Antique Chest of Drawers Buying Checklist

A good antique chest of drawers should be attractive, useful and structurally sound, but age alone does not guarantee quality or value. This checklist helps you inspect a chest methodically, understand alterations and decide which defects are acceptable before you buy.

Start with the whole piece

Stand back and assess the proportions, colour and stance. Does the chest sit level, or does it lean or twist? Are the top, sides and drawer fronts visually coherent? Uneven colour is normal, but a sharply mismatched drawer or newly coloured section may indicate replacement or substantial repair.

Ask the seller for the approximate date, origin, timber, provenance and restoration history. Treat confident claims as starting points to verify, not proof.

Check the carcass

Look along the top and sides in raking light. Check for splits, warping, lifting veneer, water marks, fresh filler and signs of recent refinishing. Open every drawer so you can inspect the internal framework.

A split caused by normal timber movement can be repairable. More serious concerns include a distorted carcass, failing joints, extensive damp damage and timber that has lost structural strength.

Examine the backboards. Old boards may be uneven, hand worked or fixed with period-appropriate nails, but no single construction detail dates a chest conclusively. Replacement backs are not always a reason to reject a piece; they should simply be understood and reflected in the description and price.

Inspect every drawer

Remove drawers one at a time, supporting them with both hands. Never pull several drawers out simultaneously because the chest may tip forward.

Check:

Whether each drawer belongs in its opening
Dovetail shape and consistency
Drawer-bottom construction and grain direction
Wear on runners and guides
Split sides, loose joints and patched corners
Signs of planing, machine surfacing or replacement timber
Whether the drawer opens smoothly without excessive sideways movement

Wear should make sense. Long-used drawers often show gradual wear beneath the sides and on the runners. Very fresh timber, sharp edges or modern fixings can identify later repairs. Well-executed restoration may be entirely acceptable, but it should be disclosed.

Check handles, locks and escutcheons

Look behind handles and around backplates for unused holes, plugged holes, shadows in the finish and differing wear. These clues can show that hardware has been changed.

Original hardware can be desirable, but period replacements may still be attractive and functional. The key is accurate description. Check that handles are secure without overtightening them, and do not force locks or keys.

Examine the feet and base

Feet suffer from damp, impact and past alterations. Compare all four for height, timber, colour, wear and construction. Look underneath for splicing, blocks, screws and recent glue.

Reduced or replaced feet affect proportions and may affect value, but sound professional replacements can be preferable to unstable originals. Check for rocking on a reasonably level floor and inspect the base for fresh bore dust or weakened timber.

Assess the finish

Patina is the cumulative surface character produced by finish, oxidation, light, handling and wear. It should not be confused with dirt or neglect.

Be cautious if the surface is uniformly glossy, smells strongly of finish, has polish trapped in joints, or shows sanding marks across edges and veneer. These may indicate recent refinishing. Original and early finishes can contribute to historical and commercial interest, so ask exactly what work has been done.

The [Canadian Conservation Institute's guidance](https://www.canada.ca/en/conservation-institute/services/care-objects/furniture-wooden-objects-basketry/basic-care-furniture-objects-wood.html) explains why preserving an old finish is generally preferable to routine stripping. For unfamiliar furniture terminology, [Christie's A-Z furniture guide](https://www.christies.com/en/stories/the-a-z-of-furniture-terminology-to-know-when-buyi-1fbb9ee1cdc74283a431827eef126f92) is a useful reference.

Look for pests and damp

Old insect holes are common and may be inactive. Look for fresh pale holes, new light-coloured frass, soft timber and damp odours. Ask about storage and treatment history. Active infestation or serious structural loss warrants specialist assessment.

Measure before committing

Record the overall height, width and depth, plus the space needed to open drawers. Measure doors, stairs and turns on the delivery route. Confirm whether feet, cornices or other elements are detachable and who will move the chest.

Questions for the seller

What is the evidence for the stated date and origin?
Which parts are replacements?
Has the chest been stripped, stained or refinished?
Are the handles and locks original?
Has insect activity been observed or treated?
Are there invoices or condition reports?
Can you inspect the back, underside and drawer interiors?
What are the return terms?

Decide based on use and price

A collector may prioritise originality, while a practical buyer may accept sensitive repairs for a sound, usable chest. Estimate restoration and delivery costs before agreeing a price. Walk away when major defects are concealed, attribution is unsupported, or access for inspection is refused.

For real furniture restorations and the decisions behind them, [watch and subscribe to Antique Repair Shop on YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@AntiqueRepairShop).

Sources and further reading

[Canadian Conservation Institute: Basic care of furniture and objects made of wood](https://www.canada.ca/en/conservation-institute/services/care-objects/furniture-wooden-objects-basketry/basic-care-furniture-objects-wood.html)
[Christie's: An A-Z of antique furniture terminology](https://www.christies.com/en/stories/the-a-z-of-furniture-terminology-to-know-when-buyi-1fbb9ee1cdc74283a431827eef126f92)

The Antique Chest of Drawers Checklist: What to Inspect Before You Buy