Subscribe RSS FeedWe thought it’d be useful to go over the history of the chest of drawers, before you gather your questions and go looking for the unit that suits you. A descendant of the original box with a hinged lid known as a coffer or coffers, dressers can be dated back as early as the 16th century. According to an article written by Thomas Hamilton Ormsbe, “the first chest of drawers were made between 1675 and 1700” (The Collectors Weekly, 2010). Taking a look into why, when, how, and even where the beginnings of this unique household item began its journey into what it is known as today.
Before the time of closets or appropriate shelving, a need had to be fulfilled for the storage of certain household items. These items needed storage for privacy, safekeeping, and even organization. As early as the middle ages this need can be seen as a wooden box with a lid, also known as a coffer. Not to be confused with a coffin although it shares similarities. Those of higher ranking in society were most likely to own a coffer. In this time coffers served multiple purposes including moonlighting as seating or for storing items for traveling, and even a crib. With time and change throughout history just like most things, the coffer began getting facelifts and updates.
During the Renaissance, this type of furniture became a very popular wedding gift from the parents of the bride to be placed in the home of the newlyweds. These coffers became known as cassone’s. Cassone’s were decorated to commemorate the marriage with rich colors and designs. Still a far cry from being what we know it as today. Eventually around the late 17th century one single drawer was added to coffers on the bottom. This allowed for more storage space in one piece of furniture. This type of chest was known as a mule chest.
Eventually more drawers were added and the hinged top was became a regular stationary top. This concept looks more like what we know as a dresser. Highboys were usually waste high and lowboys were similar to side tables. Many concepts and changes have been made to these pieces giving a more variety to chose from, bureaus were also concocted from the basic coffer.It’s always interesting to come across different types of antique chest furniture when looking around for a dresser or chest. Still with all the facelifts and updates some modern coffers, cassone’s, and highboys and lowboys can be purchased today as well as the chest of drawers.
Tags: bureau, chest of drawers, chests of drawers, drawers, dressers, lowboys, tall chest of drawers
