highboy

A highboy is a tall chest of drawers on legs, typically composed of two stacked cases: an upper cabinet and a lower cabinet. The upper section usually holds shallower drawers and, in some examples, may incorporate a bureau or drop-front desk element; the lower section contains deeper drawers for bulk storage. The overall effect is a tall, prominent piece that maximizes vertical storage.

Origins and design history

Highboys originated in the 18th century in England and Colonial America as a principal bedroom and dressing-room storage piece. They were commonly crafted in hardwoods such as mahogany, walnut, or cherry and finished with veneers and brass hardware. Styles associated with highboys include Queen Anne, Chippendale, and Federal, often featuring curved or serpentine fronts, bracket or turned feet, and refined drawer pulls. The two-part construction made the piece adaptable for furniture sets and allowed cabinetmakers to pair a tall top with a substantial base.

Variations and use

Two-part construction is characteristic, but some examples were built as single tall cases or paired with a matching lowboy—a shorter chest of drawers placed on the floor. In furniture history, the upper section sometimes served as a functional desk with a fall-front lid, while the lower section provided storage for garments and linens. Today, highboys are valued as antique storage furniture and are reproduced in traditional styles for restoration or period-inspired interiors.