Biedermeier Tallboy
Antique 19th Century Danish Biedermeier Cabinets
Metal, Brass
Recent Sales
Antique Mid-19th Century Danish Biedermeier Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Antique Mid-19th Century Swedish Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century Danish Biedermeier Furniture
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century Danish Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Antique Mid-19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Birch
Antique Mid-19th Century Danish Biedermeier Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century German Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Birch
Antique 19th Century German Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Birch, Lacquer
Antique 19th Century German Biedermeier Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Birch
Antique 1830s German Biedermeier Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Antique 1880s Danish Biedermeier Dressers
Mahogany
Antique 1880s Danish Biedermeier Dressers
Mahogany
Antique 1850s European Biedermeier Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany, Oak
People Also Browsed
Antique 19th Century American American Classical Sofas
Mahogany, Burl
Mid-20th Century Swedish Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables
Birch
Antique Mid-19th Century English Aesthetic Movement Dinner Plates
Earthenware, Majolica, Pottery
Antique 19th Century English Victorian Wardrobes and Armoires
Walnut
Early 20th Century Cabinets
Wood, Paint
Mid-20th Century American Cabinets
Brass, Steel
Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Dining Room Chairs
Birch
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Credenzas
Bronze
Antique 1830s Rococo Revival Beds and Bed Frames
Brass
Antique 1890s Belgian Rustic Dinner Plates
Ceramic
Antique Early 19th Century Portuguese Desks and Writing Tables
Rosewood
21st Century and Contemporary American Tables
Ebony, Oak, Walnut
Antique 1880s British Victorian Pitchers
Ceramic, Majolica
Antique 19th Century Portuguese Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Metal
Antique Early 19th Century British Victorian Dining Room Tables
Wood, Mahogany
Antique 19th Century German Biedermeier Benches
Upholstery, Walnut
Finding the Right Commodes-chests-of-drawers for You
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.