Antique chests of drawers were meant for a general household when they were invented but in course of time the antique chests of drawers became essentially a piece of bedroom furniture. Antique chest of drawers or bureaus are strictly of utilitarian purposes and remains a primary piece of furniture. Over the centuries this simple chest of drawers became a marriage coffer and a thing of great beauty, an object on which a wealth of inlay, carving, and painting was expended. Very soon the chest of drawers ceased to be an empty box with large space that was filled with goodies and started appearing as a convenient piece of furniture with compartments adding to its importance as storage bureau.

Besides the ambiance it gives as a permanent piece of furniture, an antique chest of drawers offers a huge convenience of storage place for bed-linen, winter ware and clothing in a modern home, and came to be appreciated.

Antique chest of drawers are of two types, those that are raised on twisted supports or legs, and those that rest on large balls or bun-like feet.

The evolution of antique chest of drawers:

In the later part of the 17th century the paneled fronts of antique chest of drawers and their framework started giving a new order of things. Material like Oak and styles of flat stretcher, early marquetry and lacquer started appearing in antique chest of drawers. Metal-work as brass handles and key-plates were found more suitable in antique Walnut chest of drawers.

Antique chest of drawers on stands started getting newer styles and newer types of feet and legs. Once Walnut stopped being the favorite for antique chest of drawers, Mahogany took over in the making of antique chest of drawers. Antique chest of drawers were veneered, inlaid, and ornamented, according to the styles prevailed.

Antique chests of drawers on stands continued to be made well into the early years of the eighteenth century with twisted legs that were cupped and turned. These antique chests of drawers came with two long drawers and two half-length drawers of varying depths. sometimes a shallow drawer was added in the plinth of antique chests of drawers.

Antique chests of drawers on ball or bun feet started showing damage, and started getting replacements of bracket feet.

The marquetry antique chests of drawers are a distinctive class of antique chests of drawers with a style of their ornamentation that changed very little over the years. Initially the marquetry antique chests of drawers bore natural flowers and leaves. Then the marquetry antique chests of drawers got Acanthus leaves. Later the marquetry antique chests of drawers were made with conventional patterns and scrolls of foliage that bore little affinity to the realistic forms of the earlier marquetry antique chests of drawers.

The lacquered antique chests of drawers of the Orient, Dutch and English origin were beautifully ornamented with metal plates and handles as devised by the English makers of lacquered antique chests of drawers. Wrought-iron hinges and lock-plates had been discarded in favor of carving. In Oriental antique chests of drawers metal work and brass plates were used. From antique chests of drawers evolved the antique chests of drawers with plain fronts and serpentine shapes independently. During the eighteenth century metal handles and handle-plates were used on the antique chests of drawers.

Antique coffers, antique chests and antique trunks are also called antique kists. Coffers are one of the oldest forms of furniture. An antique coffer is typically a huge rectangular box with a lid primarily meant for storage. The interior of an antique coffer may contain compartments. The early uses of an antique chest or antique coffer included storage of fine cloth, weapons, food and valuable items.

• A cassone is an antique coffer/antique chests/antique trunk carved or painted. Antique coffers, antique chests and antique trunks are associated with late Medieval and Renaissance Italy. An antique cassone was often used to carry a bride’s dowry
• In Medieval and early Renaissance Europe low antique coffers, antique chests and antique trunks were often used as seats and taller chests, as side tables
• The antique coffers, antique chests and antique trunks were often subjected to use as proper writing surfaces while the interior of the antique chests served as the storage space for the writing implements and documents
• The Bargueno desk of Spain is a classic example of an antique coffer/antique chest /antique trunk used for writing

• Many antique coffers, antique chests and antique trunks were often portable desks or stacked chests. Their topmost chest will have a lid which can be put to use as a writing surface when opened
• Antique coffers, antique chests and antique trunks often held gold or jewels in a household
• Antique toy chests housed children’s toys
• An antique trunk is a traveling antique chest. It was most commonly used for extended periods away from home at boarding school, or for travels abroad
• Most antique coffers, antique chests and antique trunks are now used as glass-covered coffee-tables or decorative storage for winter ware, house hold linen, memorabilia and military paraphernalia
• Antique trunks are differentiated from antique chests by their rugged construction intended for use as baggage while the antique chests were for storage of domestic goods at home

Other uses of antique coffers, antique chests and antique trunks:

Antique Merchant chests: Merchants used their antique coffers, antique chests and antique trunks to display their metal hardware to impress customers or for storing supplies.

Large antique coffers, antique chests and antique trunks are used for storing futons and kitchen equipment.

Sometimes these antique coffers, antique chests and antique trunks open only on a single side, but others, from both sides.

Antique apothecary chest: Antique coffers, antique chests and antique trunks were used to store herbs by the pharmacist. They often have many small drawers and compartments.

The antique chest is one of those pieces of furniture without whom life can be pretty inconvenient. Since these antique chests have come into my home, life afforded me so much space and easy management of my time. The antique chests and the antique chests of drawers as we know them today were as recent as the 17th century.

The antique chest has evolved from antique coffers. Antique coffers were basically crude deep boxes raised off the ground on legs or feet with a lift-up lid. Antique Coffers acted as trunks for storing treasure, secure places for weapons, food larders, and places to keep clothing clean and dry.

The antique chests are now serving as all purpose furniture in kitchens, bedrooms, and children’s room and even in garage. Antique chest started featuring in libraries and personal study rooms. Sought by collectors who value true beauty, these antique chests became more popular. Newer uses for these antique chests were invented as time passed one of which is as a decorative accessory announcing to the world the superior social standing of the owner.

In many homes, this crafted Antique chest served the basic function of a storage unit. Among the more affluent, the antique chests were a veritable treasure trove of ballroom gowns, corsets and stockings, and other costumes needed for special occasions. In humble homes antique chests were adapted to provide bedding areas for children and as a makeshift hutch or cabinet for family dinners.

The antique chests underwent many changes in the manner of their decoration. Initially an antique chest was a simple marriage coffer. Later the sarcophagus form of the antique chests became more popular. In Italy decorative ornament in gesso spread over the surface of the carved wood of the antique chests was the basis of gilding. The Spain antique chests were ornamented similarly but had leather covering.

Initially the antique chests were serving the purpose of a marriage coffer and it was essentially a portable piece of furniture. The antique chests were claimed to be the most respected of any antique furniture. The antique chest has served as a seat, a couch, a bed, as a traveling trunk, and as a safe receptacle for valuable household goods and personal effects. As a curio the antique chest ranks second to none. The antique chest is a useful receptacle for bedding and luxurious textiles and upholsteries. The antique chest is a safe place to keep the textiles in. These antique chests are trusted containers for precious items and were easily loaded onto ships and horse carriages with their mistresses on long journeys.

The material of the antique chest

These antique chests were crafted in fine hard wood planking for durability. Ornate carvings with raised ridges and exquisite designs were added to the antique chests indicating how much these antique chests were cherished by their owners. These antique chests further were stained and glazed with shiny surfaces and bright colors befitting the status of the owners.

Though the evolution of these antique chests can be traced back to the original simple marriage coffer but soon became extravagantly decorative. These antique chests no longer remained empty boxes with large capacity but evolved into antique chests of drawers with convenient division spaces.

The convenience of the drawers turned the antique chest a handy storing place for bed-linen and clothing. The antique chest of drawers can be raised on stands on twisted supports or legs or on ball like supports.