Antique Italian Tuscany Country Painted Wooden Commode Secretaire Desk
Located in Carimate, Como
A beautiful Italian Tuscany secretary desk commode, hand painted in the Neoclassical style featuring fine florals and scroll work in different colors on a green and cream background....
Wood
Very Rare Antique Biedermeier Walnut Architect's Drawing Table, Commode or Chest
Located in Lisse, NL
Extraordinary walnut veneered architects Transformation / drawing table and chest of drawers into one. This amazing quality and excellent condition chest and drawing table was handc...
Brass
$6,800Sale Price|20% Off
18th Century Italian Baroque Inlaid Walnut Drop-Front Secretary Desk / Commode
Located in Miami, FL
18th Century Italian Baroque Inlaid Walnut Drop-Front Secretary Desk / Commode, Antique Italian Inlaid Walnut Bureau, Baroque Drop-Front Secretary, A traditional 18th-century Itali...
Brass
Neoclassic Period French Commode W/Hidden Butler's Secretary & Writing Desk
Located in Atlanta, GA
This antique commode from France gives the appearance of being a three drawer chest at first glance.
Wood
Swedish 18th Century Writing Desk Commode with Original Brass Hardware, c.1760
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish writing desk commode dating to circa 1760, crafted in pine and finished in a richly aged dark paint with exceptional surface character and patina accumulated over centuries.
Wood
Antique Campaign Chest with Desk
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Transporting antique campaign chest crafted in mahogany with dramatic wood grains, brass inlays and hardware, and featuring a foldout writing desk having tooled green leather. Repute...
Mahogany
Antique English Campaign Chest with Desk
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Handsome antique British Colonial campaign chest crafted in mahogany in a two piece construction featuring a pullout desk with drawers and niches over four drawers with brass hardwar...
Brass
Antique English Wellington-Style Mahogany Desk, Circa 1820
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
English circa 1820 Wellington-style chest of drawers made of mahogany in dazzling flamed grain that stretches across the case. The tall and narrow chest is secured to the sides by co...
Maple, Mahogany, Glass, Leather
Antique English British Colonial Campaign Chest with Pullout Desk
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Impressive early 19th century English campaign chest, desk handcrafted in rosewood in two piece construction, featuring a pullout desk having a drawer, inlaid door, nooks and a secre...
Brass
Antique French Country Provincial Wooden Storage Caddy Tool Box Desk Organizer
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Country Provincial Slotted Wooden Storage Caddy Tool Box Desk Organizer. Item features attractive distressed finish, wonderful patina, solid wood construction, quality...
Wood
1840s-1860s Edo Japanese antique wabi sabi desk organizer Tansu chest of drawers
Located in 常陸大宮市, JP
Japanese antique shallow Tansu chest of drawers with 4 shelves - made of quality red pine & chestnut. The product of 1840s - 1860s (late Edo period) estimate from the style &...
Wood, Chestnut, Pine
19th Century Biedermeier Chest Of Drawers/ Secretary Desk, Austria ca. 1830
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
The traditional hand polished shellac finish as well as the artfully made brass fittings finalize this exceptional antique Biedermeier secretary desk/ writing commode/ chest of drawe...
Brass
$2,120Sale Price|20% Off
American Empire Classical Mahogany Butlers Chest With Drop-Front Desk c1840
Located in Big Flats, NY
An exceptional American Empire Classical butler's chest, crafted from mahogany and dating to circa 1840. This substantial piece of antique furniture embodies the robust elegance char...
Mahogany
Louis XVI Tall Secretaire (Retains Original Leather on Desk-Top), 18th C. French
Located in Atlanta, GA
A beautiful French Louis XVI carved-cherry wood tall secretarie cabinet, with original leather on desk, from the 18th century. This antique "secretaire an abattant" from France featu...
Wood
Fine Harrods London Kennedy Chest of Drawers Brown Leather Writing Slope Desk
By Kennedy Furniture For Harrods London, Harrods
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely vintage Harrods London Kennedy Military Campaign chest of drawers which doubles as a writing bur...
Leather, Hardwood, Oak
Unavailable
H 39 in W 36.5 in D 18 in
Continental Régence Inspired Commode With Rococo Carved Desk Top
Located in Free Union, VA
An exuberantly carved antique Northern European desk (probably Dutch) of unusual form: a serpentine block front case piece with three drawers and a slightly sloped fall front lid abo...
Brass
Unavailable
H 35.44 in W 41.34 in D 23.63 in
SALE!-Gustavian Antique 19 th c Cherrywood Chest - Writing desk
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Gustavian antique 19 th c cherry wood veneer on pine chest, opening into a writing desk.
Cherry
Unavailable
H 39.77 in W 37.8 in D 20.87 in
Antique Georgian Regency Elm Secretaire Desk Writing Chest of Drawers
Located in Wisbech, Walton Wisbech
Antique Georgian / Regency elm secretaire desk writing chest of drawers, circa 1800-1830. A lovely item, that is full of age, charm and character. Old patinated leather skiver (no...
Elm
Antique French Mahogany Commode with hidden Secretary
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique French Charles X Mahogany Commode with Hidden Drop Front Secretary Satinwood inlay with Flame guided Bronze Hardware.
Bronze
Scandinavian 19th Century Satinwood Commode Desk
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A stunning Scandinavian commode with a fold-down secretary desk housed in its top drawer.
Metal
French 19th Century Walnut Commode/Desk
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This 19th century French commode has a resourceful design that incorporates a fold out desk into its top drawer.
Walnut
Sold
H 30 in W 20.5 in D 14 in
Antique French Marquetry Ormolu Side Table 3 Drawer Cabinet Commode Paul Sormani
By Paul Sormani
Located in Portland, OR
An important antique French Louis XV transitional style gilt-bronze mounted amaranth & kingwood marquetry table à écrire, by Paul Sormani, Paris, circa 1870. A beautiful bombe shape...
Ormolu
French 19th Century Mahogany Fold Out Desk Commode
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
Brilliantly bookmatched mahogany graces the drawer fronts of this 19th century French commode whose resourceful design incorporates a fold out desk into one of its drawers.
Mahogany
French 19th Century Louis Philippe Style Commode Desk
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A stunning Louis Philippe style mahogany commode with a fold-down secretary desk housed in its top drawer.
Marble, Brass
French 19th Century Walnut Louis XVI-Style Commode Desk
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
The topmost drawer unlocks to reveal a drop front pull-out writing surface that is clad in wonderfully patinated cognac-colored leather. Transforming the antique from a commode to a ...
Walnut
19th Century Italian Walnut Carlo X Commode / Butler's Desk
Located in Carmine, TX
Carlo X butler's desk / chest of drawers made in Italy in the mid 1800s using walnut. The first thing that will catch your attention of this beautiful piece is the stunning burl waln...
Walnut
Antique Mahogany Writing Bureau Desk
Located in London, GB
Good solidly made antique mahogany bureau in good original condition and dating from circa 1910 period. The top and the slope are flame mahogany with cross banding on the edges. The ...
Mahogany
Superb Antique Burr Walnut Pedestal Desk
Located in Benington, Herts
A fine quality burr walnut pedestal desk with inset leather top dating from the early 1900s. This fine quality walnut desk has an inverted moulded breakfront top with two crossba...
Walnut
Anglo Chinese Antique Campaign Chest with Desk
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Rare and remarkable 19th century Anglo Chinese chest with eight drawers handcrafted in teak in two piece construction, having a pullout desk with leather writing surface, storage com...
Brass
Antique German Painted Pine Secretary Desk/Dresser
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning, 19th Century German pine secretary desk/chest of drawers with original hand painted decorations. The chest is sturdy with old repairs and wear including age-cracks. Key ...
Pine, Paint
Antique Chest Of Drawers/Desk Painted White From 1890s
Located in Lejre, DK
This antique dresser/desk from around 1890 is an impressive piece of furniture history. With its white painted finish, it exudes a timeless elegance and charm. The five spacious draw...
Wood
Sold
H 35 in W 35 in D 15.5 in
Antique South German Marquetry Fruitwood & Walnut Secretary Dresser Desk, 1850
Located in Portland, OR
A good antique 19th century South German marquetry walnut & fruitwood inlaid desk, circa 1850. The desk of serpentine shape & having a fold out desk writing surface which encloses d...
Fruitwood, Walnut
Antique English Pine Desk, Two Drawers, Mid-20th Century, 1950s
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Antique English Pine 2 Drawer Desk - 1950s Wear consistent with age and use. Antique - Decoration - 20th
Pine
Antique Scottish or English Campaign Butler's Desk Chest of Drawers
Located in Centennial, CO
An elegant and functional antique Scottish or English campaign style butler's desk chest of drawer. Crafted out of teak or sycamore (exterior) and elm (interior) with original brass ...
Brass
British Antique Campaign Chest of Drawers with Desk, 19th Century
Located in Shippensburg, PA
An exquisite mid-19th century British campaign chest crafted in two self-contained parts with a desk hidden inside of one of the upper drawers, it features a solid golden-oak primary...
Brass
Sold
H 38 in W 52 in D 23 in
Antique French Louis Philippe Flamed Mahogany Marble Top Chest w/ Desk Ca. 1880s
Located in New Orleans, LA
Wonderful Antique French Louis Philippe style flamed mahogany chest with writing desk and blue grey pyrenees marble top, Circa 1870-1880.
Marble
Georgian Mahogany Secretaire Desk Writing Table Chest of Drawers
Located in Wisbech, England
Antique Georgian mahogany secretaire desk writing table chest of drawers. A lovely item, that is full of age, charm and character. Old patinated leatherette writing surface. Solid ...
Mahogany
19th Century Camphor Wood Campaign Chest with Desk Drawer
Located in Nantucket, MA
Antique Camphor wood campaign chest with fitted desk drawer, most likely British, Mid 19th Century, a high quality campaign piece made in two pieces from beautiful camphor wood, ligh...
Wood
Rare French Louis XVI Drop-Front Desk/Chest of Drawers
Located in Austin, TX
French antique Louis XVI style chest of drawers with drop-front desk in solid, ebonized cherry wood with a French polish finish. Top drawers drops open to reveal a gold leafed, embos...
Brass, Gold Leaf
Sold
H 40.36 in W 36.03 in D 17.72 in
Original Charlotte Horstmann Hong Kong Military Campaign Chest of Drawers Desk
By Charlotte Horstmann
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this very rare and highly collectable Charlotte Horstmann of Hong Kong mahogany Military campaign chest of drawers / secretaire desk with huge over...
Brass
Sold
H 55.91 in W 38.59 in
19th Century Flame Mahogany Bureau Abattant Desk Chest Of Drawers, circa 1840
Located in Wisbech, England
Antique 19th century flame mahogany bureau abattant desk chest of drawers, circa 1840. This is a lovely piece of furniture, that is full of age, charm and character. Fantastic flame...
Mahogany
Sold
H 37 in W 45 in D 22.5 in
Late 19th / Early 20th Century French Louis XV Butlers Desk Chest of Drawers
Located in Forney, TX
A handsome antique French Louis XV style chest of drawers butler's desk.
Marble, Bronze
Sold
H 36.23 in W 36.03 in L 36.23 in
Lovely Burr Yew Wood Military Campaign Chest of Drawers Built in Drop Front Desk
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning antique Burr Yew wood military campaign chest of drawers with drop front secrataire desk and green leather writing surface A good...
Yew
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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