Vintage 1920s Drawers
Vintage 1920s drawers bring solid oak, figured walnut and period craftsmanship into modern rooms.
Vintage 1920s Drawers
Vintage 1920s drawers encompass a wide variety of storage furniture produced around the 1920 and 1930 periods. Buyers searching this phrase meet everything from compact bedside tables and lowboys to tall five-height chests of drawers, tallboys and writing bureaus.
The selection includes diverse forms such as dressing tables, side cabinets, filing cabinets, and sideboards. Oak and burr walnut dominate the forms, alongside mahogany, rosewood, and brass-inlaid pieces.
Stylistically, pieces range from Art Deco and Arts and Crafts to Jacobean Revival, Queen Anne Revival, and industrial workshop designs. Oak versions often show revival carving, while walnut examples lean towards clean Art Deco lines.
How they were made
Cabinet makers utilised solid timber frameworks combined with decorativeveneers like burr walnut to create striking surface patterns. Drawer construction relied on traditional joinery methods suited to the demands of daily domestic or office use.
Metal hardware such as brass handles and pulls added functional detail, while glass panels appeared on bookcases and display cabinets. Finishes ranged from polished wood grains to painted japanned surfaces in pale cream.
Vintage 1920s Drawers Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for vintage 1920s drawers 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 combine 1920 and 1930 periods, spanning Art Deco, Jacobean Revival, and industrial styles.
What varies in quality
Quality rests in the selection of timbers, particularly the richness of burr walnut grain and the weight of solid oak structures. Superior cabinet work shows in the crispness of carved details and the precise fitting of drawers.
Maker attribution elevates certain pieces, with labelled works from firms like Heal's or Waring & Gillows representing high standards of period production. The integrity of original surfaces and hardware dictates the standing of each piece.
Heals·Heal's·Waring S Gillows·Beresford & Hicks
The Vintage 1920s Drawers Glossary
- Tallboy
- A tall chest of drawers, often comprising a smaller chest stacked upon a larger base. This form provides substantial vertical storage while occupying a compact floor footprint.
- Lowboy
- A small table with drawers, typically standing on relatively tall legs. It functions as a dressing table or side table in bedrooms and halls.
- Burr walnut
- Timber taken from walnut tree growths, producing swirling, intricate grain patterns. Cabinet makers prized it for veneering prominent drawer fronts and top surfaces.
- Drop-leaf
- A table or cabinet top with hinged flaps that fold down to save space. These leaves extend on brackets or swing legs when extra surface area is required.
Vintage 1920s Drawers: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I identify a 1920s chest?
Look for construction traits typical of the period, such as specific revival styles like Jacobean or clean Art Deco veneering.
Examine labels and stamps inside drawers, as makers like Heal's frequently marked their production.
Where do these drawers fit best?
Compact bedside tables and lowboys suit bedrooms as night storage or dressing surfaces.
Tallboys and five-height chests provide deep vertical capacity for clothing in smaller rooms.
Are industrial metal cabinets available?
Workshop banks of drawers and French industrial filing cabinets appear alongside domestic wooden furniture.
These utilitarian pieces utilise metal construction suited to offices and studios.
What woods were commonly used?
Oak appears frequently in revival furniture, often featuring carved panels and light finishes.
Walnut and burr walnut dominate Art Deco and higher-end chests, providing rich decorative grain.