Reverse Serpentine Chest
Antique 18th Century American Chippendale Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Antique 1880s German Baroque Revival Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Antique Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Ormolu
Antique Late 19th Century Italian Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Bronze
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Antique Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Planters and Jardinieres
Iron
Antique 18th Century German Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XV Chaise Longues
Walnut, Fabric
Mid-20th Century French Louis XV Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Enamel
Late 20th Century American Chippendale Secretaires
Brass
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Ormolu
Vintage 1960s American Chippendale Desks
Brass
Antique 1740s English Queen Anne Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Antique Late 19th Century American William and Mary Blanket Chests
Brass
Antique 1890s French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Bronze
Antique Early 1900s French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Ormolu, Bronze
Antique 18th Century English Queen Anne Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Antique Early 18th Century German Baroque Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Antique Early 18th Century English George I Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
Antique Early 1900s French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Bronze
Antique Mid-18th Century European Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
Recent Sales
Antique 1790s American Chippendale Dressers
Birch, Maple
Antique 1770s American Chippendale Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Cherry, Pine, Poplar
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
Antique Early 1900s French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
Antique 18th Century and Earlier American Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Antique 18th Century American Chippendale Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Cherry
Antique Late 19th Century French Baroque Revival Commodes and Chests of ...
Mahogany
Antique Late 18th Century French Louis XIV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Bronze
Antique 18th Century and Earlier American Chippendale Commodes and Chest...
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
Antique 19th Century Italian Baroque Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Early 20th Century Danish Late Victorian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Antique 1770s American Chippendale Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Antique Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
Early 20th Century Danish Victorian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Antique 18th Century and Earlier American Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Cherry
English Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Antique 18th Century and Earlier American Rococo Commodes and Chests of ...
Brass, Iron
Antique 19th Century English Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut, Ivory
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Poplar
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Cherry, Poplar
Antique 18th Century and Earlier English Desks and Writing Tables
Mahogany
Antique 18th Century and Earlier American Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Burl, Walnut
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Dutch Rococo Commodes and Chests of Dra...
Antique 1890s French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Italian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut, Olive
20th Century Swedish Dressers
Wood
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Cabinets
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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