Empire Commode Set Of Two
Antique 19th Century Italian Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Ormolu
Antique 1860s French Napoleon III Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Serpentine, Bronze, Ormolu
Antique Late 19th Century Spanish Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mirror, Mahogany, Giltwood
Antique 19th Century Biedermeier Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Brass
Antique 19th Century Italian Empire Cabinets
Metal, Iron
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Antique Early 1900s French Neoclassical Revival Centerpieces
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Ceramic, Porcelain
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Mahogany, Boxwood, Olive, Satinwood
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Glass, Mahogany
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Crystal, Silver
Antique 17th Century English Charles II Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
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Antique 1810s Italian Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Antique 19th Century French Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Granite, Brass
Antique 19th Century English Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Teak
20th Century English Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Antique 1850s Danish Empire Living Room Sets
Birch
Late 20th Century French Dining Room Sets
Antique 1810s French Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
20th Century Unknown Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Antique Mid-19th Century English Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Antique 1830s French Restauration Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Antique 1820s American American Classical Serving Tables
Mahogany
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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