Question 1

What is a dower chest?

Accepted Answer

A dower chest — also called a dowry chest or hope chest — is a Pennsylvania Dutch chest, a piece of furniture traditionally used by young women to store items in anticipation of married life. Find a collection of antique and vintage dowry chests on 1stDibs.

Question 2

What is a demilune chest?

Accepted Answer

A demilune chest is a type of case good furniture that features a straight back and a curved front. Most feature rows of drawers, cabinet doors or a mix of the two types of storage. Demilune comes from the French word for half moon and refers to the shape of the chests. Shop a range of demilune chests on 1stDibs.

Question 3

What is a bachelor’s chest?

Accepted Answer

A bachelor’s chest is a low chest of drawers. Its name comes from the fact that it was originally designed to provide multipurpose storage for a single man with a small living space.

Question 4

What is a military chest?

Accepted Answer

A military chest is a chest of drawers made of hardwood like mahogany, teak or cedar. Also called a campaign chest, the furniture usually comes apart into smaller pieces for easy carrying. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of military chests.

Question 5

What is a sea chest?

Accepted Answer

A sea chest, typically seen onboard ships, is a storage chest for a sailor’s personal property. The first known sea chest was used in 1613. On 1stDibs, you can find a collection of authentic sea chests from some of the world’s top sellers.

Question 6

What is a sugar chest?

Accepted Answer

A sugar chest is a chest, typically made of wood and featuring legs, that was designed to hold sugar in the late 1700s to early 1800s, when sugar was very valuable. Sugar chests would feature a lock to keep this sweet sign of wealth secure, and featured sections inside to separate light and dark sugars. Shop a range of antique sugar chests on 1stDibs.

Question 7

What is a Tansu chest?

Accepted Answer

Tansu refers to Japanese portable storage chests. When tansu became a well-known feature of life in Japan — the chests’ emergence is said to be rooted in the Genroku era of the Edo period (1688–1704) — the country’s traditionally minimalist households had little to no proper seats, tables, or other pieces of furniture. Tansu were intended to be multipurpose cabinets. These case pieces were used to store things of everyday utility, such as clothing and various personal items. Tansu are regarded as collectible furniture with a timeless appeal. Shop a collection of antique, vintage, and contemporary Tansu from some of the world’s top dealers on 1stDibs.

Question 8

What is a gentleman's chest?

Accepted Answer

A gentleman's chest is a piece of wooden storage furniture with at least one section large enough to accommodate hanging men's clothing like ties, suits and dress pants. Normally, drawers appear beside and below the hanging cabinet. Find a range of gentleman's chests on 1stDibs.

Question 9

What is a bonnet chest?

Accepted Answer

A bonnet chest is a chest of drawers that has a space for hats. Typically, this larger drawer or area is in the center space and toward the top. Bonnet chests get their name for their function not their shape, as there is no one standard shape for a bonnet chest. Shop a collection of vintage and antique furniture from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

Question 10

What is a bombe chest?

Accepted Answer

A bombe chest is a set of drawers that bulges outward in the front and on the sides. The style, whose name comes from French word bombé, meaning “curved,” originated in 17th-century France.

Question 11

What is a door chest?

Accepted Answer

A door chest is a small cabinet with shelves and is used for storage. They are usually found in bedrooms and living rooms to provide a little extra storage. Shop for a range of antique and vintage door chests on 1stDibs.

Question 12

What is a Bombay chest?

Accepted Answer

A Bombay chest is a piece of wooden furniture — a chest that bulges outward in the front and on the sides and then curves in at the base. This style of chest was popularized in 17th century French design.

Question 13

What is a campaign chest?

Accepted Answer

A campaign chest is a chest of drawers that breaks down into smaller pieces for easier transport. Some people refer to this type of case furniture as a military chest. Although mobile furniture for military campaigns dates back to the Romans, the British Army in its global conquests in the 18th and 19th centuries defined the style we know as campaign furniture with sturdy and elegant pieces. Find a selection of campaign chests on 1stDibs.

Question 14

What is a mule chest?

Accepted Answer

A mule chest is a low chest that has a drawer or a set of drawers at its base and a hinged top. It stands on legs or brackets and it is usually wider than it is deep. Shop a collection of antique, vintage and contemporary mule chests from some of the world’s top dealers on 1stDibs.

Question 15

What is a marriage chest?

Accepted Answer

A marriage chest is an ornate chest that is given as a gift or dowry to the bride by her parents. It was popular during the Renaissance period in Italy. It was especially used to hold a bride's dowry goods or other possessions. Find marriage chests and other vintage and antique case pieces on 1stDibs.

Question 16

What is the point of a hope chest?

Accepted Answer

Traditionally, the point of a hope chest was to help a woman prepare for married life. Women would place textiles and household items inside, so that she had a collection of belongings to take to her husband's home when she got married. Today, people still use hope chests to store blankets, pillows and other items. On 1stDibs, find a collection of antique and vintage hope chests.

Question 17

What is the origin of the mule chest?

Accepted Answer

The origin of the mule chest is a mystery, though several theories exist. Some of the most common are that the lower drawers of the chest were where shoes, including mules might be stored. Another thought is that it was a chest that a peddler might have used to carry along goods on his mule. Shop a collection of antique mule chests on 1stDibs.

Question 18

How do you date a cedar chest?

Accepted Answer

To date a cedar chest, search the piece for a manufacturer’s mark. Then, use trusted online resources to determine who the maker is based on those markings. From there, you can use photographs, serial numbers and other identifying characteristics to get a rough idea of when the maker produced it. Alternatively, you can have a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antiques dealer evaluate your cedar chest. On 1stDibs, explore a variety of cedar chests.

Question 19

How can you tell if a chest is antique?

Accepted Answer

To tell if a chest is antique, first examine its materials and details carefully. An antique chest is one produced 100 years ago or more. This generally predates the use of engineered wood, particleboard, plastics and other synthetic materials. As a result, an antique chest usually features solid wood construction.In addition, antique chests are likely to be handmade, so you should be able to spot subtle signs that indicate this, such as tool marks and small irregularities in any carvings. If a piece looks flawless and regular, it is unlikely to be antique. Locating a maker's mark and then researching when the manufacturer was active can also help you date your chest. Alternatively, you can use the services of a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer to learn more about your chest.On 1stDibs, shop a large selection of antique chests.

Question 20

Why is it called a Bombay chest?

Accepted Answer

The chest of drawers with a curvy frame is called a Bombay chest due to a misunderstanding about its name. Its proper name is "bombe" which is correctly pronounced similarly to the word "bomb." However, some people say "bom-BAY." This has led to confusion over how the name of the chest is actually spelled. Find a selection of bombe chests on 1stDibs.

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