Chippendale Style Tall Chest (Tallboy or High Chest)
Storage: Bedroom Dresser/Chest of Drawers · Chippendale Revival, Colonial Restoration (approx. 1920s-1950s) · Unidentified manufacturer; typical of American furniture companies like Drexel, Ethan Allen, or Kling in their early colonial lines.
Type
Storage: Bedroom Dresser/Chest of Drawers
Style Period
Chippendale Revival, Colonial Restoration (approx. 1920s-1950s)
Material
Likely solid Cherry or Walnut with secondary woods like Pine or Poplar for drawer boxes; brass-plated metal hardware.
Age Estimate
Circa 1940-1960 based on finish degradation, hardware style, and typical mid-century colonial revival trends.
Dimensions
Height: 52-56 inches; Width: 36-38 inches; Depth: 18-20 inches. This fits the standard vertical profile for a 'tallboy'.
Origin
United States; regional manufacturing likely centered in North Carolina or Michigan furniture hubs.
Designer/Maker
Unidentified manufacturer; typical of American furniture companies like Drexel, Ethan Allen, or Kling in their early colonial lines.
Value Estimate
$150 - $400 (Secondary Market/Resale). Value is limited by finish wear and high availability of similar mass-produced revival pieces.
Description
This is a classic tall chest of drawers featuring a 'four over two' configuration—four long full-width drawers topped by two smaller side-by-side drawers. It sits on traditional bracket feet and features a simple, clean silhouette inspired by the 18th-century designs of Thomas Chippendale. Its vertical orientation maximizes storage while minimizing the floor footprint, making it a staple of mid-century American bedroom suites.
Key Features
Bracket feet, batwing brass pulls, 4-over-2 drawer arrangement, molded top, ogee base molding.
Color & Finish
Deep dark mahogany or cherry stain with a semi-gloss lacquer finish. Showing significant wear and edge chipping.
Construction Method
Factory-manufactured machine-made construction with traditional styling; likely features a solid wood frame with flat-set side panels.
Joinery & Craftsmanship
Likely machine-cut dovetail joints on drawers; mortise and tenon or dowel construction for the primary frame. Standard industrial quality for the mid-20th century.
Wood Grain & Species
Close-grained hardwood consistent with Cherry or Maple under a dark mahogany stain; grain is vertical on drawer fronts appearing relatively uniform.
Surface Treatment
Opaque dark stain with a lacquer topcoat; molded top edge and a decorative bracket-foot base with an ogee-style profile.
Upholstery Details
None (Not applicable for this storage piece).
Hardware & Fittings
Traditional brass 'batwing' or willow-style bail pull handles with escutcheons. The hardware shows a heavy dark patina or tarnishing.
Origin & Provenance
United States; regional manufacturing likely centered in North Carolina or Michigan furniture hubs.
Condition Notes
Fair condition. Visible finish loss on the top edge and drawer corners. Significant scratching and surface wear throughout. Structural integrity appears sound but drawer slides may require waxing. Grade: Fair.
Interesting Facts
The 'batwing' hardware is a hallmark of the Chippendale style, originally hand-chased in the 1700s, but mass-produced by the millions during the American Colonial Revival of the 20th century.
Cultural Significance
Represents the American middle-class preference for traditional European-inspired stability and 'heritage' looks during the post-WWII housing boom.
Similar Pieces
Often confused with a 'Chest on Chest' (which is two separate stacked units) or a 'Hepplewhite' chest (which would have oval hardware and splayed French feet).
Care & Maintenance
Dust with a microfiber cloth; apply a high-quality beeswax or paste wax to restore luster to the worn finish. Avoid commercial aerosol sprays containing silicone.
Value Estimate
$150 - $400 (Secondary Market/Resale). Value is limited by finish wear and high availability of similar mass-produced revival pieces.
Sustainability Notes
Highly sustainable due to its longevity and solid wood construction; a prime candidate for refinishing or professional restoration rather than replacement with flat-pack furniture.