Commodes and Chests of Drawers
1940s Italian Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
18th Century French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
1870s Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1960s British Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
19th Century French Empire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Ormolu
20th Century French Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Bronze
19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
18th Century English George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1930s French Louis XVI Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Cherry
1870s French Napoleon III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
1820s French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Bronze
Late 19th Century English Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
Late 20th Century Italian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1760s Italian Baroque Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Fruitwood, Walnut
1860s French Louis Philippe Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 20th Century American Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 1900s French Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Paint
Late 20th Century American Ming Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Pakistani Victorian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak, Paint, Pine
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bone, Wood
Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Beech, Plywood
Early 20th Century American Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
1780s Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
1730s Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
Late 18th Century English George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1840s Italian Neoclassical Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 19th Century Hungarian Folk Art Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine, Paint
1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
Mid-19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1970s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
Late 20th Century American Regency Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Upholstery, Glass, Wood
1820s French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1840s Chinese Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Teak
Late 19th Century Swedish Victorian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1890s French Louis Philippe Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Nutwood
Mid-19th Century Swedish Empire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Birch
18th Century Italian Baroque Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wrought Iron
1950s Italian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Ormolu
Late 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
1970s Italian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
20th Century American Chippendale Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1810s French Empire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Fruitwood
Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Ash, Elm, Maple
2010s German Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Macassar, Lacquer, Mahogany
19th Century American Federal Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Biedermeier Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1870s French Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
18th Century French Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
1860s English Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pottery, Mahogany
1970s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Beech
21st Century and Contemporary Organic Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Elm, Reclaimed Wood
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.