Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Late 19th Century English Campaign Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Bronze
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
Late 18th Century British Hepplewhite Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Late 20th Century Philippine Regency Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
1950s Polish Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
18th Century Italian Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1930s Belgian Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
1770s Swiss Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1970s French Scandinavian Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Rosewood
1960s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
18th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Rosewood, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
Late 20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Plastic
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Brass
18th Century French Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
1810s English Regency Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Leather, Hardwood
Mid-18th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1890s English Georgian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1940s French Louis XV Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Breccia Marble, Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Plastic
Mid-18th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1890s French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Bronze
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Elm
Mid-19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal, Bronze
18th Century British Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Rosewood
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
2010s Indian Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
18th Century Italian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
18th Century English George I Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Early 19th Century American Federal Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
1980s American Neoclassical Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mirror, Wood
19th Century French Rustic Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
1940s Italian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Paint
Mid-19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Early 1900s French Country Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
18th Century French Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
21st Century and Contemporary American Regency Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Nickel
Mid-20th Century Canadian Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
19th Century English Victorian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Other
2010s Italian Post-Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Mid-19th Century English Campaign Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
19th Century Japanese Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 19th Century Danish Empire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Elm
1950s French Louis XV Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1930s French Louis XV Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Brass
Mid-20th Century French Louis XVI Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Chrome
1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
Antique and Vintage Chests of Drawers and Commodes for Sale on 1stDibs
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.