Bow Front Bedside Table
A bow front bedside table brings curved mahogany or burr walnut elegance beside the bed.
Bow Front Bedside Table
A bow front bedside table is a compact piece designed for the bedroom, featuring a convex curved front that softens the corners of the room. These pieces appear most frequently in Georgian mahogany and Edwardian or Victorian burr walnut, alongside later walnut revivals.
The form spans enclosed cupboards, drawer chests, and open nightstands, often originating from the Georgian period through to the early twentieth century. Buyers encounter single pieces as well as matched pairs suitable for placing on either side of a bed.
Makers utilised the curved profile to house storage behind lockable doors or drawers whilst maintaining a slender footprint. The selection includes pot cupboards and commodes alongside standard lamp tables.
How they were made
Cabinet makers constructed these pieces using solid timbers and fine veneers, laying mahogany or burr walnut over secondary woods. Boxwood and satinwood stringing often outlines the curved drawer fronts and top edges.
The curved frame requires careful shaping of the front rails and door frames to achieve the signature bow. Brass handles and drop pulls complete the hardware, fitted to drawers constructed with traditional joinery.
Bow Front Bedside Table Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for bow front bedside table among the pieces listed under this phrase on Sellingantiques today, from the lower quarter to the upper quarter. They describe what is for sale here now, not the wider market.
Listings feature items from the Georgian, Victorian, and Edwardian periods, constructed in mahogany, burr walnut, and satinwood.
What varies in quality
Quality rests in the choice of timber figure, such as highly matched flame mahogany or rich burr walnut, and the crispness of any inlaid boxwood stringing. Superior examples display balanced proportions and tight joints in the curved framework.
The finish of the timber and the retention of original brass hardware distinguish finer commissions from simpler utility pieces. Attention to detail in the interior construction and drawer linings marks the work of skilled workshops.
The Bow Front Bedside Table Glossary
- Bow front
- A convex curved cabinet front that projects outward in the centre. This shape softens the profile of a small bedside piece.
- Pot cupboard
- A small enclosed bedside cabinet originally designed to house a chamber pot. They frequently feature a cupboard door above a lower section or drawer.
- Commode
- A piece of bedroom furniture incorporating enclosed storage, sometimes disguised as drawers. Georgian versions often include pull-out sections.
- Veneer
- A thin layer of figured wood, such as burr walnut or flame mahogany, applied over a stable base timber. This technique displays decorative grain patterns.
- Stringing
- Narrow inlaid lines of contrasting wood, such as boxwood or satinwood, used to edge drawer fronts and tabletops.
Bow Front Bedside Table: Frequently Asked Questions
What is a bow front bedside table?
A compact bedroom cabinet with a curved, convex front profile designed to hold lamps or bedside items while offering enclosed storage.
They appear in various woods like mahogany and walnut across several historic periods.
Were they always made as pairs?
Many survive as matched pairs, particularly from the Edwardian and Victorian eras when bedroom suites gained popularity.
Single pieces also appear frequently from the Georgian period and later decades.
How do I date a bedside table?
Dating relies on timber selection, construction methods, and stylistic details such as inlaid boxwood stringing or brass hardware.
Georgian pieces show different timber preparation compared to Edwardian revivals or later walnut examples.
What woods were used?
Mahogany and burr walnut dominate the selection, often accented with boxwood, satinwood, and oak.
Veneers create decorative grain patterns across the curved drawer fronts and top surfaces.
How do I maintain the finish?
Regular dusting with a dry cloth and occasional application of appropriate wax preserves the polished wood surface.
Keeping the timber away from direct heat sources prevents the veneer from lifting.