Antique Furniture 101: Armoires to Davenports

Here’s a quick reference guide to some popular items you might have come across but were unsure of what they actually were.

Armoire

This French term describes a large cupboard or wardrobe. Two large cupboard doors would likely open up to reveal shelves or a rod on which to hang clothes. It may or may not have drawers inside the cupboards or below the cupboard doors. Today as in the past, it was used for storage of clothes and general household items.

Bachelor Chest

It is a small chest-of-drawers that may have a hinged top that served a number of purposes. Often it would store a ceramic bowl and men’s shaving supplies.

Bergère

This French term describes a chair that has an upholstered back, sides, arms and seat. The seat often has a separate cushion and/or caning. Bergerés would have been used in the salon. Today they are found throughout the home.

Bombé

It is a chest-of-drawers that is characterized by a curving front. During the Louis periods, bombés were ornate with gilded bronze or expensive inlays.

Buffet

The buffet is a two-part sideboard used in the dining room for storage and serving. It would display fine silver, pewter or china and was often found in secondary country homes.

Bureau

It is a term for a writing desk with an enclosed top section and drawers below.

Canterbury

A Canterbury is small stand or rack using for holding sheet music. It is not often found these days.

Cam

aign furniture

It is an early form of first modular furniture and was designed for use by the high command in the military. It could be disassembled quickly during battle. It often featured heavy brass inlay to ensure sturdiness.

Case furniture

Case furniture is a general term that refers to items such as cupboards, coffers, chests and bureaux, furniture; anything that can be used for storage.

Cassone

A cassone is chest from the Italian Renaissance period that is often decorated with intricate carving and inlay. In general, cassones from the 18thc featured ivory, whereas those crafted in the 19thc featured bone. Often it would have been displayed in a foyer .

Chaise Longue

It is an upholstered chair that is elongated to support the legs. It is often found in bedrooms.

Chiffonnier

It is a French term that describes a side cabinet and it often was used to store bed and table linens.

Coffer

A traveling chest with handles and a domed lid but without feet, usually made of oak. Coffers were often used to transport valuables to country homes.

Commode

A French term for a chest-of-drawers or it can refer to a type of furniture concealing a chamber pot. A commode can be re-purposed into a liquor cabinet for current use.

Console

Also called a pier table, it is designed to stand against a wall and is often placed between two windows.

Davenport

Common during the Regency and Victorian periods, a davenport is a small desk with a sloping top that has real and/or fake drawers, usually on the side. The fake drawers were added on one side to add symmetry to the real drawers on the other side. The sloping top often featured a leather-embossed finish. People often stood when using them. Taller versions were designed for men. The shorter versions were for women. If the user wanted to sit, a high bench was used. Older versions have pull out extensions designed to hold candles for users to work after dark.

Martin Swinton owns Take-A-Boo Emporium, an antique shop located in Toronto, Canada. He does furniture restoration, caning and rushing repairs, custom reproductions, upholstery, teaches courses on antiques and does appraisals for estates and community events. He can be reached at 416-785-4555 or by visiting http://www.takeaboo.com