Tall Walnut Storage Chest
A tall walnut storage chest brings vertical presence and rich grain to a room, offering ample drawers within a slender footprint.
Tall Walnut Storage Chest
A tall walnut storage chest encompasses stately tallboys, chest on chest forms, and Wellington chests designed to maximise storage without claiming excessive floor space. These vertical carcases rise through the Georgian, Victorian, and later periods, employing rich timber to command attention in a room.
The versions most commonly met on this page include 19th-century interpretations and 1930s revivals, often featuring burr walnut veneers and graduated tiers of drawers. Forms range from George II walnut tallboys to streamlined Art Deco tall storage units.
What varies in quality
The distinction between tiers rests primarily in the choice and application of veneer, where richly figured burr walnut displays superior depth compared to plainer timber surfaces. Selection of walnut involves matching grain across multiple drawers to create a cohesive facade.
Proportion and execution of secondary details, such as crisp mouldings, original brass hardware, and the integrity of internal oak or pine linings, separate standard utility pieces from exceptional examples.
Listings feature walnut, burr walnut veneers, brass hardware, and oak linings across Georgian, Victorian, and 1930s periods.
Gillows of Lancaster
The Tall Walnut Storage Chest Glossary
- Tallboy
- A tall chest of drawers made in two sections, typically a chest on chest or a chest on a stand, providing elevated storage. This form became popular in the eighteenth century.
- Wellington chest
- A tall, narrow chest of drawers featuring a hinged locking stile on one side that secures all drawers when locked. It usually dates from the nineteenth century.
- Burr walnut
- A veneer derived from the knotted growth of a walnut tree, prized for its swirling, highly figured grain patterns. It is frequently utilised on primary display surfaces.
- Chest on chest
- A two-part storage furniture piece comprising a wider lower section surmounted by a slightly narrower upper chest. This configuration increases vertical capacity.
- Ormolu
- Gilt-bronze mounts applied as decorative ornaments to furniture carcases. They add contrasting metallic detail to the timber surface.
Tall Walnut Storage Chest: Frequently Asked Questions
What is a tall walnut storage chest?
A tall walnut storage chest is a vertical furniture piece designed for linen or clothing, utilising walnut timber and multiple stacked drawers. These pieces range from Georgian tallboys to Art Deco tall storage units.
They provide substantial storage capacity while maintaining a narrow floor footprint, making them practical for rooms with limited wall space.
How do I identify a Georgian tallboy?
Georgian tallboys typically feature two stacked sections, resting on bracket feet or short legs, with graduated drawers and traditional brass pull handles. The timber is often figured walnut with crossbanded borders.
Later revivals mimic these proportions, so examining the internal secondary woods like oak or pine helps determine the period of manufacture.
What is a Wellington chest?
A Wellington chest is a tall, slender set of drawers characterised by a locking side flap that secures every drawer with a single key. This design originated in the nineteenth century for secure document or linen storage.
The locking mechanism is a defining characteristic, often accompanied by a plain top surface and simple plinth base.
Where should I place a tall chest?
These tall storage pieces suit bedrooms, dressing rooms, or hallways where vertical wall space is available but floor area is restricted. Their height draws the eye upward, balancing room proportions.
Keep them away from direct heat sources and strong sunlight to protect the walnut veneer and prevent timber splitting.