| So, you think you know your stuff? It seems that | | | | question. It seems achiffonier is a high and narrow |
| while so many of us arewonderfully obsessed with | | | | chest, whereas a highboy is defined as atall chest |
| collecting antiques, we're really not all thatclear on the | | | | with a legged base. Both of these are considered |
| meaning of some of the pieces of furniture that we | | | | chests ofdrawers. So there you have it. |
| do obtain. | | | | Onwards to the armoire... or is it a wardrobe? Well, |
| For example, that 'dresser' in your room, would you | | | | both have a rod withinthem for hanging clothing on |
| call it a highboy, achest of drawers, or perhaps a | | | | and again, both have doors. Here's |
| chiffonier? Why? Such is the sometimesdreadfully | | | | somethingdefinitive though: a wardrobe often |
| confusing task of classifying antique objects. | | | | possesses a smaller, streamlined lookwhile armoires |
| Before an explanation of highboys, let's first consider | | | | tend to be bigger and more ornate. |
| the differencebetween a sideboard and a buffet. | | | | There are a few English wardrobes that were |
| Often, the two terms are usedinterchangeably, and | | | | designed for gentlemen whichcontain an area for |
| for good reason, as they are more or less the | | | | hanging garments of one side and having |
| samething. As defined by the French, a buffet is a | | | | labelledcompartments for certain other articles. These |
| small sideboard for storingdishes. Maybe a sideboard | | | | particular pieces, mostlymanufactured in the early |
| might look a litter larger than a buffet, but bothserve | | | | 20th century aren't too big on decorative flare,but |
| the same purpose. Serving utensils and dishes can be | | | | are definitely amassing popularity, as they are still |
| kept below with alarge flat surface above to display | | | | cheaply priced. |
| and serve food. Many have mirrored backsand shelf | | | | All in all, the differing terminology for similar pieces |
| space, but some have no back at all. | | | | tends to relyheavily on the sellers preference. The |
| Getting back to the bedroom where lies the | | | | only thing that's truly important isthat you do indeed |
| highboy-chiffonier-chest ofdrawers conundrum, you | | | | love the piece of antique furniture you're buying, |
| may now be wondering: 'indeed, what do I have | | | | ifthat is so, the name of your piece doesn't matter |
| here?' | | | | at all. |
| Well, the answer might just be as frustrating as the | | | | |