19th Century Fine Biedermeier Walnut Chest of Drawers. Vienna, c. 1825.
Located in Vienna, AT
Pieces of such quality as this large, fine Viennese Biedermeier commode are very rare and hard to find.
Brass
19th Century Small Biedermeier Walnut Chest of Drawers. Vienna, c. 1830
Located in Vienna, AT
We are pleased to present this exquisite early 19th-century petit Biedermeier walnut chest of drawers, crafted in Vienna circa 1830. This rare and refined piece is a superb example ...
Brass
19th Century Biedermeier Nutwood Chest Of Drawers/ Secretaire Desk, AT ca. 1840
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Remarkable Austrian Biedermeier chest of drawers/ secretary desk veneered with finest nut wood from the famous period in Austria around 1840.
Brass
19th Century Exceptional Biedermeier Pair of Chests of Drawers. Vienna c. 1825
Located in Vienna, AT
Exquisite Pair of Early Viennese Biedermeier Walnut Commodes, Vienna circa 1820–1825 This exceptional pair of early Biedermeier walnut commodes was crafted in Vienna around 1820–182...
Brass
19th Century Fine Biedermeier Walnut Chest of Drawers. Vienna, c. 1825
Located in Vienna, AT
This elegant three-drawer commode is a perfect representation of the early Viennese Biedermeier period, known for its harmonious proportions, refined simplicity, and outstanding craf...
Brass
19th Century Fine Biedermeier Walnut Chest of Drawers. Vienna, c. 1825
Located in Vienna, AT
Pieces of such quality as this fine, exceptional Viennese Biedermeier commode are very rare and hard to find.
Brass
19th Century Biedermeier Chest Of Drawers With Carvings, Nutwood - AT ca. 1860
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Lovely mid 19th century chest of drawers from thefamous so-called "second" Biedermeier period in Austria around 1860. This great old restored three drawer commode (we have additional...
Brass
Biedermeier Walnut Chest with Ebonized Accents and Figural Mounts, 19th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
A refined 19th-century Biedermeier chest of drawers in walnut, showcasing the clean lines and restrained elegance characteristic of the style. This three-drawer chest is crafted with...
Walnut
19th Century Biedermeier Walnut Chest & Vitrine. Vienna, c. 1820-25.
Located in Vienna, AT
Hello, We would like to offer you this truly exquisite, early Biedermeier walnut chest of three drawers and vitrine. The piece was made in Vienna circa 1820-25. Viennese Biedermeier...
Brass
19th Century Biedermeier Chest of Drawers in Striking Tiger Maple Veneer
Located in Atlanta, GA
An elegant 19th century Biedermeier chest of drawers, showcasing the refined lines and understated sophistication characteristic of the period. This piece is clad in richly figured t...
Wood, Maple
19th Century Fine Biedermeier Walnut Chest of Drawers. Vienna, c. 1825.
Located in Vienna, AT
We are pleased to offer you this exceptional early Biedermeier walnut chest of four drawers, an extraordinary piece created in Vienna around 1825—a true testament to the golden age o...
Brass, Gold Leaf
Biedermeier Period 19th Century Walnut Butler's Chest with Drop Front Desk
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Biedermeier period walnut butler's chest from the 19th century with drop front desk, ebonized accents and inlaid escutcheons. Born during the elegant Biedermeier period of the 19th...
Wood, Walnut
19th Century Biedermeier Chest Of Drawers With Micro-Inlays, Walnut, AT ca. 1850
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Beautiful, small mid 19th century Biedermeier nutwood chest of drawers coming out of Austria.
Brass
19th Century Biedermeier Chest of Drawers/ Commmode, Hand-Polished, AT ca. 1825
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Remarkable, completely restored 19th century Biedermeier chest of drawers from the famous period around 1825 in Austria.
Brass
18th Century Fine Pair of Neoclassical Commodes. Vienna, c. 1800.
Located in Vienna, AT
As specialists in Austrian and Viennese Biedermeier, Art Nouveau, and Neoclassical furniture for over three decades, we offer a rare and unrivaled selection, directly from the heart ...
Brass
$4,518Sale Price|34% Off
Biedermeier Cherrywood Chest of Drawers, Austrian, Circa 1840
Located in Darmstadt, DE
This exquisite Biedermeier chest of drawers is a fine example of early 19th-century Austrian craftsmanship. Dating to around 1840, the piece features a harmonious design with clean l...
Brass
$5,241Sale Price|35% Off
19th Century Biedermeier Solid Cherrywood Chest Of Drawer
Located in Darmstadt, DE
This beautifully proportioned Biedermeier chest of drawers was crafted in Austria around 1825 and is a timeless example of early 19th-century design. Made entirely of solid cherrywoo...
Brass
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.