brass bail handles. The gold standard of British chest of drawer making, c.1760–1830.
French Commodes
Bombe or serpentine commodes in kingwood, tulipwood, or marquetry veneers with ormolu mounts and marble tops. Among the most beautiful and sought-after pieces of French antique furniture — equally at home in a bedroom, drawing room, or hallway.
Vernis Martin Commodes
French commodes decorated with hand-painted Vernis Martin panels — typically showing romantic pastoral or floral scenes — set within ormolu frames on kingwood carcasses. Exceptional decorative pieces that are also genuinely practical.
Satinwood Painted Chests
Edwardian chests of drawers in satinwood with hand-painted floral decoration and elegant proportions. Light, beautiful, and perfectly suited to both period and contemporary bedrooms.
Victorian Walnut Chests
Burr walnut and figured walnut chests of drawers — often with turned handles, bracket feet, and mirror backs. Substantial, beautiful, and extremely practical for everyday bedroom storage.
Wellington & Military Chests
Campaign-style chests in mahogany with flush brass fittings, recessed handles, and a removable upper section. Robust, practical, and with a strong masculine aesthetic. Particularly popular in studies and dressing rooms.
Expert Advice
Buying Guide: Antique Chest of Drawers
Drawer Construction & Authenticity
The drawers of a genuine antique chest are one of the most reliable indicators of age and authenticity. Look for hand-cut dovetail joints — slightly irregular, with the pins hand-sawn and the tails hand-chiselled. The drawer bottom should be solid wood, running from front to back, with a slight shrinkage gap visible at the side. Machine-cut dovetails indicate a later or reproduction piece.
Handles & Fittings
Original handles add significantly to the value and authenticity of a chest of drawers. On Georgian pieces, look for oval brass plates with bail handles — the brass should show a warm, slightly uneven patina consistent with age. Replaced handles are common and acceptable but should be noted. We always indicate handle originality in our listings.
Top Condition
The top surface of a chest of drawers receives the most wear and exposure. Some patina, minor marks, and slight fading are expected and desirable on a genuine antique. Check for significant veneer damage, water staining, or heavy repolishing — a heavily repolished surface destroys the patina that gives an antique piece its character and value.
French Commode Condition
On French commodes, check the marble top carefully for cracks or chips — replacements are common and significantly affect value. Examine the ormolu mounts for completeness and originality. Check the veneer on the bombe sides, which are the most vulnerable area. We always provide a full condition report on our French pieces.
UK Delivery on All Antique Chests of Drawers
All chests of drawers are delivered by our trusted two-man antique delivery team — fully wrapped, insured, and placed in the room of your choice. We deliver throughout England, Wales, and Scotland. Call us on 01446 744271 to discuss delivery to your location.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an antique commode?
How do I tell a genuine Georgian chest from a reproduction?
Are antique chests of drawers practical for everyday use?
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Do you buy antique chests of drawers?
Browse Our Antique Chests of Drawers
Stock changes regularly — new pieces sourced from private estates across the UK and Europe.
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