A chiffonier is a piece of furniture that was quite practical, but rarely made to look extravagant. Usually used in a dining room for storage, chiffoniers are cupboards that typically have one two drawers and extra shelf space. Some are designed to have a mirror as part of the backing.
Chiffoniers were popular during the 19th century, and when translated from French, simply means "rag gatherer." They were probably used as a chest to hold odds and ends before becoming a popular dining room piece. They have also been used in the bedroom to hold women's lingerie.
The earliest chiffoniers that we know of were created around England's Empire period. Rosewood was the most popular lumber at the time, and most chiffoniers were created using it. The hardware for the knobs was commonly made from brass. They had legs and feet that sometimes resembled claws.
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In rare cases that chiffoniers were made to be beautiful, detailed bronze sphinxes have also adorned the feet of the cabinets. What once was considered possibly to be no more than a common "junk drawer," the 19 th century chiffonier is a beautiful piece of art which styles can be seen reflected in modern style furniture.
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