Black Bombay Chest
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Antique 1870s Italian Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mid-20th Century Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Antique Mid-19th Century Swedish Country Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Paint
People Also Browsed
Antique Late 19th Century Tableware
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Buffets
Marble, Bronze
Late 20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Secretaires
Wood
Antique Early 1900s French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Bronze
Antique Early 19th Century French Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Dr...
Marble
Antique 19th Century Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
2010s American Regency Dining Room Tables
Mahogany
Antique Early 19th Century German Louis XVI Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Cherry
Antique 1890s British Georgian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Antique 1890s French Louis Philippe Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Rosewood, Leather
Antique Mid-19th Century Japanese Edo Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Cedar
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
Gold Leaf
2010s Italian Other Beds and Bed Frames
Wood
Antique 19th Century Austrian Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Early 20th Century English Anglo-Japanese Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Lacquer
Antique 18th Century English Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Recent Sales
Antique 19th Century British Anglo Raj Blanket Chests
Iron
20th Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Stone, Brass
Vintage 1930s French Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Vermeil, Silver
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Paint
Mid-20th Century Hollywood Regency Commodes and Chests of Drawers
1990s North American Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Antique 19th Century Danish Louis XV Dressers
Brass
20th Century American Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Late 20th Century American Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Vintage 1930s French Chinoiserie Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
20th Century Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Antique Late 19th Century English End Tables
Wood
Vintage 1930s French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Antique Mid-19th Century English Early Victorian Trunks and Luggage
Canvas
Early 20th Century American Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Bedroom Sets
Brass
20th Century Unknown Hollywood Regency Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Antique Early 1900s French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Ormolu
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.
- What is a Bombay chest?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021A Bombay chest is a piece of wooden furniture — a chest that bulges outward in the front and on the sides and then curves in at the base. This style of chest was popularized in 17th century French design.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Bombay chests originated in France during the 18th century. Their name is actually a misspelling of the real name for the furniture, the bombe chest. Bombé is the French word for curved, and describes the wavy lines of the chests. You'll find a selection of Bombay chests on 1stDibs.
- Why is it called a Bombay chest?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022The chest of drawers with a curvy frame is called a Bombay chest due to a misunderstanding about its name. Its proper name is "bombe" which is correctly pronounced similarly to the word "bomb." However, some people say "bom-BAY." This has led to confusion over how the name of the chest is actually spelled. Find a selection of bombe chests on 1stDibs.
- What are Bombay chests used for?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Bombay chests are also called bombe chests and are a chest of drawers that feature a distinctive curved or bowed shape. The term bombe is French for a curved piece of furniture, meaning bomb-shaped. This shape of chest originated in the early 1700s in an attempt to soften the lines of furniture and create a more comfortable and casual look. Shop a collection of Bombay chests from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
Read More
The Ultimate Guide to Types of Tables for the Home
Whether you’re just moving in or ready to give your home a makeover, our guide will give you pointers on tables that are fitting for every room, nook and hallway.
What Exactly Is a Secretary Desk, and What Is It Used For?
The furniture equivalent of a Swiss Army knife, it's the multifunctional piece you didn't know you needed.
This Shelving System with Oxidized Brass Tubes Is Retro and Futuristic at Once
Italian studio DimoreMilano mustered great ingenuity when crafting these sculptural shelves, which are built without any screws.
28 Cheerful Home Bars, Where Everybody (Literally) Knows Your Name
Simple or sophisticated, equipped with console, cart or custom cabinetry, these stylish bar areas deserve a toast.
Ask an Interior Designer: Work-from-Home Edition
Leaping into a design project, whether it's refreshing the bedroom or redoing the whole house, can be overwhelming. Luckily, we know more than a few interior designers. You asked questions on Instagram, and now they're answering.
Collected and Eclectic, ‘Wunderkammern’ Are Back in a Big Way
Introduced nearly 500 years ago, curiosity cabinets are finding new fans among today's collectors and designers.
Meet the Incredible Woman Transforming Fallen Trees into Sleek Furniture
In the hands of New York Heartwoods cofounder Megan Offner, unwanted local trees become works of design art.
These New York Architects Love a Complicated Project
From Brooklyn townhouses to Maine campgrounds, Trattie Davies and Jonathan Toews relish a challenge, like transforming a former warehouse space into the new 1stdibs Gallery.