New to Antiques and to Forums! Need lots of help : )

[flamingocrazygirl]

I've purchased my first piece of furniture that I'm gonna "try" to refinish! I'd love to know more about this piece as the seller knew nothing : (. I'm gonna do my best to post some pictures but it may take me a while to figure it out. Til then, I'll tell you a bit about it. It's some sort of chest of drawers, the top half has doors with real keyhole that open to 3 drawers. The 1st drawer is divided into 3 sections. The next 2 have no dividers. The bottom half also has 3 drawers in which the top one is has 3 sections as well, the last 2, no dividers.

Does anyone know what this should be called? and possibly what era?

Any & all help is much appreciated! Thanks bunches : )

[mart]

Can you take a pic of the dovetails on the side of one of the lower drawers !! That will help date it !!

[dr612]

I think that a piece of this type with cabinet doors that open on the top and exposed drawers was called a "clothes press."  If it opened to a space for hanging clothes, it would be an armoire or wardrobe.  A chiffarobe was a southern armoire or wardrobe with the hanging space to the side of the drawers.

If we can see some details of the dovetails (joined sides of the drawers) and the inside of the case, it would help in determining age.   

[cogar]

Also called a Gentleman's Chest

like this one:

For inside pictures:   http://uantique.com/chest29.htm

[mart]

You two have it pegged !!