Six Drawer Tallboy
A six drawer tallboy offers vertical storage with classic proportions, bringing timeless utility and refined presence to any bedroom.
What They Are
A six drawer tallboy provides ample vertical storage without dominating floor space, making it a practical choice for period and traditional interiors. The pieces gathered here span from the nineteenth century into the twentieth century, encompassing various regional and stylistic interpretations.
Most examples you encounter adhere to traditional cabinet forms, drawing on Victorian, Edwardian, and Art Deco design sensibilities. The tall chest configuration allows for maximum storage capacity while maintaining a compact footprint in the room.
How They Were Made
Construction relies heavily on traditional hardwoods such as mahogany and walnut, frequently enhanced by decorative veneers like satinwood. Artisans utilised bookmatched grain patterns to create symmetrical visual interest across the drawer fronts and primary surfaces.
Hardware details typically incorporate brass or metal fixtures that complement the rich tones of the timber. Joinery methods reflect the period of origin, ensuring structural integrity alongside decorative elegance.
Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical UK retail prices for six drawer tallboy, calculated from the Sellingantiques database of over a million retail prices indexed since 2003. This retail price guide relies exclusively on Sellingantiques data; no external sources or auction records are used, so the figures do not describe the wider market.
What Varies in Quality
The distinction between standard pieces and the finest examples rests on the choice of timber and the precision of the veneer work. Superior items display careful selection of grain, particularly in bookmatched panels, and feature refined proportions that elevate the piece beyond mere utility.
Execution of secondary details, including the patination of the wood and the quality of the brass fittings, determines the overall sophistication of the tallboy. Masterful cabinetmaking reveals itself in the seamless integration of form and decorative restraint.
The Six Drawer Tallboy Glossary
- Tallboy
- A tall chest of drawers, typically comprising six or more drawers arranged vertically to maximise storage capacity while conserving floor space.
- Bookmatched
- A technique where adjacent veneer leaves are mirrored to create a symmetrical pattern across a surface, often seen in walnut furniture.
- Wellington chest
- A narrow chest of drawers featuring a hinged locking stile on one side that secures all drawers simultaneously.
- Satinwood
- A lustrous, durable timber with a golden yellow sheen, frequently utilised in fine cabinetmaking for banding and decorative veneers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a six drawer tallboy?
A six drawer tallboy is a vertical chest of drawers designed to provide substantial storage while occupying a minimal amount of floor space.
These pieces combine functional depth with classical proportions, making them suitable for bedrooms and dressing rooms.
How do I date a tallboy?
Dating relies on observing the timber species, construction techniques, and stylistic markers such as Edwardian inlay or Art Deco geometry.
Examining secondary woods and hardware also helps anchor the piece to a specific nineteenth or twentieth-century period.
Where should I place a tallboy?
A tallboy fits well in bedrooms, hallways, or dressing areas where vertical space is available but floor space is limited.
Ensure the placement allows the top drawers to be reached comfortably and any locking mechanisms to be operated.
What woods are used in these chests?
Common timbers include mahogany, walnut, and satinwood, frequently selected for their rich grain and durability.
Veneers and bookmatched panels are often applied to create decorative surfaces across the drawer fronts.