What is the difference between a tallboy and a chest-on-chest?

They're the same object under two names: a smaller upper case standing on a larger lower one. Sixty-eight titles use "boy", thirty-two say tallboy. Both terms turn up throughout the listings, and about one tall chest in six on Sellingantiques is one of these two-part forms.

How many drawers does a tall chest usually have?

Drawer counts named in titles cluster on five, six and seven. The French semainier is traditionally seven, one for each day of the week. A "bank of drawers" means something different: a run of drawers of similar depth rather than graduated. Fourteen titles use the phrase, and the sample includes a watchmaker's bank of nine.

Which timbers turn up most often?

Mahogany leads, named in 262 titles, with walnut second at 123. Oak accounts for 65 and pine 21, forming a plainer country strand. At the upper end you'll also see satinwood, kingwood, rosewood and oyster veneer, along with burr walnut and flame or figured mahogany.

Are these chests all English?

Mostly, though French is a steady presence at 63 titles, largely semainiers and commode-form chests, some with marble tops. Everything else is sparse. Single Swedish, Danish, Dutch, Dutch Colonial, Flemish, Spanish, Anglo-Indian and Korean pieces have appeared, including a Korean bandaji elm chest and a North African narrow tall chest.

What does a Wellington chest do that others don't?

It has a hinged pilaster down one side that swings across and locks every drawer at the same time. That's the whole point of the form. Forty-nine titles name one, and secretaire and filing versions exist. They're a small share of what has sold, but far commoner among chests currently listed.

Do tall chests come in pairs?

Rarely. The sample turns up only a handful: a pair of Wellington chests, a pair of narrow Victorian mahogany chests, a pair of French cartonnier tall chests. Singles are the norm across the whole category.