19th Century Directoire Inlaid Commode
Located in Charlottesville, VA
Directoire inlaid commode of three long drawers, the figured walnut fronts framed with line inlay and crossbanding, fitted with oval urn-cast brass pulls and pierced foliate escutche...
Wood
Original Painted Italian Commode
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Stunning 18th C original painted Italian commode with faux marble top. 1780 Dimensions 47.5 inches (121 cms) Wide 23 inches (58 cms) Deep 32.5 inches (83 cms) High.
Pine
Italian Marble Top Commode
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
19th C Italian three drawer painted commode with a marble top, 1820. Dimensions: 51 inches (130 cms) wide 21.5 inches (55 cms) deep 36 inches (91 cms) high.
Marble
Italian Renaissance Walnut Commode
Located in Greenwich, CT
Very Fine Northern Italian (Tuscan) Renaissance commode, the molded top over three drawers with arabesque carved fronts and applied molded edges, the sides carved with term figures a...
Poplar, Walnut
French Bleached Mahogany Directoire’ Commode
Located in Dallas, TX
The French Bleached Mahogany Directoire' Commode is an antique piece of furniture that adds a touch of elegance and history to any room. With its classic design and use of high-quali...
Marble
19th Century Gustavian Commode
Located in Belmont, MA
Exquisite Gustavian commode, bleached mahogany veneer with brass decorations. Beautifully refinished and French polished.
Mahogany
19th Century French Walnut Commode
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
A mid 19th Century French walnut commode. With three drawers for useful storage and a beautiful white marble top. Circa 1850.
Marble
19th Century French Lacquer Commode
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
A beautiful 19th Century French commode decorated in the 'Lacca Povera' style. Circa 1830.
Wood, Lacquer
18th Century English Walnut Chest on Chest
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
A Mid 18th Century English Walnut Tallboy or Chest on Chest of Glowing Colour. This double chest of drawers, or tallboy, is veneered in walnut. It stands beautifully on original sh...
Walnut
$6,791 / set
Pair of Swedish Painted Commodes
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Good pair of pine Swedish 19th C painted commodes.
Pine
Swedish Fluted Drawer Fronts Commode
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Early 19th C Swedish pine commode with fluted drawer fronts.
Pine
$8,149Sale Price|20% Off
18th Century Italian Commode
Located in Brighton, Sussex
An impressive 18th century Italian Walnut serpentine fronted commode. Having marquetry boxwood inlaid scrolling decoration to the top, sides and drawer fronts, the original brass scr...
Walnut
$21,175Sale Price|44% Off
Faux Marbled, Venetian Commode
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A striking, c. 1800 hand-carved, painted, and parcel gilt Venetian commode with three, sinuously paneled drawers. The whole in faux verde and Siena marbling and further embellished w...
Wood
19th Century Venetian Commode
Located in New Orleans, LA
19th century painted, gilded and carved commode.
Exceptional, Period Chinoiserie Commode
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A most unusual and rare, c. 1800, hand-carved and painted, serpentine, Venetian, Chinoiserie commode in the bombé style, with rounded legs terminating in ormolu feet. The whole richl...
Onyx, Marble, Bronze
Antique American Maple Chest-On-Chest
Located in Bridgeport, CT
The tall chest-on-chest finely crafted in maple with tiger maple drawers. The top chest has a cavetto cornice over two short drawers flanking a center short drawer with a finely carv...
Brass
$13,500
18th Century German Commode
Located in Hudson, NY
A three-drawer commode with burled veneer inset panels. Satinwood stringing and fruitwood body.
Walnut
Antique Flame Mahogany Chest on Chest
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
Antique Flame Mahogany Chest on Chest Item Code: 1268A A handsome antique chest on chest in richly figured flame mahogany, dating from the late 19th to early 20th century. This well-...
Mahogany
$13,000
18th Century Italian Commode
Located in New Orleans, LA
18th century painted, gilded and carved Italian commode.
Wood
Period Empire Italian Commode
Located in New Orleans, LA
Exceptional Empire walnut commode with neoclassical giltwood carved appliques.
Walnut
George III Chest on Chest, England 1880
Located in Culver City, CA
George III Chest on Chest England, 1880 George III mahogany chest on chest secretary with figured drawer fronts, brass hardware, a fall-front writing surface, and fitted interior c...
Mahogany
Sormani Antique Petite Commode
By Paul Sormani
Located in Atlanta, GA
Superb petite commode signed "SORMANI" under the marble at each corner and also on the lock "SORMANI 134 Blvd Hausmann Paris", exquisite ormolu mounts and inlay.
French 18th Century Commode Secretaire
Located in Stockbridge, GA
This beautiful Commode secretaire is made of flamed mahogany with a black marble top.
Marble
18thc Walnut Directoire Commode
Located in New Orleans, LA
Beautifully Simple Walnut Commode
Marble
19th c. German Biedermeier Mahogany Commode
Located in Dallas, TX
The product is a 19th-century German Biedermeier mahogany commode. This chest features a beautiful finish and outstanding craftsmanship typical of the Biedermeier style, with its sim...
Mahogany
French Regence Inlaid Commode
Located in WEST PALM BEACH, FL
Period French kingwood and tulipwood inlaid Regence commode with gilt metal mounts and shaped marble top, circa 1720.
Wood
Serpentine Front Rococo Commode
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Pretty 19th century French painted serpentine front commode with a marble top, 1880. Dimensions 47.5 inches (121 cms) wide 20 inches (51 cms) deep 31.5 inches (80 cms) high. ...
Marble
18th Century Genovese Commode
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Unusual, hand carved, veneered, inlaid and ebonized, four drawer, serpentine front commode with clipped corners bolstered by turned pilasters capped with Corinthian capitals. The who...
Wood, Pearwood, Burl
$36,000
18th c. Walnut Commode
Located in New Orleans, LA
Beautifully shaped commode with lovely patina
Walnut
19th Century French Mahogany Commode
Located in Woodbury, CT
19th Century French mahogany four-drawer commode with original marble top; paneled sides and fluted chamfered corners standing on bun feet. Original brass ring pulls. Marble has ol...
Marble, Brass
$25,000
18th Century Walnut Commode
Located in Houston, TX
Spectacular 18th century walnut commode with three drawers and original hardware. Each drawer follows the lines of the top of the piece and have been carved out of a single piece of ...
Walnut
18th Century French Commode
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Commode, of pine, with original finish, its shaped and molded top on conforming base, two stacked drawers adorned with Rococo handles and escutcheons, serpentine apron centered by a ...
Pine
1920s Venetian Painted Petite Commode
Located in Charlottesville, VA
A charming petite commode on cabriole legs with a shaped apron, two drawers with wooden knobs, and hand-painted floral and scroll decoration throughout. The top is faux marble.
Wood, Paint
Italian Neoclassic Walnut Commode
Located in Essex, MA
From a Miles Redd install. Rectangular top with central oval inlay. Three drawers all with keys. Square tapered legs.
Walnut
$10,995
Louis XVI Dutch Commode
Located in Vista, CA
Louis XVI period Dutch commode with central urn and floral carved motif on the drawers flanked by circular rosette hardware with a barley twist round handle. Each drawer has rosettes...
Paint, Wood
Hepplewhite Style Demilune Commode
Located in Asheville, NC
Demilune Commode by Williamsport Furniture Company (plaque inside drawer) Early 20th century, suspected mahogany veneer with a later applied faux finish, cabriole legs, hepplewhite s...
Decorated Venetian Neoclassical Commode
Located in Greenwich, CT
Very fine 18th century Italian, probably Venetian three-drawer commode, the top faux painted to simulate Sienna marble, over three graduated drawers festooned with floral and ribbon ...
Poplar
French 18th Century Regence Commode
Located in Round Top, TX
A very beautiful early 18th century French Regence Commode. Wonderfully constructed from sturdy oak in arbalete form with 4 drawers. A stunning addition to any classical surrounding.
Oak
$27,950
18th Century Regence Commode
Located in Dallas, TX
Important Regence commode created in the 18th century Four drawers with locking device Carved gilt bronzes and marble top Bronzes on front legs and lower middle decoration Escutc...
Marble, Bronze
George III Mahogany Chest on Chest
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
For sale is a good quality George III mahogany chest on chest, having a total of seven graduated drawers, each with brass handles, raised on bracket feet, the chest remains in very g...
Mahogany
19th Century Dutch Bombe Commode
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Pretty early 19th C Dutch bombe 4 drawer commode with later paint. 1820
Brass
19th Century Dutch Bombe Commode
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Pretty early 19th C Dutch bombe 4 drawer commode with later paint. 1820
Brass
French 18th Century Transition Commode
Located in Stockbridge, GA
This French 18th Century Commode is made of inlay and marquetry with a Sainte-Anne marble top. This line of furniture is called in the French history Transition, because it is a betw...
Marble
$5,265
Campaign Chest
Located in Los angeles, CA
Campaign Chest
Brass, Steel
Georgian Oak Chest-on-Chest, c.1780
Located in Savannah, GA
Georgian bleached oak chest-on-chest, circa 1780. Upper and lower chest each with two graduated long drawers, fitted with patinated brass pulls and escutcheons, raised on bracket fe...
Oak
Louis XV Kingwood Commode
Located in Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire
A Louis XV kingwood commode of a good color and patina: attractive serpentine and bombe shape, original mounts still retaining most of their gilding, original Saint-Anne Grand Dessin...
Kingwood
South German Bow-Front Commode
Located in Dallas, TX
Fine early 19th century South German walnut bow-front commode. South German commodes—especially from Bavaria, Franconia, and Württemberg—are known for their curved façades, walnut ve...
Wood
Georgian Bow Chested Chest of Drawers
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Feathered Mahogany. Compromising of 2 small and 3 large cock-beaded drawers. A very good bow fronted chest. All drawers run well. They have dust panels which prevents dust from runni...
Mahogany
18th c. Burled Walnut Chest on Chest
Located in Greenwich, CT
A statuesque 18th century chest on chest in burled walnut with glorious color, featuring canted and reeded corners, graduated and crossbanded drawers, pierced brass hardware, a demil...
Walnut
Fine 19th Century Chest On Chest
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A very well made and beautifully constructed Antique Chest on Chest with fine traditional form and having dove-tail constructed drawers, good size, quality brass drop pulls and escu...
Brass
French 18th Century Pantalonniere Commode
Located in Round Top, TX
Outstanding early 18th century Louis XIV Pantalonniere Commode wonderfully constructed from well patina'd walnut and oak. Wonderfully larger scale, the top with a molded edge above ...
Walnut
French 18th Century Pantalonniere Commode
Located in Round Top, TX
Outstanding early 18th century Louis XIV Pantalonniere Commode wonderfully constructed from well patina'd walnut and oak. Wonderfully larger scale, the top with a molded edge above ...
Walnut
$2,928Sale Price|20% Off
18th Century German Biedermeier Commode
Located in Nashville, TN
Elevate your space with this exquisite 19th-century Austrian Biedermeier commode, crafted from rich crotch walnut that has aged to a stunning golden hue. The traditional elegance of ...
Walnut
Danish Painted Four Drawer Commode
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Interesting 19th C Danish painted 4 drawer commode with a painted fuax marble top. The drawers do open but if you'd like handles then we can send you a photo of handles we stock or y...
Oak
19th Century German Biedermeier Commode
Located in Dallas, TX
Handsome 19th century German Biedermeier commode. Featuring a gorgeous walnut polished finish and bronze hardware. A classic piece that is so elegant! Circa 1920 45w x 22.5d x 36h
Walnut
Exceptional French Transitional Breakfront Commode
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
An exceptional quality 19th century Louis XVI transitional breakfront commode. Beautifully executed with refined proportions and masterful parquetry work. The commode features a grac...
Carrara Marble, Bronze
18th Century Regence Kingwood Commode
Located in Essex, MA
Early 18th Century French Kingwood Marquetry Commode. Original Marble top and ormolu mounts. Wonderful color. Regence Period transitioning into Louis XV. Provenance: Greenwich ...
Marble, Ormolu
18th Century French Provincial Commode
Located in Westlake Village, CA
An 18th-century French Provincial commode in a richly worn black patina, showcasing beautifully aged moulded drawer fronts and subtly canted corners. Its time softened surface and qu...
Wood
Louis XV Kingwood Commode
Located in Essex, MA
With inset serpentine blu turquin marble top over two conforming drawers. Tapered legs.
Marble
Georgian Walnut & Oak Chest on Chest
Located in Woodbury, CT
Georgian walnut and oak chest on chest. Upper section consists of three over three graduated drawers, reeded chamfered corners and deep crown moulding. Bottom section stands on bra...
Oak, Walnut, Ebony, Satinwood
Shopping for 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 any case 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. The term commode was also used to refer to a piece of bedroom furniture — a washstand or nightstand that contained a chamber pot.
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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