Small English Bow Front Serpentine Chest or Commode of Mahogany
Located in Austin, TX
A fine English small chest of drawers or commode of patinated flame mahogany, featuring a moulded serpentine top over a frieze of four drawers, canted corners with a reeded design fr...
Metal, Brass
Italian Bow Front Commode
Located in Pomona, CA
An Italian bow front Parquetry Commode / Chest of 2 large drawers.
Wood
English Bow Front Small Chest of Burr Walnut with Three Drawers
Located in Austin, TX
A handsome English bow-fronted small chest of burr or burled walnut from the Edwardian era, featuring a moulded top over a frieze of three equally sized beaded drawers, each with ori...
Metal, Brass
English Bow Front Small Chest of Burr Walnut with Four Drawers
Located in Austin, TX
A handsome English bow-fronted small chest of burr or burled walnut from the Edwardian era, featuring a moulded top over a frieze of four graduating beaded drawers, each with origina...
Metal, Brass
$4,119
French Bow Front Commode
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
19th century French painted three drawer bow front beech commode with a faux marble top. 1840. Code: 8932 Dimensions: W: 46.5" (118.1 cm) H: 27" (68.6 cm) D: 22" (55.9 cm)
Beech
George III 18th Century Bowfront Mahogany Chest Of Drawers
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A good quality and practical georgian mahogany bow front chest of drawers which is slightly better quality than many which can be found from a similar period, whilst being significan...
Mahogany
South German Bow-Front Commode
Located in Dallas, TX
Fine early 19th century South German walnut bow-front commode. South German commodes—especially from Bavaria, Franconia, and Württemberg—are known for their curved façades, walnut ve...
Wood
Antique French Louis XVI Style Mahogany Bow Front Bombe Buffet Commode Chest
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Louis XVI Style Mahogany Bow Front Bombe Demilune Commode Buffet Chest. Item features a lower height, shapely demilune form, remarkable cast bronze ormolu and feet, 2 ...
Bronze
A Very Fine Pair of Large 19th Century Bow Fronted Bedside Chests
Located in Dublin, IE
A very fine pair of 19th Century mahogany bow fronted bedside chests of grand proportions, exceptional quality and fabulously hand carved with gorgeously rich patination and grain.
Brass
Swedish Gustavian Period Bow-front Commode
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
Two spacious drawers occupy the deep case that is entirely washed in a soft gray typical of the Scandinavian taste for light palettes that aim to brighten rooms in dark winters, war...
Brass
SUBLIME BOW FRONTED BAXTER & LEE SATIN BIRCH CHEST OF DRAWERS & SiDE TABLES SET
By Baxter Furniture
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this truly sublime suite of hand made in England Baxter & Lee Satin Birch Bow Fronted chest of drawers with ...
Birch, Oak
SUBLIME BOW FRONTED BAXTER & LEE SATIN BiRCH CHEST OF DRAWERS SIDEBOARD PART SET
By Baxter Furniture
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this truly sublime hand made in England Baxter & Lee Satin Birch Bow Fronted chest of drawers sideboard whic...
Birch
English Early 19th Century Bow-Front Three-Drawer Chest of Pale Yellow Color
Located in Atlanta, GA
An English early 19th century bow-front three-drawer chest painted in a pale yellow color.
Wood
PAIR OF ANTiQUE ESTATE MADE BOW FRONTED 168.5CM WALNUT TALLBOY CHEST OF DRAWERS
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this sublime pair of exquisite quality extra large Bow Fronted Walnut Tallboy Chests of Drawers that were es...
Walnut
$1,160Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Renaissance Revival Walnut Marble Dresser Carved Pulls c1890
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique Renaissance Revival dresser offers walnut construction with mirror having carved foliate cartouche over frame with candle stands and surmounting bow front chest of drawers...
Marble
$2,500Sale Price / set|26% Off
French 19th Century Bow-Fronted Burl Walnut Chest of Drawers with a Marble Top
Located in Santa Monica, CA
French 19th century bow-fronted burl walnut chest of drawers with a marble top and original hardware.
Walnut, Burl
$7,029 / item
George III Bow Front Bedside Dresser
Located in Westwood, NJ
Classic Georgian style mahogany and crossbanded small chest of drawers ideal as a bedside chest, with oak secondary woods, light antique distress on the two short and three graduated...
Mahogany
Louis XIV Period Bow-Front Walnut Commode
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
A handsome Louis XIV period walnut commode with a gentle bow front, arranged with two short drawers over two long drawers. Well balanced in proportion and rich in colour, it retains ...
Walnut
18th Century French Provençal Bow Front Commode
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
A lovely 18th Century French Provençal bow front commode. Made from a charming mix of walnut, elm and cherry. With two short drawers over two long ones. A rich colour and patina alo...
Cherry, Elm, Walnut
Sheraton Revival Side Cabinet Mahogany 1890 Bow Front
Located in Potters Bar, GB
You are viewing an elegant Sheraton Revival side cabinet In mahogany with satinwood inlay Circa 1890 and of bow front form Bought from a private house sale in London's Belsize Park W...
Mahogany
$3,840Sale Price|20% Off
Regence Style Palisander Parquetry Inlaid Bow Front Commode
Located in Nashville, TN
Perfect bed size chest. The front façade in a shallow bow typical of Regence style with rounded front corners .
Wood, Palisander
A Maitland Smith ebonized five drawer bow front commode.
By Maitland Smith
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A single Maitland Smith ebonized five drawer bow front commode having flame decoration and leather wrapped trim. Each drawer is adorned with lion face drawer pulls.
Wood
Antique Regency Bow Front Dresser, Wood & Brass, Circa 1850s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
19th Century Regency Style four drawer bow front dresser with brass pulls & keyholes.
Brass
$2,587Sale Price|25% Off
19th Century Italian Walnut and Inlaid Bow Front Commode
Located in Dallas, TX
Italian furniture of the 19th century often possesses a special elegance, combining graceful form with a deep appreciation for beautiful woods and finely judged ornament. This handso...
Bronze
20th Century French Louis XVI Style Bow Fronted Painted Commode
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Very decorative mid-20th Century French painted mahogany commode in the Louis XVI style. With original thick marble top. Circa 1960.
Marble
19th Century German Rococo Serpentine Bow Fronted White Painted Commode
Located in Basingstoke, Hampshire
A striking large scale 19th century German Rococo painted commode. Displaying an elegant double bowfront outline, with a gracefully shaped top, raised on charming cabriole feet. Feat...
Oak
Flame Mahogany Bow Front Claw Feet 3 Drawers Dresser Chippindale Style MINT
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Flame Mahogany Bow Front Claw Feet 3 Drawers Dresser Chippindale Style MINT
Mahogany
$7,066 / item
Georgian Bow Front Bedside Chest
Located in Westwood, NJ
A sleek, recessed glass top provides a stable and stylish surface for lamps, books, or decorative items. The chest's bow front adds an elegant curvature to its structure, enhancing ...
Glass, Wood
Italian Pair 19th C. Bow-Front Night Stands w/Decorative Veneers & Inlay Banding
Located in Atlanta, GA
An Italian pair of wooden side chests with veneers and decorative inlay banding, from the 19th century. These antique smaller-sized chests from Italy have a slightly bowed front desi...
Wood
Bow Front Banded Top Inlayed Double Door One Drawer Sideboard Buffet Server MINT
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Bow Front Banded Burlwood Top Inlayed Double Door One Drawer Sideboard Buffet Server MINT!
Mahogany, Satinwood, Burl
18th Century French Louis XV 5-Drawer Commode w/Subtle Bow-Front in Black
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Louis XV chest of drawers from the 18th century. This antique commode from France, with is subtle curves and bowed front, houses two half-sized drawers atop two full sized d...
Wood
Figured Mahogany Tallboy Linen Press With Carved Detail
Located in Cheshire, GB
The lower section is formed as a bow-front chest of two long drawers, retaining brass swan-neck handles and shaped fronts that follow the gentle serpentine outline of the case.
Wood
$2,500 / item
Mahogany Banded Hepplewhite Chest
Located in Annville, PA
A gorgeous bow fronted Mahogany Banded Hepplewhite Chest of graduated drawers that features great quality mahogany and satinwood banding throughout.
Mahogany
Early 20th C. American Empire BowFront Flame Mahogany Chest on Chest of Drawers
Located in Germantown, MD
A gorgeous, rare Early 20th Century American Empire Bow Front Flame Mahogany chest on chest of drawers with Beatiful craving decorations and dovetail construction drawers working clo...
Mahogany
English Regency Mahogany Chest with Inlaid Pediment Top
Located in Queens, NY
English Regency mahogany chest on chest with bow front design and bronze lion head handles with ebonized inlay on pediment top.
Bronze
Tall Carved Mahogany Chinese Chippendale Style Bow Front High Chest Dresser
By Drexel
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Ball & Claw Tall Carved Mahogany Chinese Chippendale Style Bow Front High Chest Dresser
Brass
2 Vintage Italian Walnut Serpentine Bow Front Bombe Chests Commodes Nightstands
Located in Dayton, OH
Two vintage bombe chests or commodes. Made of walnut featuring ornate French and Italian styling with two petite glove drawers over two drawers supported by cabriole legs. Dimensio...
Walnut
Pair of Mahogany Bow Serpentine Front 3 Drawers Bachelor Chests Grossfeld House
By Grosfeld House, John Widdicomb
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of Mahogany bow Serpentine front 3 drawers bachelor chests Grossfeld house mint!
Mahogany
Light Walnut Bow Front Drawers Long Brass Pull Hardware Gentleman's Chest Mint
By Paul McCobb, Calvin Furniture
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Light walnut bow front drawers long brass pull hardware gentleman's chest dresser commode mint.
Brass
French Empire Style Mahogany Bow Front Large Chest Dresser w/ Bronze Paw Feet
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Quality French Empire Style Mahogany Bow Front Large Chest Dresser w/ Bronze Paw Feet.
Mahogany
Important Sheraton 1859 Dated Flamed Hardwood Lion Head Handle Chest of Drawers
By Thomas Sheraton
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely absolutely exquisite, original Sheraton, flamed mahogany, bow fronted 1859 dated chest of drawers with Lion's head handles.
Hardwood
Danish Teak Pull Out Desk Secretary Desk Bachelor Chest Bookcase Bow Front MINT!
By Dux of Sweden
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Danish Teak Pull Out Desk Secretary Desk Bachelor Chest Bookcase Bow Front MINT! Inspected vintage condition.
Glass, Teak
A Pair of Antique Italian Walnut Bow-Front Side Chests from the 18th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
These 18th century Italian bow-front side chests will be great decorative storage-pieces where space is at a premium as they have been made in a cute size of just 18 inches wide and ...
Wood
BAKER Bow Front Banded Top & 4 Drawers Pull Out Desk Bachelor Chest Dresser MINT
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in Rockaway, NJ
BAKER Bow Front Banded Top & 4 Drawers Pull Out Desk Bachelor Chest Dresser MINT!
Brass
SUITE OF BOW FRONTED MIRRORED GLASS CHEST OF DRAWERS WiTH PAIR OF SIDE TABLES
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning suite of Venetian style mirrored glass Bow Fronted drawers to include a main chest of drawers ...
Mirror
French 18th Century Commode with Original Paint and Marble Top
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A unique painted bow-front commode/chest of drawers from the late 18th century in striking finishes and proportions that beg for a prominent spot in the home like a small buffet or c...
Marble, Brass, Bronze
Federal Inlaid Mahogany Dresser Chest by National Furniture, Circa 1960s
By National Furniture Company
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Federal or Hepplewhite style bow front four-drawer dresser or chest of drawers By National Furniture Co. of Mount Airy USA, Circa 1960s Mahogany, with inlaid satinwood ...
Brass
Baker Furniture Style Federal Green Lacquered Mahogany Dresser Chest, Refinished
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Federal or Georgian style bow front four-drawer dresser or chest of drawers In the manner of Baker Furniture By Finch Fine Furniture (a division of Thomasville Furniture...
Brass
Italian Walnut Early 19th Century Three-Drawer Bedside Chest from Vicenza
Located in Atlanta, GA
It features a trio of drawers, with the top drawer slightly narrower than the two below, allowing for organized storage of personal items. The subtle bow front of the chest adds a so...
Brass
Federal Inlaid Mahogany Highboy Dresser by National Furniture, Circa 1960s
By National Furniture Company
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Federal or Hepplewhite style bow front highboy dresser or chest of drawers By National Furniture Co. of Mount Airy USA, Circa 1960s Mahogany, with inlaid satinwood marq...
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.
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