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Pair of T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings Mid-Century American Modern Bleached Walnut
Pair of T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings Mid-Century American Modern Bleached Walnut

Pair of T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings Mid-Century American Modern Bleached Walnut

By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings

Located in Queens, NY

"Pair of Mid-Century American Modern bleached walnut chests with four drawers, each with two square

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Early 1800s French Directoire Commode in Bleached Walnut with Black Stone Top
Early 1800s French Directoire Commode in Bleached Walnut with Black Stone Top

Early 1800s French Directoire Commode in Bleached Walnut with Black Stone Top

Located in Dallas, TX

making this a period piece), the walnut wood has been bleached more recently, giving the three tiers of

Category

Antique Early 19th Century French Directoire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Stone, Metal, Bronze

George III Mahogany Chest of Drawers, c.1810
George III Mahogany Chest of Drawers, c.1810

George III Mahogany Chest of Drawers, c.1810

Located in Savannah, GA

Bleached George III mahogany chest of drawers, circa 1810. Five-drawer chest with two short

Category

Antique 1810s George III Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

Harvey Probber Chest of Drawers
Harvey Probber Chest of Drawers

Harvey Probber Chest of Drawers

By Harvey Probber

Located in New York, NY

Mid-Century Modern chest of drawers by Harvey Probber. Harvey Probber chest of drawers in bleached

Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood, Mahogany

Bleached Louis XV Style Commode, 19th Century
Bleached Louis XV Style Commode, 19th Century

Bleached Louis XV Style Commode, 19th Century

Located in Savannah, GA

A bleached Louis XV style commode with marble top, mid-19th century. 55 inches wide by 22 inches

Category

Antique 19th Century Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble

18th century English oak chest on stand
18th century English oak chest on stand

18th century English oak chest on stand

Located in London, GB

C18th English bleached oak chest on stand. An understated useful English two part oak three drawer

Category

Antique 1780s British Rococo Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Oak

18th Century Georgian Lightened Mahogany Chest of Drawers
18th Century Georgian Lightened Mahogany Chest of Drawers

18th Century Georgian Lightened Mahogany Chest of Drawers

Located in Los Angeles, CA

features a bleached or light-oak finish, showcasing a prominent natural wood grain. Hardware:Bail Pulls

Category

Antique 18th Century English George III Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century French Serpentine Bleached Walnut Commode
19th Century French Serpentine Bleached Walnut Commode

19th Century French Serpentine Bleached Walnut Commode

Located in Gloucestershire, GB

Impressive 19th Century serpentine commode. This wonderful commode has recently been bleached to

Category

Antique 19th Century French Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood, Walnut

18th Century Dutch Baroque Bleached Oak Commode, Netherlands
18th Century Dutch Baroque Bleached Oak Commode, Netherlands

18th Century Dutch Baroque Bleached Oak Commode, Netherlands

Located in Stahnsdorf, DE

18th Century Dutch Baroque Bleached Oak Commode, Netherlands 18th-century Dutch Baroque commode

Category

Antique 1790s Dutch Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Oak

French Louis XVI Style Bleached Oak Commode
French Louis XVI Style Bleached Oak Commode

French Louis XVI Style Bleached Oak Commode

Located in South Salem, NY

This Bleached Oak Commode is a beautiful piece of furniture that exudes a classic and timeless

Category

Early 20th Century French Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Asian Inspired Bleached & Cerused Petite Walnut Commode
Asian Inspired Bleached & Cerused Petite Walnut Commode

Asian Inspired Bleached & Cerused Petite Walnut Commode

By Davis Cabinet Company

Located in Chicago, IL

Petite three drawer bleached and glazed walnut commode. Ming style legs with recessed border

Category

Vintage 1950s American Commodes and Chests of Drawers

French Bleached Oak Parquet Nightstand or End Table
French Bleached Oak Parquet Nightstand or End Table

French Bleached Oak Parquet Nightstand or End Table

Located in Atlanta, GA

Elegant French bleached oak parquet nightstand or end table, France, circa 1950s. It is a versatile

Category

Vintage 1950s French French Provincial Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Metal

Italian Bleached Walnut Neoclassical, Louis XVI,  Commode With Inlay
Italian Bleached Walnut Neoclassical, Louis XVI,  Commode With Inlay

Italian Bleached Walnut Neoclassical, Louis XVI, Commode With Inlay

Located in Viterbo, VT

Neoclassical chest of drawers hand-crafted in Italy in the late 1700s using walnut and decorated

Category

Antique Late 18th Century Italian Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Dr...

Materials

Walnut

Neoclassical Period French Bleached-Wood Commode w/Nice Hardware
Neoclassical Period French Bleached-Wood Commode w/Nice Hardware

Neoclassical Period French Bleached-Wood Commode w/Nice Hardware

Located in Atlanta, GA

A French bleached wood commode with nice hardware from the early 19th century. This antique chest

Category

Antique Early 19th Century French Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Dr...

Materials

Wood

18th Century French Serpentine Front Commode in Bleached Oak
18th Century French Serpentine Front Commode in Bleached Oak

18th Century French Serpentine Front Commode in Bleached Oak

Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire

Alsace. In bleached oak with three smooth running drawers. Circa 1780.

Category

Antique 18th Century French Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Oak

Antique Italian Two-Drawer Wood Cassettiera w/Lightly Bleached Finish
Antique Italian Two-Drawer Wood Cassettiera w/Lightly Bleached Finish

Antique Italian Two-Drawer Wood Cassettiera w/Lightly Bleached Finish

Located in Atlanta, GA

An Italian wood raised chest of two drawers from the 19th century. This antique cassettiera (chest

Category

Antique 19th Century Italian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

French 19th Century Louis Philippe Bleached Marble Top Commode
French 19th Century Louis Philippe Bleached Marble Top Commode

French 19th Century Louis Philippe Bleached Marble Top Commode

Located in Carmine, TX

This Louis Philippe commode features the classic understated elegance of the 19th-century French style. Crafted in solid wood with a warm natural finish, it showcases clean, straight...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Louis Philippe Commodes and Chests of D...

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Chest of Drawers by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
Chest of Drawers by Edward Wormley for Dunbar

Chest of Drawers by Edward Wormley for Dunbar

By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley

Located in Sagaponack, NY

An elegant and well proportioned eight (8) drawer bleached mahogany cabinet having distinctive

Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

Five Drawers Blond to Gold Mahogany High Chest Dresser
Five Drawers Blond to Gold Mahogany High Chest Dresser

Five Drawers Blond to Gold Mahogany High Chest Dresser

Located in Rockaway, NJ

Mid-Century Modern 5 drawers high chest dresser. Lacquered bleached mahogany. Near mint condition

Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

Grosfeld House Mid-Century Hollywood Regency Bleached Mahogany Highboy Dresser
Grosfeld House Mid-Century Hollywood Regency Bleached Mahogany Highboy Dresser

Grosfeld House Mid-Century Hollywood Regency Bleached Mahogany Highboy Dresser

By Grosfeld House

Located in South Bend, IN

A gorgeous mid-century Hollywood Regency sculpted bleached Mahogany highboy dresser or chest of

Category

Vintage 1940s American Hollywood Regency Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

Early 19th Century French Country Chest of Drawers, circa 1800, France
Early 19th Century French Country Chest of Drawers, circa 1800, France

Early 19th Century French Country Chest of Drawers, circa 1800, France

Located in Girona, Spain

DESCRIPTION: Early 19th Century French Country Chest of Drawers, circa 1800, France Bleached Walnut

Category

Antique Early 19th Century French Country Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Walnut

Art Deco Four-Drawer Bleached Mahogany Serpentine Front Commode
Art Deco Four-Drawer Bleached Mahogany Serpentine Front Commode

Art Deco Four-Drawer Bleached Mahogany Serpentine Front Commode

By Empire Furniture

Located in Chicago, IL

Bleached and toned mahogany four-drawer commode by the fine furniture maker, Empire Furniture

Category

Vintage 1930s American Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Mid-19th Century French Louis XVI Style Bleached Oak Neoclassical Commode
Mid-19th Century French Louis XVI Style Bleached Oak Neoclassical Commode

Mid-19th Century French Louis XVI Style Bleached Oak Neoclassical Commode

Located in Birmingham, AL

, circa 1850s, hand carved in solid oak and beautifully bleached or washed to reveal its natural, warm

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis XVI Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Oak

19th Century French Louis XVI Style Serpentine Front Bleached Oak Commode
19th Century French Louis XVI Style Serpentine Front Bleached Oak Commode

19th Century French Louis XVI Style Serpentine Front Bleached Oak Commode

Located in Birmingham, AL

character. The solid oak has been gently bleached to reveal its expressive grain and warm, nuanced tones

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis XVI Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Oak

Jay Spectre 2 Drawer Chest of Drawers, 1980s (Signed)
Jay Spectre 2 Drawer Chest of Drawers, 1980s (Signed)

Jay Spectre 2 Drawer Chest of Drawers, 1980s (Signed)

By Jay Spectre, Century Furniture

Located in Brooklyn, NY

This is one absolutely beautiful Jay Spectre for Century Furniture bleached oak 2 door chest of

Category

Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Stainless Steel

German Walnut Chest Of Drawers With Bookmatched Walnut Burl Book-Matched Veneer
German Walnut Chest Of Drawers With Bookmatched Walnut Burl Book-Matched Veneer

German Walnut Chest Of Drawers With Bookmatched Walnut Burl Book-Matched Veneer

Located in Viterbo, VT

Louis XVI chest of drawers hand-crafted in Germany in the late 1700 to early 1800s and decorated

Category

Antique Early 19th Century German Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Dr...

Materials

Walnut

Pair of Mid-Century Blond Four Drawer Chests with Round Brass Hardware
Pair of Mid-Century Blond Four Drawer Chests with Round Brass Hardware

Pair of Mid-Century Blond Four Drawer Chests with Round Brass Hardware

By Brown Saltman, Paul Frankl

Located in St. Louis, MO

Nice pair of Mid-Century Modern bleached mahogany four drawer bachelors chests with round brass

Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Bleached Spanish Pine Cabinet with drawers and Door, circa 1840-60
Bleached Spanish Pine Cabinet with drawers and Door, circa 1840-60

Bleached Spanish Pine Cabinet with drawers and Door, circa 1840-60

Located in Miami, FL

Antique Spanish country pine cabinet or sideboard . The original brown and bleached finish reveals

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Spanish Country Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Pine

Pair George Nelson Herman Miller 5-Drawer Chests + Door Primavera Basic Series
Pair George Nelson Herman Miller 5-Drawer Chests + Door Primavera Basic Series

Pair George Nelson Herman Miller 5-Drawer Chests + Door Primavera Basic Series

By George Nelson, Herman Miller

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Rare pair of cabinets or chests made by Herman Miller in the early 1950s and designed by American

Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood, Mahogany

18th Century French Louis XVI Period Bleached Walnut and Burl Walnut Commode
18th Century French Louis XVI Period Bleached Walnut and Burl Walnut Commode

18th Century French Louis XVI Period Bleached Walnut and Burl Walnut Commode

Located in Birmingham, AL

exceptional craftsmanship, reflected in this exquisite neoclassical chest. Featuring a beautifully bleached or

Category

Antique Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Walnut

Neoclassic French Flute-Carved Commode, Bleached w/Grey Top and Accent Trim
Neoclassic French Flute-Carved Commode, Bleached w/Grey Top and Accent Trim

Neoclassic French Flute-Carved Commode, Bleached w/Grey Top and Accent Trim

Located in Atlanta, GA

A French Neoclassic carved and painted wood commode from the 19th century. This antique chest from

Category

Antique 19th Century French Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

French Carved-Wood Chest w/Scalloped Skirt & Cabriole Legs
French Carved-Wood Chest w/Scalloped Skirt & Cabriole Legs

French Carved-Wood Chest w/Scalloped Skirt & Cabriole Legs

Located in Atlanta, GA

A French carved and bleached wood chest of three drawers. This vintage commode from France features

Category

20th Century French Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

1930s Italian Bombé Chest of Drawers, Olive wood & Walnut Marquetry
1930s Italian Bombé Chest of Drawers, Olive wood & Walnut Marquetry

1930s Italian Bombé Chest of Drawers, Olive wood & Walnut Marquetry

Located in London, GB

This is a rare 1930s Italian Baroque style bombé chest of drawers with burl olive wood and burl

Category

Vintage 1930s Italian Rococo Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Olive, Walnut

Italian 19th C. Raised Two-Drawer Chest w/Brass Lion Head Pulls
Italian 19th C. Raised Two-Drawer Chest w/Brass Lion Head Pulls

Italian 19th C. Raised Two-Drawer Chest w/Brass Lion Head Pulls

Located in Atlanta, GA

An Italian bleached and painted wood raised chest of two drawers from the 19th century. This

Category

Antique 19th Century Italian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Vintage Bleached Biedermeier Chest of Drawers
Vintage Bleached Biedermeier Chest of Drawers

Vintage Bleached Biedermeier Chest of Drawers

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

This exceptional 19th-century Biedermeier-style chest of drawers captures the timeless elegance of

Category

Antique 19th Century German Biedermeier Dressers

Materials

Pine

Vintage Bleached Biedermeier Chest of Drawers
Vintage Bleached Biedermeier Chest of Drawers

Vintage Bleached Biedermeier Chest of Drawers

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

This striking Biedermeier-style chest of drawers captures the timeless elegance of 19th-century

Category

Antique 19th Century German Biedermeier Dressers

Materials

Wood

17th Century Two-Toned French Walnut Wood Gothic Trunk
17th Century Two-Toned French Walnut Wood Gothic Trunk

17th Century Two-Toned French Walnut Wood Gothic Trunk

Located in Dallas, TX

Hand-carved in the 1600s, this Gothic-style French trunk has a highly unique two-tone appearance. A partial stripping of the walnut wood has accentuated the elaborate arcading and bl...

Category

Antique 17th Century French Gothic Blanket Chests

Materials

Metal, Iron

Italian Serpentine Front Commode
Italian Serpentine Front Commode

Italian Serpentine Front Commode

Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire

Pretty 18th century Italian serpentine front two drawer bleached oak commode. 1790. Internal

Category

Antique 18th Century Italian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Oak

Bleached Antique 19th Century Louis Philipe Chest
Bleached Antique 19th Century Louis Philipe Chest

Bleached Antique 19th Century Louis Philipe Chest

Located in Wichita, KS

beautiful antique Louis Phillip chest from the 19th century that has been recently bleached

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Buffets

Materials

Metal

French Painted Commode
French Painted Commode

French Painted Commode

Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire

Late 19th century French bleached and painted walnut commode. 1890. Internal reference: C Code

Category

Antique 19th Century French Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Walnut

French Commode w/Nice Hardware & Carved Accent Trimmings
French Commode w/Nice Hardware & Carved Accent Trimmings

French Commode w/Nice Hardware & Carved Accent Trimmings

Located in Atlanta, GA

A French carved and bleached oak commode from the 19th century. This antique chest from France has

Category

Antique 19th Century French Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Oak

18th Century Austrian Commode
18th Century Austrian Commode

18th Century Austrian Commode

Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire

Very unusual 18th C Austrian bleached oak commode. 1780. Reference: 8171 Dimensions 47.5 inches

Category

Antique 18th Century Austrian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Oak

French Canadian Scrubbed Pine Commode, Circa 1800
French Canadian Scrubbed Pine Commode, Circa 1800

French Canadian Scrubbed Pine Commode, Circa 1800

Located in Doylestown, PA

A rare early 19th century French Canadian 3-drawer commode in scrubbed and bleached pine with iron

Category

Antique Early 19th Century Canadian French Provincial Commodes and Chest...

Materials

Pine

19th Century Gustavian Commode
19th Century Gustavian Commode

19th Century Gustavian Commode

Located in Belmont, MA

Exquisite Gustavian commode, bleached mahogany veneer with brass decorations. Beautifully

Category

Antique 1820s Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

French Serpentine Rare Two Drawer Commode
French Serpentine Rare Two Drawer Commode

French Serpentine Rare Two Drawer Commode

Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire

A French 19th Century decoratively carved serpentine Walnut two drawer bleached commode with

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Country Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Walnut

Exquisite French 18th Century Oak Commode
Exquisite French 18th Century Oak Commode

Exquisite French 18th Century Oak Commode

Located in Charleston, SC

An exquisite French Louis XV period bleached oak commode with richly Liege carved drawer fronts

Category

Antique 18th Century French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Bronze

Dutch Oak Bombe Shape Commode
Dutch Oak Bombe Shape Commode

Dutch Oak Bombe Shape Commode

Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire

Early 19th C Dutch bleached and limed oak bombe shaped commode.1820. Dimensions 36.5 inches (93

Category

Antique Early 19th Century Dutch Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Oak

19th Century French Louis XVI Commode Circa 1790
19th Century French Louis XVI Commode Circa 1790

19th Century French Louis XVI Commode Circa 1790

Located in Atlanta, GA

This elegant 19th century French Louis XVI commode, crafted in bleached oak, is a timeless

Category

Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Circa 1750 French Crossbow Front Commode in Lightly Scrubbed Walnut
Circa 1750 French Crossbow Front Commode in Lightly Scrubbed Walnut

Circa 1750 French Crossbow Front Commode in Lightly Scrubbed Walnut

Located in Dallas, TX

chest of drawers, which is known in France as arbalete, or crossbow front. Elaborate bronze dore

Category

Antique Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Metal, Bronze

Merton Gershun Bali Hi Dresser by American of Martinsville, ca. 1950’s
Merton Gershun Bali Hi Dresser by American of Martinsville, ca. 1950’s

Merton Gershun Bali Hi Dresser by American of Martinsville, ca. 1950’s

By American of Martinsville, Merton Gershun

Located in New York, NY

Chic and stylish 5 drawer dresser in bleached mahogany with decorative faux bamboo front. The chest

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century Dutch Commode
19th Century Dutch Commode

19th Century Dutch Commode

Located in Charleston, SC

Charming 19th century very carved bombe front Dutch commode in bleached oak. With original bronze

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Dutch Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Bronze

A Tall Antique Swedish 4-Drawer Commode in Scraped Pine, Circa 1880
A Tall Antique Swedish 4-Drawer Commode in Scraped Pine, Circa 1880

A Tall Antique Swedish 4-Drawer Commode in Scraped Pine, Circa 1880

Located in Dallas, TX

More information coming soon… With four tiers of drawers, this Swedish commode is quite tall, standing almost four feet. Hand-carved circa 1880, the original finish of the pine woo...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Metal, Brass

Mengel Furniture Raymond Loewy Style Frosted Oak Nightstand with Drawer & Shelf
Mengel Furniture Raymond Loewy Style Frosted Oak Nightstand with Drawer & Shelf

Mengel Furniture Raymond Loewy Style Frosted Oak Nightstand with Drawer & Shelf

By Raymond Loewy, Mengel Furniture Co.

Located in Bainbridge, NY

Mengel Furniture Art Deco Line Blonde Oak Bedside Table with short legs. Featuring a rectangular Blonde Oak form with top drawer, wood and brass knob with Mengel M, cubbies, and adju...

Category

Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Oak

Antique French Burl Elmwood Consulat Style Commode, Circa 1880
Antique French Burl Elmwood Consulat Style Commode, Circa 1880

Antique French Burl Elmwood Consulat Style Commode, Circa 1880

Located in Dallas, TX

The Consulat style is a subset of the Directoire period, coinciding with the initial consolidation of power by Napoleon Bonaparte (roughly 1799-1804). Both historically and culturall...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Directoire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Metal

Italian Bleached Walnut Nightstand / Chest of Drawers, 18th Century
Italian Bleached Walnut Nightstand / Chest of Drawers, 18th Century

Italian Bleached Walnut Nightstand / Chest of Drawers, 18th Century

Located in Carmine, TX

chest has beautiful proportions making it perfect for either a nightstand, a side table next to a couch

Category

Antique Late 18th Century Italian Baroque Night Stands

Materials

Walnut

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Bleach Chest For Sale on 1stDibs

At 1stDibs, there are many versions of the ideal bleach chest for your home. Each bleach chest for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using wood, oak and metal. Your living room may not be complete without a bleach chest — find older editions for sale from the 18th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 20th Century. A bleach chest is a generally popular piece of furniture, but those created in Mid-Century Modern, Louis XVI and Louis XV styles are sought with frequency. Paul McCobb, Calvin and T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings each produced at least one beautiful bleach chest that is worth considering.

How Much is a Bleach Chest?

A bleach chest can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price 1stDibs is $4,595, while the lowest priced sells for $560 and the highest can go for as much as $25,000.

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.

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