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Bombe Chest Black

Louis XV Three-Drawer Black Walnut Bombe-Form Chest
Located in San Francisco, CA
The serpentine top above a bombe-form body fitted with three drawers adorned with bold bronze
Category

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

Materials

Walnut

Louis XV Three-Drawer Black Walnut Bombe-Form Chest
Louis XV Three-Drawer Black Walnut Bombe-Form Chest
$22,400 Sale Price
20% Off
H 33.5 in W 48.5 in D 25.25 in
Vintage Regency Marble Top Marquetry Bombe Chest
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning vintage Marquetry Bombe chest. Beautiful inlay detail and black marble top. A second
Category

Mid-20th Century North American Regency Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Belgian Black Marble

Vintage Regency Marble Top Marquetry Bombe Chest
Vintage Regency Marble Top Marquetry Bombe Chest
$1,950
H 30.25 in W 33.75 in D 16 in
Continental Painted Bombe-Form Chest of Drawers
Located in Stamford, CT
An early period Continental brick and faux-marble painted pine bombe-form commode or chest of
Category

Antique Early 19th Century European Rococo Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Continental Painted Bombe-Form Chest of Drawers
Continental Painted Bombe-Form Chest of Drawers
$9,800
H 35.5 in W 21.2 in D 39 in
Fine Paint Decorated Marble Top Bombe Chest
Located in Bridgeport, CT
An Italianate design bombe chest in a speckled finish in black and red on pale tan. With carved
Category

20th Century Rococo Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble, Brass

Fine Paint Decorated Marble Top Bombe Chest
Fine Paint Decorated Marble Top Bombe Chest
$2,800
H 33.5 in W 47.5 in D 21 in
Exceptional Bombé Marquetry Chest With Belgian Marble Top
Located in Bridgeport, CT
An extravagant and large three drawer chest with extensive floral marquetry decoration, heavy
Category

20th Century European Rococo Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Belgian Black Marble, Bronze

Antique French Chinoiserie Black Lacquer Bombe Commode
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique French Chinoiserie Black Lacquer Bombe Commode showcases the French adaptation of what was
Category

Mid-20th Century French Chinoiserie Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble, Brass

Louis XV Style Bombé Commode Wrapped in Olive Green Faux Snakeskin
By Maitland Smith
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Stylish Louis XV style Bombé commode or console that is wrapped in olive green faux snakeskin
Category

Late 20th Century American Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Fabric

Louis XV Style Bombé Commode Wrapped in Olive Green Faux Snakeskin
Louis XV Style Bombé Commode Wrapped in Olive Green Faux Snakeskin
$1,440 Sale Price
50% Off
H 32.5 in W 32 in D 18 in
French Louis XV Black Lacquer Marble-Top Bombe Commode Chest, 19th Century
Located in Lisbon, PT
This bombe black lacquer refinish walnut commode chest was designed in the classic French Louis XV
Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XV Credenzas

Materials

Marble, Brass, Bronze

French Louis XV Black Lacquer Marble-Top Bombe Commode Chest, 19th Century
French Louis XV Black Lacquer Marble-Top Bombe Commode Chest, 19th Century
$12,593 Sale Price
40% Off
H 36.23 in W 47.25 in D 22.05 in

Recent Sales

Black Lacquer Bombé Chest
Located in Stamford, CT
Beautiful black lacquered bombe chest with brass pulls. Interiors lined with fleur-de-lis paper.
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Black Lacquer Bombé Chest
Black Lacquer Bombé Chest
H 29 in W 33 in D 14.5 in
SATURDAY SALE Extravagant Lacquered Bombe Chest
Located in New Orleans, LA
Impressively lacquered four-drawer bombe chest with conforming black marble plateau and satin brass
Category

Late 20th Century American Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble

Large Antique French Bombe Chest Drawers, Serpentine, Marble Top
Located in Lingfield, West Sussex

Here we have a lovely french chest of drawers with Marble top. Very unusual decoration, depicting
Category

Antique 19th Century French Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Pair of French Boulle Style Inlay Bombe Commodes Chests Drawers
Located in Potters Bar, Herts
. Stunning pair of French Boulle style commodes or chests of drawers. Chests are of bombe form and hence
Category

1990s Louis XVI Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Rare and Fine Antique Anglo/Dutch Diminutive Bombe Chest, circa 1770
Located in Houston, TX
Antique Anglo/Dutch 18th century burl walnut diminutive bombe chest, with a rectangular top having
Category

Antique Late 18th Century Dutch End Tables

Black Lacquer Bombé Chest
Located in Stamford, CT
Beautiful black lacquered bombe chest with brass pulls. Interiors lined with fleur-de-lis paper.
Category

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

Materials

Wood

Black Lacquer Bombé Chest
Black Lacquer Bombé Chest
H 29 in W 33 in D 14.5 in
Bombé Commode Black Lacquer
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
Striking Dutch black lacquer bombé commode in the Orientalist style, incorporating 18th century
Category

Antique Late 18th Century Dutch Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Bombé Commode Black Lacquer
Bombé Commode Black Lacquer
H 34 in W 46 in D 18 in
Vintage Regency Hand Painted Safari Bombe Chest
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Fantastic vintage Regency Bombe chest of drawers. Beautiful hand painted safari scenes. Wide open
Category

Late 20th Century North American Regency Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Paint

Lovely Black Lacquered French Bombe Chest of Drawers with Silver Fittings
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely French black lacquered Bombe chest of drawers with
Category

20th Century French French Provincial Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Early 20th Century Birch Root Swedish Bombe Chest of Drawers
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Early 20th century birch root Swedish bombe chest of drawers Beautiful three-drawer chest of
Category

Vintage 1920s Swedish Biedermeier Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Birch

Matte-Black Louis XVI Bombe Commode
By Regency
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Three-drawer, matte-black Louis XVI bombe commode with bronze findings on draw and feet.
Category

Early 20th Century European Louis XVI Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Bronze

Matte-Black Louis XVI Bombe Commode
Matte-Black Louis XVI Bombe Commode
H 32.75 in W 40.5 in L 32.75 in
Louis XV Black Lacquered Bombe Commode
Located in Westwood, NJ
A Louis XV style black lacquered marble-topped bombe commode with ormolu mounts and chinoiserie
Category

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

19th Century Louis XV Painted Bombe Chest with Original Hardware
Located in New Orleans, LA
Wooden Carved and Painted Black Bombe Chest with Original Hardware.
Category

Antique 19th Century French Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

French Chinoiserie or Japanned Louis XV Bombe Commode Chest from Paris.
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A smaller French black lacquer ‘chinoiserie’ commode, the two drawers and sides with painted
Category

Vintage 1930s French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Lacquer

Ebonized Bombe Commode
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
A very shapely 18th century French ebonized bombe commode.
Category

Antique 18th Century French Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Ebonized Bombe Commode
Ebonized Bombe Commode
H 34.26 in W 43.12 in D 25.2 in
Bombe Italian Commode
Located in Pomona, CA
Tuscany chest or commode, circa 1940s. Two small drawers on top two large bottom drawers with brass
Category

Vintage 1940s Italian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Bombe Italian Commode
Bombe Italian Commode
H 33.75 in W 45 in D 18.5 in
Pair of Auffray Bombe Commodes
By Auffray Furniture
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Pair of Auffray 2-drawer bombe commodes.
Category

20th Century American Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Pair of Auffray Bombe Commodes
Pair of Auffray Bombe Commodes
H 33 in W 20 in D 48 in
Black Distressed Bombe Commode with Bronze Mounts and Pull-Out Tray Top
Located in Manhasset, NY
Black distressed bombe commode or nightstand with bronze mounts and pull-out tray top. In this
Category

Mid-20th Century Hollywood Regency Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Marquetry and Bone Inlaid Walnut Bombe' Commode
Located in Nashville, TN
diamond. Some ebonized trim. Probably Austria due to the pronounced Rococo bombe form. A Grand Tour
Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Black Forest Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Black Lacquer White Marble Top French Louis XV Style Bombe Commode Dresser
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Beautiful painted ebonized black laqcuer case and nice white marble top. The piece measures 40 wide
Category

Vintage 1950s French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Walnut

Louis XV Style Bombe Marble-Top Ebonized Sideboard Dresser
Located in Manhasset, NY
A bombe marble-top ebonized sideboard dresser. This Louis XV style bombe chest dresser can be used
Category

Vintage 1940s American Hollywood Regency Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Chest
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Bombe chest in black
Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Trunks and Luggage

Chest
Chest
H 31 in W 39 in D 21 in
French Bombe Chest or Commode in Black Lacquer
Located in BENSENVILLE, IL
Reproduction French bombe chest or commode, finished in black lacquer that was imported from
Category

Early 2000s Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Ebonized Chinoiserie Paint Decorated Black Bombe Commode Chest
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Ebonized chinoiserie paint decorated black bombe commode chest. Item features a shapely bombe form
Category

Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Chic French Chinoiserie Bombe Chest Louis XV Style
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Beautiful Louis XV style chinoiserie Bombe chest. The black lacquered background with hand painted
Category

Vintage 1950s European Chinoiserie Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble

Black Lacquered French Bombe Commode with Marble Top
Located in Locust Valley, NY
Black lacquered French bombe shape commode with brass details to drawers and feet and a coral tone
Category

Early 20th Century Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble

Ebonized Chinoiserie Bombe Commode
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Ebonized chinoiserie 2-drawer bombe commode with a faux marble top.
Category

20th Century Chinoiserie Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Ebonized Chinoiserie Bombe Commode
Ebonized Chinoiserie Bombe Commode
H 29.5 in W 31.5 in D 16 in
Black Distressed Bombe Commode with Bronze Mounts and Pull-Out Tray Top
Located in Manhasset, NY
Black distressed bombe commode or nightstand with bronze mounts and pull-out tray top. In this
Category

Mid-20th Century Hollywood Regency Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Late 18th Century Bombe Commode
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Late 18th century bombe commode circa 1790.
Category

Antique Late 18th Century Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Late 18th Century Bombe Commode
Late 18th Century Bombe Commode
H 33.08 in W 46.46 in D 25.2 in
Pair of Bombe Maison Jansen Nightstand or Commodes
By Maison Jansen
Located in Manhasset, NY
pair of double drawer bombe marble top commodes each having a Louis XV style leg supporting an upper
Category

Vintage 1950s French Hollywood Regency Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Black Lacquered Bombe Chests or Side Tables by John Widdicomb
By John Widdicomb
Located in Bedford Hills, NY
Black lacquer bombe chest side tables or night stands by John Widdicomb furniture company, the
Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Side Tables

Materials

Brass

Pair of Low Black Bombe Form Chests
Located in Stamford, CT
Pair of Low Black Bombe Form Chests with black lacquer and brass hardware
Category

20th Century American Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Italian Black Lacquer Ormolu Marble Top Bombe Chest
Located in Charlotte, NC
A late 20th century reproduction of an Italian style bombe chest, unbranded. Hardwood with black
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Other Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Bombe Chest by Antoine Schapira
Located in New York, NY
Bombe chest in black palm by studio maker Antoine Schapira. Classical bombe styling with
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Bombe Chest by Antoine Schapira
Bombe Chest by Antoine Schapira
H 30 in W 44 in D 22 in
Unusual Unfinished Pine Bombe' Chest with Granite Top
Located in US
Unfinished Pine Bombe' Three Drawer Chest With New Black Granite Top
Category

20th Century French Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Granite

Louis XV style black lacquer Japanned bombe commode
Located in Miami, FL
Louis XV style black lacquer Japanned bombe commode, French late 19 century, having a shaped
Category

Antique 19th Century Commodes and Chests of Drawers

French Louis XV Style Black Painted Bombé Commode from the Late 1800s
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Louis XV style bombé three-drawer commode from the late 19th century, repainted in black
Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Antique Style French, Louis XVI, Ebonized Petite Bombe Commode
Located in Longdon, Tewkesbury
A beautiful antique style contemporary design French, Louis XVI, ebonized petite bombe commode
Category

20th Century Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Louis XV Ormolu Mounted Kingwood Marquetry Bombe Commode
Located in London, GB
A fine quality early 18th century French marquetry commode, veneered in kingwood. The serpentine shaped Gris Saint-Anne marble top above two short drawers and two long drawers. The s...
Category

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

Materials

Belgian Black Marble, Ormolu

French Louis XV Ebonised and Gilt Bronze Bombe Commode, circa 1740
Located in London, GB
An elegant and well proportioned French early Louis XV ebonised Bombe commode with exuberant gilt
Category

Antique 18th Century and Earlier French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of ...

Pair of Italian Black Bombe Chests - Bedsides
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Attractive Italian black bombe bedside chests with brass rococo hardware and gilt details. The
Category

20th Century Italian Night Stands

Materials

Brass

Pair Of Bombe Chests By Bert England For Widdicomb c. 1960
By Bert England
Located in New York, NY
Pair of bombe chests, in a rich painted tortoise finish with two drawers and brass hardware and
Category

Vintage 1960s American Side Tables

Materials

Brass

Late 20th Century Black Lacquer Bombe´ Commode
Located in Kilmarnock, VA
A late 20th C. two drawer black lacquer Bombé commode with gilt brass pulls and a rouge marble top.
Category

Vintage 1980s American Louis XVI Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Lacquer

French Louis XV Style Chinoiserie Commode or Bombe Chest of Drawer
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Offered is this very Fine a French Louis XV style three drawers bombe or commode with marble top
Category

Early 20th Century French Chinoiserie Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

18th Century French Walnut Bombe Commode with Brass Hardware
Located in Atlanta, GA
18th century French walnut bombe commode with incredible brass pulls Four drawers Beautiful lines.
Category

Antique 18th Century French Régence Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

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Maitland Smith Two Drawer Mahogany Server Console
By Maitland Smith
Located in Toledo, OH
Maitland Smith two drawer mahogany server console table. Inlay top and finished back and sides. Brass hardware and toe caps on tapered legs. Very nice condition. Dimensions: 22.5" de...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary North American Modern Console Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Maitland Smith Two Drawer Mahogany Server Console
Maitland Smith Two Drawer Mahogany Server Console
$1,900
H 32 in W 59.5 in D 22.5 in
Antique 18th Century Georgian George III Mahogany Tallboy Chest on Chest, 1760
Located in Portland, OR
A fine quality George III flame mahogany chest on chest/tallboy, circa 1760. This elegant Georgian mahogany chest on chest is of the finest quality and is made from solid Cuban flame...
Category

Antique 1760s English George III Dressers

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century Swedish Painted Hall Bench, Trundle Bed
Located in Dallas, TX
19th century Swedish painted hall bench ~ trundle bed is the perfect selection for the active family! By day, a handsome, country style hall bench ~ by night, pullout / pull-out the ...
Category

Antique 1880s Swedish Gustavian Benches

Materials

Wood

Beautifully Inlaid French Bronze Mounted Marble Top Bombe Commode
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This French bombe commode is a stunning example of 19th-century craftsmanship, richly decorated with intricate floral marquetry and mounted with gilt-bronze ormolu. The commode featu...
Category

Vintage 1920s French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Beautifully Inlaid French Bronze Mounted Marble Top Bombe Commode
Beautifully Inlaid French Bronze Mounted Marble Top Bombe Commode
$1,996 Sale Price
20% Off
H 36.5 in W 46.25 in D 20.25 in
Antique Walnut Louis XV Style Full Size Bed with Metal Rails
Located in Old Town Orange, CA
Antique Walnut Carved Full size French bed Headboard, footboard with metal rails. (original rails not available) Overall size: 58”w x 81”d x 61”h Footboard: 39”h. Inside dimensions...
Category

Antique 19th Century French Louis XV Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Walnut

Antique Walnut Louis XV Style Full Size Bed with Metal Rails
Antique Walnut Louis XV Style Full Size Bed with Metal Rails
$2,513 Sale Price
30% Off
H 61 in W 58 in D 81 in
Fine Painted Pair French Louis XV Style Marble Top Bronze Mounted Nightstands
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This exquisite pair of French Louis XV style nightstands showcases timeless European craftsmanship, making them an elegant addition to any refined interior. Each piece features a bea...
Category

Vintage 1950s North American Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Carrara Marble, Bronze

Fine Painted Pair French Louis XV Style Marble Top Bronze Mounted Nightstands
Fine Painted Pair French Louis XV Style Marble Top Bronze Mounted Nightstands
$3,000 Sale Price / set
20% Off
H 30 in W 30.75 in D 15.75 in
Late 18th Century Rare, Small Dutch Parquetry Commode
Located in Troy, NY
Rare, petite, decorative commode with trompe l'oeil inlay all around, simulating cubes, four drawers, on bun feet.
Category

Antique 18th Century Dutch Baroque Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Walnut, Fruitwood

Late 18th Century Rare, Small Dutch Parquetry Commode
Late 18th Century Rare, Small Dutch Parquetry Commode
$14,500
H 26.5 in W 24.5 in D 16.5 in
Rare Antique French Tapestry "Entre Fenetres", circa 1880
Located in New York, NY
Rare Antique French Aubusson Tapestry "Entre Fenetres" Wool & Silk Gold 4'3" x 6'5" (122cm x 196cm) circa 1880 "This is an Rare Antique French Wool & Silk Aubusson Tapestry "Entre ...
Category

Antique 1880s French Baroque Tapestries

Materials

Wool

18th Century French Chest of Drawers
Located in High Point, NC
18th century French chest of drawers made from oak and walnut. The top is made from oak and has a serpentine and beveled edge around the top, following down to beautifully hand pane...
Category

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

Materials

Oak, Walnut

18th Century French Chest of Drawers
18th Century French Chest of Drawers
$4,975
H 33.13 in W 38.5 in D 22 in
Exquisite 19th Century French Daybed
Located in Stockbridge, GA
Exquisite 19th century French daybed, Louis XV style. As the stairways of houses and apartments in France are narrow, they build furniture with the option of disassembling if needed...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XV Daybeds

Materials

Fabric, Walnut

Exquisite 19th Century French Daybed
Exquisite 19th Century French Daybed
$14,500
H 43 in W 78.5 in D 55.5 in
Kindel Furniture Georgian Mahogany Bow Front Highboy Dresser, circa 1960s
By Kindel Furniture
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Georgian or Chippendale style seven-drawer highboy dresser or chest of drawers By Kindel Furniture USA, circa 1960s Mahogany, with original brass hardware. Mea...
Category

Vintage 1960s American Georgian Dressers

Materials

Brass

18th Century French White Carrara Marble Fountain Head
Located in Atlanta, GA
A beautifully carved white Carrara marble wall fountain head from 18th Century France with a fluted top, rounded body, with carved leaf border detail, circular spout and splayed base.
Category

Antique 18th Century French Fountains

Materials

Carrara Marble

Palatial Early 20th Century Gilt Bronze Mounted Parquetry Bureau-François Linke
By François Linke
Located in Long Island City, NY
A Very Special and Palatial Early 20th Century Louis XV Style Gilt Bronze Mounted Mahogany and Bois Satine Parquetry Bureau a Cylindre By François Linke François Linke – Index Numbe...
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Early 20th Century French Belle Époque Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

19th Century Swedish Corner Cupboard
Located in Charleston, SC
19th century Swedish two-part bowfronted 4 door corner cupboard with reeded panels. Dry scraped from most recent painted surface.
Category

Antique 19th Century Swedish Corner Cupboards

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Wood, Pine, Paint

19th Century Swedish Corner Cupboard
19th Century Swedish Corner Cupboard
$6,200
H 73 in W 40 in D 24 in
Antique French Louis XV Vanity Table with Gilt Bronze Mounts/Porcelain Cameos
Located in Houston, TX
Exceptional French vanity table with gilt bronze mounts and inlaid porcelain plates in the Sevres style having a ground of celeste blue. Painted with a floral motif. The mirrored ba...
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Antique 1890s French Louis XVI Vanities

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Walnut

18th Century Hand-Painted Venetian Style Harlequin Inspired Brenta Nightstand
By Porte Italia
Located in Ronchi dei Legionari, IT
From our hand-painted Furniture Collection, we are pleased to introduce you to our Brenta Nightstand - Cabinet. This Classic, Venetian style Brenta nightstand wears an unusual vest...
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Bombe Chest Black For Sale on 1stDibs

Choose from an assortment of styles, material and more with respect to the bombe chest black you’re looking for at 1stDibs. A bombe chest black — often made from wood, metal and lacquer — can elevate any home. There are many kinds of the bombe chest black you’re looking for, from those produced as long ago as the 18th Century to those made as recently as the 21st Century. A bombe chest black is a generally popular piece of furniture, but those created in Louis XV, Hollywood Regency and Louis XVI styles are sought with frequency. A well-made bombe chest black has long been a part of the offerings for many furniture designers and manufacturers, but those produced by Auffray Furniture, John Widdicomb and Maison Jansen are consistently popular.

How Much is a Bombe Chest Black?

Prices for a bombe chest black can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, they begin at $673 and can go as high as $21,022, while the average can fetch as much as $3,550.

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.

Questions About Bombe Chest Black
  • 1stDibs ExpertMay 22, 2019

    A bombe chest is a set of drawers that bulges outward in the front and on the sides. The style, whose name comes from French word bombé, meaning “curved,” originated in  17th-century France.

  • 1stDibs ExpertMay 23, 2019

    A bombe chest cost depends on its size, age, designer, location, condition and other factors. If the piece is in relatively good condition, it may cost anywhere between $300 and $3,000.

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