French Style Chest of Drawers: Bombé Fronts, Marble Tops and Gilded Mounts
A French style chest of drawers is one of the most versatile pieces in period style furniture. It stores clothes in the bedroom, linen in the hallway and tableware in the dining room, and it gives any wall a focal point. Its hallmarks are a gently swelling front, curved legs, a marble or wooden top and decorative handles in gilt metal.
Barockgroßhandel supplies these commodes to hotels, interior designers, retailers and private clients. All pieces are newly crafted in period style, not antiques. To see how they fit into our wider range of baroque furniture, browse the collection by room.
Bombé, serpentine and straight fronts
The front of the chest defines its character. A bombé front swells outwards in both directions, giving the piece a rounded, sculptural profile typical of the Louis XV period. A serpentine front curves in and out across its width, catching light on each bend. Both shapes demand skilled joinery, since every drawer front is shaped to follow the line.
Straight fronts belong to the Louis XVI and Empire manner. They are calmer and more architectural, often with fluted corners, square tapering legs and applied mounts in gilt metal. A straight chest suits narrow hallways and modern rooms, while a bombé chest is the stronger statement piece in a bedroom or salon.
Marble tops and gilded mounts
A marble top is a classic French feature. It protects the surface from perfume bottles, vases and lamps, and it adds a cool contrast to carved and painted wood. Cream, beige and grey marble are the most common tones. Several of our chests combine a brown or dark brown body with a cream or grey marble top.
Gilded mounts, escutcheons and handles finish the piece. They frame the keyholes, protect the corners and repeat the ornament of the carving. On a white and gold chest the metal adds sparkle, while on mahogany it gives a warmer, more traditional look.
White and gold, black and gold and other finishes
A white and gold chest of drawers is the most popular choice. The pale paint keeps the piece light, while gold leaf or gold paint picks out the carving. Cream and gold is softer, grey and gold more contemporary, and a white and gold dresser and nightstand set gives a matching bedroom in one step.
A black and gold chest of drawers makes a dramatic accent in a pale room or a hotel lobby. High gloss black lacquer sharpens the contrast further. Our range also includes chests in brown and gold, brown and champagne gold, and grey and white with hand painted details, so you can match an existing scheme closely.
Sizes: 2, 3, 4 drawers and more
Compact chests with two or three drawers are around 110 to 125 cm wide and suit hallways, guest rooms and the space beside a bed. Standard bedroom chests with three or four drawers measure roughly 120 to 160 cm. A tall dresser with more drawers stores more on a smaller footprint.
For large rooms and hotel suites we offer wide chests of around 185 cm with nine drawers, as well as low media units in the same style for televisions. Always check depth as well as width: 45 to 55 cm is typical. In the US a chest of drawers is often called a dresser, while in the UK a dresser is usually a kitchen cabinet, so compare dimensions rather than names.
Using the chest in the bedroom, hallway and living room
In the bedroom, the chest often stands opposite one of our French style beds, with a mirror above it. Smaller chests can double as French style bedside tables where extra storage is needed. A French style wardrobe takes the hanging clothes, while the chest holds folded ones.
In the hallway, a chest with a marble top is the natural place for keys, post and a lamp. In the living or dining room it works as a smaller alternative to our baroque sideboards. For a complete room scheme with colour ideas, see our guide to French style bedroom furniture.
Chest of drawers or dressing table
Buyers sometimes search for a French dresser table when they want a surface for make up. A chest of drawers is designed for storage first, with a high top and deep drawers. A French style dressing table is lower, has knee space and usually comes with a mirror and stool.
Some of our dressing chests combine both: a wide chest of drawers with a tall mirror above, suitable for standing use. Hang a gilded frame or a Venetian mirror over a plain chest to create the same effect. For richly carved pieces of every kind, our page on ornate furniture gives further ideas.
Quality, prices and care
Our chests are built from solid wood, carved by hand and finished with paint, lacquer or gold leaf. Prices range from roughly €1,000 for a compact chest to around €9,200 for wide pieces with marble tops. For the heavier baroque commode, see our feature on baroque commodes.
Dust with a soft, dry cloth or brush and never use water on gilded areas. Lift, rather than slide, objects on marble to avoid scratches, and wipe spills quickly. Browse the full selection in our category of luxury baroque and French style chests.
Our selection: French Chest of Drawers
View all items: Baroque Commodes
Frequently asked questions
What is a French style chest of drawers?
It is a chest in the manner of the Louis XV or Louis XVI period, often with a bombé or serpentine front, curved legs, gilded mounts and a marble top. Ours are new reproductions in period style, not antiques.
What does bombé mean?
Bombé describes a front and sides that swell outwards in a rounded curve. It is typical of Louis XV furniture and gives the chest a sculptural, rounded profile.
Is a dresser the same as a chest of drawers?
In American English, yes: a dresser is a bedroom chest of drawers. In British English a dresser is usually a kitchen cabinet with open shelves. Compare dimensions and drawer count rather than the name.
Which sizes are available?
Our chests range from compact models around 110 cm wide to wide pieces of about 185 cm with nine drawers. Depth is usually between 45 and 55 cm. Check the listed dimensions of each model.
Is a marble top practical?
Yes. Marble resists heat and is easy to wipe clean. Avoid acidic liquids such as wine or citrus juice and wipe spills quickly to prevent marks.
Does a white and gold chest suit a modern room?
Yes. A single white and gold chest works as a statement piece in a modern interior. Keep the surroundings calm so the carving stands out.
Can I order several matching chests for a hotel?
Yes. We supply hotels, interior designers and retailers as well as private clients. Please contact us with the number of rooms and preferred finishes.
The baroque world of Barockgroßhandel
- French Style Beds
- French Style Bedroom
- French Style Wardrobes
- French Chest of Drawers
- French Dressing Tables
- French Style Furniture
- Louis XV Chairs
- Louis XVI Chairs
- Rococo Furniture
- Venetian Mirrors
- Ornate Furniture
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