George III Mahogany Chest
Located in London, GB
A FINE GEORGE II MAHOGANY CHEST, CIRCA 1740. The hinged top with a ribbon and flower carved boarder. The base with a leaf-carved moulding on scroll and leaf-carved bracket feet. Ori...
Brass
Rustic Blue Blanket Chest
Located in Bradenton, FL
An antique rustic style blanket chest painted in a rich Giverny blue, popular in early 20th Century interiors and named after the village in Northern France where Claude Monet lived....
Wood, Paint
Carved Chinese Camphor Chest
Located in Kastrup, DK
An antique carved Chinese camphor and blackwood chest. Blackwood front carved in relief with dragons in the sky / clouds. Fitted with original brass medalion, richly chiseled in th...
Hardwood
Continental Carved Walnut Chest
Located in Vista, CA
A continental carved walnut chest in the Renaissance taste, 18th century, probably Italian, the lid opens to a void interior. The case is carved with figures, acanthus scrolls and fo...
Walnut
Brass Mounted Camphor Chest
Located in San Francisco, CA
C. 19th century Brass mounted camphor chest w/original key & provenance.
Brass
$1,558Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Workman's Chest, English, Pine Tool Chest, Coffee Table, Victorian, 1880
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique workman's chest. An English, pine tool chest or coffee table, dating to the Victorian period and later, circa 1880. Robust and substantial, with a useful fitted i...
Pine
Ducal Armada Strongbox Safe wrought iron polychrome Renaissance Nuremburg
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
Modern Use While retaining its historical integrity, the strongbox adapts naturally to modern use, functioning as a secure safe, storage chest, or a striking coffee or sofa table, it...
Iron
Scandinavian Blue Marriage Chest
Located in Greenwich, CT
Wonderful 19th Century Scandinavian blue painted marriage chest, with the owner's initials and dated 1874, the domed top with cleated ends, the dovetailed case with candle till box t...
Birch, Pine
18th Century French Oak Coffer, Gothic Style Antique Storage Box
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
18th Century Small French Oak Coffer, Strong Box
Oak
17th Century Italian Chest
Located in Esbeek, NL
17th century painted italian chest Nord italian
Wood
Rustic 18th-Century Walnut Mountain Chest
Located in Pont-Saint-Martin, IT
Its generous interior provides plenty of storage space for blankets, linens, fabrics and other belongings.
Walnut
Chest or Stollentruhe, Early 16th Century, German Gothic, Oak Chest, Original
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
The great weight of this chest, the plain back, and decorative carving and ironwork indicative that it was essentially a static piece of furniture, combining large storage capacity a...
Oak
17th Century Swedish Baroque Chest
Located in Allerum, SE
17th century Swedish Baroque pine Chest / Trunk with an coat of arms and iron details with engravings. Dated 1668, Sweden.
Pine
19th Century South American Chest
Located in Rio De Janeiro, BR
This chest, with its timeless design and functional versatility, would be an ideal addition to any home, offering both storage and a tangible connection to Brazil’s rich colonial past.
Wood
HUGE ANTiQUE DUTCH MARQUETRY INLAID CIRCA 1700 STORAGE TRUNK WITH ORIGINAL KEY
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this absolutely enormous Circa 1700 Dutch Marquetry inlaid storage trunk or chest with the huge original loc...
Iron
Large Gothic chest strongbox
Located in Vosselaar, BE
A verry rare and quite large Gothic chest in untouched condition. Strongbox like these where made for the safekeeping of money, important documents and precious items. Usually commis...
Iron
Antique Carved Wood Italian Chest
Located in New York, NY
A mid 19th Century Italian wood chest with carved foliage, with original key and painted interior. Measurements: Height: 32" Length: 29" Width: 19"
Wood
17th Century Oak Baroque Chest
Located in Dusseldorf, DE
Today, they are ideal for hallways and entrance areas, for example, for practical storage and as seating. Rectangular flat-lidded chest with continuous side panels and a strictly s...
Oak
$1,850
1747 Six Plank Chest
Located in Greenwich, CT
Good 18th century English oak six plank chest, the simple top with original iron strap hinges and lock hasp over bootjack sides having arched feet and scroll carving, the front decor...
Oak
$1,295
Pine Trunk or Mule Chest
Located in Baltimore, MD
A trunk or blanket chest with a drawer at the bottom is known as a mule chest, probably because it is a cross between a blanket chest and a chest of drawers.
Pine
$1,408Sale Price|30% Off
Antique Vintage very large strong log or storage basket boulangerie
Located in Wisbech, England
Antique Vintage very large strong boulangerie basket. Would make an oh so impressive log basket for a country house or hotel. These are so hard to find now. Dating from the first ha...
Wood
19th-Century Rustic Larch Wood Chest
Located in Pont-Saint-Martin, IT
Its spacious interior provides practical storage for linens, textiles, or everyday household items.
Fir
Pine Trunk or Blanket Chest
Located in Baltimore, MD
A bold ogee molding is pegged onto the edge of the top of this handsome trunk.. The top lifts on iron strap hinges, to reveal a deep storage well with a lidded candle box on the upp...
Pine
English Pine Trunk or Blanket Chest
Located in Baltimore, MD
The top lifts on massive iron strap hinges, to reveal a deep storage well inside. There is evidence that once a linen tray sat at the top of the well.
Pine
Antique Swedish Wooden trunk / storage box 1825 Signed Handmade Folk Craft
Located in Forest, BE
Swedish antique pine and birch wooden trunk / storage box. . It is a true piece from the early 19 century. Engraved with handmade signature inside and dated 1825. _________________...
Birch, Pine
$38,500
18thc Regence chest
Located in Dallas, TX
18th c fine Regence rosewood and mahogany commode. Original marble top
Marble
17th Century Spanish Walnut Chest
Located in Brussels, Brussels
superb Spanish walnut chest from the Spanish Renaissance of the 17th century The chest has its original wrought iron entrance and its original lock Very beautiful molding work on th...
Walnut
18th Century Hungarian Marriage Chest
Located in Cirencester, GB
This mid-18th Century Chest was sourced in Hungary and is a striking example of traditional folk and rural craftsmanship. This piece would have been a central element in a young bri...
Pine
English Carved Oak Coffer Chest
Located in Woodbury, CT
This particular chest has a lid that opens to reveal an interior fully outfitted for silver storage with myriad trays for cutlery and linens.
Oak
Walnut Chippendale Blanket Box / Mule Chest
Located in East Aurora, NY
Walnut Chippendale Blanket Box / Mule Chest with a molded top and base. Nicely hand dovetailed construction on the case and bracket feet which look to possibly be an early replaceme...
Walnut
19th Century Painted Pine Blanket Chest
Located in Dekalb, IL
Rectangular pine blanket chest with a hinged lid and applied base molding, constructed with exposed hand-cut dovetail joinery at the corners. The case shows a warm, aged surface with...
Iron
Antique Chest in Black, Germany
Located in Dusseldorf, DE
Antique German open chest/box in black from approximate 1860 presumably for the storage of music notes.
Wood, Oak
17th Century Carved Oak Chest
Located in Allerum, SE
17th century Baroque carved oak chest / trunk with wrought iron handles and hinges. Ca 1650, Northern Europe.
Oak
17th Century Baroque Oak Chest
Located in Allerum, SE
French 17th century Baroque oak chest / trunk in it's original raw finish with great patina. Ca 1690 France.
Oak
Antique Vermont Grain Painted Blanket Chest
Located in Cambridge, US
A wonderful blanket or mule chest most likely made in Vermont during the 1820s or 1830s.
Iron
Gothic Chest with linenfold panels
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
GOTHIC CHEST WITH LINENFOLD PANELS ORIGIN : ILE DE FRANCE PERIOD : CIRCA 1500 Height : 78 cm Length : 167 cm Depth : 61 cm Walnut Simple in the structure, this chest ...
Wood, Walnut
Swedish 19th Century Painted Pine Blanket Chest
Located in Atlanta, GA
Painted pine chests of this kind were a staple of Swedish country furniture, used for the storage of textiles, linens, and household goods.
Wood
Chest Dated 1624 - Haute Savoie
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Superb walnut chest from the Renaissance period dated 1624 from the Haute Savoie region Very beautiful blond walnut chest which has its original lock and key We can find the IHS mono...
Walnut
A MATCHED PAiR OF EXTRA LARGE ANTIQUE ORNATELY HAND CARVED LINEN STORAGE TRUNKS
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning pair of Circa 1880 ornately hand carved slightly domed top storage trunks Please note: The d...
Oak
Small Colonial Chest - 18th Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Lovely little colonial chest from the 18th century Very beautiful little chest with very interesting dimensions since it's smaller than the usual chests in perfect condition and with...
Chestnut
18th Century German Baroque Chest
Located in Dusseldorf, DE
Original German baroque round-lidded chest from the 18th century. Made of solid oak wood and richly decorated with hand-forged fittings. Monogrammed with ‘BLSG’ and the year 1798. T...
Wrought Iron
Spanish Chest with Arcade design
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
SPANISH CHEST WITH ARCADE DESIGN ORIGIN: SPAIN PERIOD: LATE 15TH – EARLY 16TH CENTURY DIMENSIONS: Height: 61 cm Length: 135 cm Depth: 48 cm Chestnut wood Good condition This H...
Wood, Chestnut
18thC Oak Lancashire Mule Chest
Located in Altrincham, GB
18thC Oak Lancashire Mule Chest with Panelled Front and Sides Two with Brass Handles and a Lift up Lid Blanket Chest 58"w x 22"d x 33"h
Brass
Grain Painted Blanket Chest, Pennsylvania
Located in Savannah, GA
A grain painted blanket chest, Pennsylvania circa 1850. 31 ¾ inches wide by 17 ¾ inches deep by 23 ¼ inches tall
Wood, Paint
17th Century Oak Marriage Chest
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
For sale is a good quality mid 17th century oak marriage chest, having a three panel top with raised and fielded panels to the front, with a carved date of 1744 and the initials H.B....
Oak
Swat Valley Hand Painted Chest
Located in Asbury Park, NJ
Wonderful hand painted swat valley chest. The colors are great on this piece. There is a sliding door that allows access into this chest.
Wood
French Blanket Chest circa 1830
Located in Denton, TX
Rustic country French coffer used for storage of linens and blankets. Beautiful French oak with forged iron lock, there is no key available.
Iron
Elizabethan Period Carved Oak Marriage Chest
Located in Montreal, QC
Elizabethan Carved Oak Boarded Chest England: circa 1580 Provenance: Metro Antiques NYC
Oak
Monumental Antique Indian Dowry Chest
Located in Forney, TX
Fine Antiques & Estates Auction catalog DIMENSIONS: (approx) 48" High, 65.5" Wide, 34" Deep Ideal size and proportions for a variety of different uses, including as a massive bl...
Iron
Antique English 17th Century Jacobean Oak Mule Chest Blank Chest Trunk, C.1660
Located in London, GB
A Jacobean oak mule chest Antique English 17th century Jacobean Oak Mule Chest circa 1660 A Charles II Jacobean oak mule chest 17th century, geometric moulded panel front, lon...
Oak
Chippendale Chest-on-Chest
By Thomas Chippendale
Located in Chireno, TX
Chippendale chest-on-chest, Classic British country tall chest (chest-on-chest), circa 1770-1780, in English oak with later brass hardware and expected wear, patina and wood shrinkag...
Brass
19th Century Swedish Folk Art Chest
Located in Allerum, SE
Fine 19th century Swedish folk art chest in painted pine wood & wrought iron. Polychrome painted decoration with clouds and a cartouche decorated with flowers. Dated 1802 on the lid....
Pine
19th Century Mahogany Collectors Chest
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
19th Century Mahogany Collectors chest with low gallery to the top and four drawers with knob handles standing on four turned feet.
Mahogany
1801 Floral Painted Alpine Blanket Chest
Located in Vo', Veneto
Painted Tyrolean chest dated 1801 Painted chest dated 1801, decorated with floral motifs, typical of the Alpine tradition of 19th-century Central Europe. Technical information: Peri...
Fir
Swat Valley Hand Carved Chest
Located in Asbury Park, NJ
A great vintage hand carved chest from the Swat Valley. This turn of the century piece has carved symbols in the front and still retains its original chain lock and hinges.
Wood
Painted Wooden Normandy Wedding Chest - 19th Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Beautiful beechwood wedding chest with it's original paintings with a rich colors featuring foliage, flowers, garlands, and a wreath in the center Early 19th-century Norman folk art....
Wood
Japanese Antique Drawer 1860s-1920s / Sideboard Wabi Sabi
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is a very old drawer storage chest made in Japan. It dates back to the Meiji era (1860s–1920s) and is crafted from Japanese cedar wood.
Iron
Rural Primitive Chest, France, 19th Century
Located in Antwerp, BE
The chest offers a spacious storage compartment, perfect for keeping essentials neatly tucked away.
Wood
Antique Handpainted Wedding Chest, Hungary, 1843
Located in New York, NY
Antique Handpainted Wedding Chest, Hungary, 1843. This exquisite chest exhibits splendid hand-painted floral motifs executed in pretty reds, blues, and yellows cast against a dark ...
Pine, Paint
Rustic Rural Chest, France, 19th Century
Located in Antwerp, BE
This 19th-century rustic wooden chest exudes rustic charm with its timeworn patina and sturdy, handcrafted construction.
Wood
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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