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 that no modern flat-pack alternative can match. Whether you need a Georgian mahogany bow-front for a bedroom, a French Vernis Martin commode for a drawing room, or a compact Victorian satinwood chest, the 18th and 19th centuries produced antique chests of drawers of exceptional quality and variety.

At Hawkins Antiques we stock a fine and constantly changing selection of antique chests of drawers for sale - 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 by a specialist dealer with over 65 years of experience.

All antique chests of drawers are delivered free to the UK mainland using our trusted two-man white-glove antique delivery service - fully wrapped, insured, and placed in the room of your choice. Browse our current stock below or contact us to discuss specific requirements.

Antique chest of drawers for sale at Hawkins Antiques, Barry, South Wales

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. Among our most consistently popular pieces.

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 for everyday use.

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. Among the most elegant antique chests we carry.

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. Increasingly sought after by collectors and interior designers.

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, dressing rooms, and home offices.

Why Choose Hawkins Antiques

Antique Chests of Drawers - Specialists Since 1960

We have been sourcing and selling antique chests of drawers for over 65 years. Here is what sets our stock apart.

Hand-Selected Stock

Every chest of drawers in our collection is personally sourced from private estates, auction houses, and collectors across the UK and Europe. We never buy blind or in bulk - each piece is individually chosen for quality of drawer construction, veneer condition, and handle originality.

Honest Condition Reports

We describe every piece accurately - including handle originality, veneer condition, top surface, and any restoration work. We never describe handles as original unless confirmed. Our photography shows each piece in full. What you see is exactly what arrives.

Free UK Delivery Included

Every antique chest of drawers we sell is delivered free to the UK mainland by our trusted two-man specialist antique delivery team - fully wrapped, fully insured, and placed in the room of your choice. No hidden delivery charges.

65 Years of Specialist Knowledge

Established in Barry, South Wales in 1960, Hawkins Antiques is now in its third generation. Georgian mahogany chests and French commodes have been central to our collection throughout - we know this furniture deeply and describe it honestly.

300+ Sales, 100% Positive Feedback

Our eBay trading history spans over 300 verified sales with 100% positive feedback. Every buyer received exactly what was described and delivered safely. That track record underpins every piece we sell on our website.

Stock Updated Weekly

We source new antique chests of drawers regularly from private estates across the UK and Europe. If you don't see what you're looking for today, contact us and we'll keep you in mind - many of our best pieces sell before they are listed online.

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 never describe handles as original unless confirmed.

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.

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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?
In antique furniture, a commode is a chest of drawers — typically French, with a shaped bombe or serpentine front, ormolu mounts, and a marble top. French commodes from the Louis XV and XVI periods, and their Belle Époque successors, are among the most beautiful and collectible pieces of antique furniture we carry.
How do I tell a genuine Georgian chest from a reproduction?
Look at the drawer construction — genuine Georgian chests have hand-cut dovetail joints with slight irregularities, solid wood drawer bottoms, and secondary timbers in pine or oak that show real age. The brass handles should have a warm, uneven patina. Reproduction pieces typically have machine-cut dovetails, plywood drawer bottoms, and bright or uniform brass fittings.
Are antique chests of drawers practical for everyday use?
Absolutely — antique chests of drawers were built for daily use and are generally far more durable than modern alternatives. Well-made Georgian and Victorian chests will last another century with basic care. The drawers on quality antique pieces run smoothly and provide excellent storage.
What is the price range for antique chests of drawers?
Our antique chests of drawers range from under £750 for smaller Victorian or Edwardian pieces to £4,000 or more for exceptional Georgian serpentine chests or French marble-top commodes with ormolu mounts. Georgian mahogany bow-front chests typically fall in the £800–£2,500 range. All prices include free UK mainland delivery.
What is a Wellington chest?
A Wellington chest is a tall, narrow chest of drawers with a hinged lockbar running down one side that locks all the drawers simultaneously. Named after the Duke of Wellington, they were popular from the Regency period onwards and were originally used for storing documents and valuables. Today they are prized for their elegant proportions and practical lockable storage.
Can I view antique chests of drawers in person?
Yes — our showroom and warehouse is at Unit 15, Palmers Vale Business Centre, Barry, CF63 2XA. Please call ahead on 01446 744271 to arrange a convenient time to visit. We typically hold 80–120 pieces in stock at any time, far more than is shown online.
Do you buy antique chests of drawers?
Yes — we are always looking to buy quality antique chests of drawers, particularly Georgian mahogany bow-fronts, French commodes with marble tops, and Vernis Martin pieces. Contact us at lee@hawkinsantiques.com with photographs and dimensions.

Related Collections

Explore More Antique Furniture

Browse our full range of specialist antique furniture collections - all with free UK delivery.

French Antique Furniture

Explore our French furniture collection - Vernis Martin commodes, kingwood cabinets, ormolu-mounted pieces, and marble-top buffets.

Antique Wardrobes

Browse our antique wardrobes - Victorian mahogany compactums, Edwardian inlaid pieces, and French armoires to complete your bedroom.

Georgian Furniture

Discover our Georgian furniture collection - the golden age of British cabinetmaking, with bow-front chests, sideboards, and dining tables from c.1714–1830.

Browse Our Antique Chests of Drawers

Stock changes regularly - new pieces sourced from private estates across the UK and Europe.

View All Chests of Drawers