What is a bombe chest?

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.

How much does a bombe chest cost?

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.

Carved Bombe Chest

Antique Louis Xv Style Bombe Commode

$3,420 / set

Pair of Mint Century Furniture Bombe French Provincial Night Stands Chests MINT!

Located in Rockaway, NJ

Pair of Mint Century Furniture Bombe French Provincial Night Stands Chests MINT!

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Vintage Boston Chippendale Style Mahogany Swell Bombe Chest by Baker

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Sold

$4,666

$1,470Sale Price|25% Off

$3,350

H 45 in W 48 in D 21.5 in

18th Century Baroque Chest of Drawers

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Danish Baroque dresser with four drawers, period brass hardware and key. Inlaid fruitwood decorations, sharp intarsia work.

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Antique Mid-18th Century Danish Baroque Commodes and Chests of Drawers

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Carved Bombe Chest For Sale on 1stDibs

Find many varieties of an authentic carved bombe chest available at 1stDibs. Frequently made of wood, metal and walnut, every carved bombe chest was constructed with great care. Whether you’re looking for an older or newer carved bombe chest, there are earlier versions available from the 18th Century and newer variations made as recently as the 20th Century. When you’re browsing for the right carved bombe chest, those designed in Louis XV, Rococo and Louis XVI styles are of considerable interest. You’ll likely find more than one carved bombe chest that is appealing in its simplicity, but Baker Furniture Company, Don Ruseau and Karges Furniture produced versions that are worth a look.

How Much is a Carved Bombe Chest?

The average selling price for a carved bombe chest at 1stDibs is $4,550, while they’re typically $950 on the low end and $75,000 for the highest priced.

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 Carved Bombe Chest

What is a bombe chest?
1 Answer
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.
How much does a bombe chest cost?
1 Answer
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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