The term bachelor's chest refers to a shallow chest-of-drawers with a hinged top, usually enclosing a veneered surface. The top is generally supported by a pair of lopers placed to either side of the top drawer and is used for writing on, or as a dressing-table. The small size of the bachelor's chest indicates that it was designed as a piece of bedroom furniture, to fit in the window pier, against the wall, thus benefitting from the daylight. There is no evidence however, that the term bachelor's chest was used until the 19th Century.