18th Century Japanned Commode
Antique 18th Century English George III Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Antique Early 18th Century English George I Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Antique 18th Century English Chinoiserie Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Antique Mid-19th Century French Chinoiserie Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Antique Late 18th Century Japanese Edo Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Cedar
Vintage 1930s Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Paint
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Antique Late 19th Century European Japonisme Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Beech, Birdseye Maple
Antique 18th Century British Chippendale Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Cabinets
Marble, Ormolu
People Also Browsed
2010s Unknown Other Wall Mirrors
Shell, Mirror
Vintage 1920s English George I Chairs
Giltwood
2010s Austrian Jugendstil Chandeliers and Pendants
Silk
20th Century Regency Chandeliers and Pendants
Nickel
Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Wall Mirrors
Wood, Mirror, Shell
Vintage 1940s Swedish Gustavian Dining Room Chairs
Walnut
Antique Mid-19th Century Chinese Qing Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Walnut
Antique 1890s German Dinner Plates
Porcelain
Antique 18th Century Chinese Chinese Export Soup Tureens
Porcelain
21st Century and Contemporary English Chippendale Pier Mirrors and Conso...
Gold Leaf
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Daybeds
Cotton, Pine, Linen, Damask
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese George II Dry Bars
Wood
2010s English Chippendale Mantel Mirrors and Fireplace Mirrors
Mahogany
Early 20th Century British Edwardian Tea Sets
Silver Plate
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Slipper Chairs
Upholstery, Wood, Paint, Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary English Georgian Console Tables
Gold Leaf
Recent Sales
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Japanese Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Antique 18th Century and Earlier English Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Antique Mid-18th Century English Chinoiserie Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Lacquer
Antique Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Lacquer
Antique 18th Century and Earlier German Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Antique 18th Century Japanese Edo Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Antique 1750s English George II Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Antique 1780s Japanese Edo Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Elm, Cedar
Antique 19th Century French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Ormolu
Antique 1870s Scandinavian Chinoiserie Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Antique 18th Century and Earlier French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of ...
Antique Late 18th Century Japanese Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Antique Late 18th Century English Chinoiserie Commodes and Chests of Dra...
Wood
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Japanese Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Iron
Antique Early 18th Century English William and Mary Commodes and Chests ...
Wood, Lacquer
Antique Late 17th Century English Chinoiserie Commodes and Chests of Dra...
Giltwood, Lacquer
Antique Early 18th Century Japanese Edo Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Softwood
Antique 19th Century French Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Bronze
Early 20th Century French Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Bronze
Antique 18th Century and Earlier English Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
Antique Early 18th Century English Chinoiserie Commodes and Chests of Dr...
Brass
Antique 1780s Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Antique Mid-18th Century Dutch Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Gold Leaf
Antique Mid-19th Century Danish Anglo-Japanese Commodes and Chests of Dr...
Sandalwood
Antique 19th Century Italian Rococo Night Stands
Wood
Antique 17th Century English William and Mary Commodes and Chests of Dra...
Wood
Antique 18th Century French Secretaires
Marble, Ormolu
Antique 18th Century Japanese Edo Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Antique Mid-18th Century Japanese Edo Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Other
Antique Early 18th Century English Queen Anne Commodes and Chests of Dra...
Lacquer
Antique 18th Century English George I Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Antique 18th Century European Medieval Cabinets
Iron
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Dutch Baroque Commodes and Chests of Dr...
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Dutch Baroque Commodes and Chests of Dr...
Antique 18th Century and Earlier English Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Antique 18th Century and Earlier American Anglo-Japanese Commodes and Ch...
Maple
Antique 18th Century and Earlier English Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Lacquer
Antique 18th Century and Earlier English Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Sandalwood
Antique Mid-18th Century Commodes and Chests of Drawers
each decorated in shades of gilt with birds, pavilions and flowers on a black ground
the stand with a long dr...
Antique 18th Century and Earlier English Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Antique 19th Century Japanese Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Antique Late 18th Century English George III Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
Antique 18th Century and Earlier French Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Ormolu
Antique Early 18th Century English Queen Anne Commodes and Chests of Dra...
Antique 18th Century and Earlier English Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Antique 18th Century and Earlier English Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Antique 18th Century and Earlier English Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Dutch Neoclassical Revival Cabinets
Brass, Enamel
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Japanese Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Iron
The small open space between the drawers in lower left corner is for stor...
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Japanese Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Italian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
20th Century French Daybeds
Antique 1820s American American Classical Serving Tables
Mahogany
Antique 18th Century European Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Antique 18th Century British Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Antique Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Cherry
Antique 18th Century and Earlier English Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
18th Century Japanned Commode For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a 18th Century Japanned Commode?
Finding the Right commodes-chests-of-drawers for You
Is it a commode or a chest of drawers?
Commode is the French term for a low chest of drawers, but it is also sometimes used to denote a piece with a particularly intricate design. The commode dates to circa 1700 France, where it was used as an alternative to a taller cabinet piece so as to not obscure paneled, mirrored or tapestried walls. Coffers, or chests, which were large wooden boxes with hinged lids and sometimes stood on ball feet, preceded chests of drawers, a fashionable cabinet furnishing that garnered acclaim for its obvious storage potential and versatility.
As time passed, French and British furniture makers led the way in the production of chests of drawers, and features like the integration of bronze and ornamental pulls became commonplace. Antique French commodes in the Louis XV style were sometimes crafted in mahogany or walnut, while an Italian marble top added a sophisticated decorative flourish. This specific type of case piece grew in popularity in the years that followed.
So, what makes a chest of drawers different from a common dresser? Dressers are short, and chests of drawers are overall taller pieces of furniture that typically do not have room on the top for a mirror as most dressers do. Tallboys and highboys are variations of the dresser form. Some chests of drawers have one column of four to six long drawers or three long drawers in their bottom section that are topped by a cluster of small side-by-side drawers on the top. To further complicate things, we sometimes refer to particularly short chests of drawers as nightstands.
Even though chests of drawers are commonly thought of as bedroom furniture to store clothing, these are adaptable pieces. A chest of drawers can house important documents — think of your walnut Art Deco commode as an upgrade to your filing cabinet. Nestle your chest near your home’s front door to store coats and other outerwear, while the top can be a place to drop your handbag. Add some flair to your kitchen, where this lovable case piece can hold pots, pans and even cookbooks.
When shopping for the right chest of drawers for your home, there are a few key things to consider: What will you be storing in it? How big a chest will you need?
Speaking of size, don’t dream too big. If your space is on the smaller side, a more streamlined vintage mid-century modern chest of drawers, perhaps one designed by Paul McCobb or T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, may best suit your needs.
At 1stDibs, we make it easy to add style and storage to your home. Browse our collection of antique and vintage commodes and chests of drawers today.
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