Serpentine Georgian Chest
Antique 1760s British Georgian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Antique 18th Century English Georgian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
20th Century American Georgian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Antique 18th Century Irish Georgian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Antique Mid-18th Century English Chippendale Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Antique Mid-18th Century English Georgian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Antique Early 19th Century English Georgian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Georgian Commodes and Chests of...
Wood
Late 20th Century American Georgian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Antique Early 19th Century English Georgian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Vintage 1960s American Georgian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Vintage 1940s American Georgian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Antique Early 19th Century Georgian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
Antique 18th Century English Chippendale Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
20th Century American Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Antique 1780s British Georgian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Vintage 1930s British Georgian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Antique 1770s English Georgian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century English Georgian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Antique 1780s British Georgian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Antique Mid-18th Century English George II Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Antique 18th Century English Georgian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany, Maple
Antique Late 18th Century British Georgian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 20th Century English Georgian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
20th Century American Georgian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Hardwood
Antique Late 18th Century English Chippendale Commodes and Chests of Dra...
Mahogany
Vintage 1930s British Georgian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Antique 1770s English Georgian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Antique 18th Century English Georgian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Baize, Pine, Mahogany
Late 20th Century American Chippendale Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 20th Century American Chippendale Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Antique Late 18th Century British Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Late 20th Century American Chippendale Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Brass
Mid-20th Century American Georgian Night Stands
Brass
Antique 18th Century British Georgian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 20th Century American Chippendale Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Antique Late 18th Century Unknown George III Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Antique Early 19th Century English George III Commodes and Chests of Dra...
Mahogany, Rosewood
Late 20th Century American Chippendale Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Antique 1890s Italian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut, Giltwood
Mid-20th Century Georgian Serving Tables
Burl
Antique Late 18th Century English Georgian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Satinwood
Antique Late 18th Century English Georgian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany, Satinwood, Wood
Antique 18th Century European George III Table Mirrors
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century English Louis XV Sideboards
Brass
Antique Mid-19th Century Irish Chippendale Dining Room Chairs
Mahogany
Antique Early 1800s English Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Antique 1880s Georgian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century British Georgian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Antique 1790s English George III Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
20th Century British Georgian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Maple, Rosewood
Early 20th Century British Georgian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Antique Late 18th Century English George III Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Vintage 1960s English Georgian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Antique Late 19th Century English Georgian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century British Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany, Satinwood
Early 20th Century English George I Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut, Burl
Antique 1750s Dutch Georgian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Antique 1770s English Adam Style Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Tulipwood, Harewood
Antique 18th Century English Georgian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
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Serpentine Georgian Chest For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Serpentine Georgian Chest?
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.