$2,600Sale Price|20% Off
H 25.25 in W 47 in D 21 in
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
Brass
$4,200
H 35.5 in W 50.75 in D 23.13 in
18th Century Bleached Mahogany French Empire Commode with Black Marble Top
Located in Carmine, TX
Empire chest of drawers hand-made in France in the early 1800s using oak and decorated with
Mahogany
19th Century French Empire Style Bleached Commode with Marble Top
Located in Dallas, TX
This 19th century French Empire style commode exudes elegance and sophistication, featuring
Carrara Marble
19th Century French Bleached Oak Empire Style Chest of Drawers
Located in Dallas, TX
Handsome 19th century French bleached oak Empire style chest of drawers. The piece has nice clean
Oak
19th Century French Empire Bleached Mahogany Chest with Brass Inlay
Located in Dallas, TX
Lovely 19th century French Empire bleached mahogany chest with brass inlay. Very nice black marble
Marble
1820s Empire Style Bleached Oak Drawer Chest
Located in High Point, NC
This oak chest of drawers was made in France, circa 1820. It houses four drawers, each with a
Brass
19th Century Italian Empire Chest of Drawers in Bleached Walnut
Located in Carmine, TX
Chest of drawers hand-made in Italy in the early 1800s using cherry and pegged construction. The
Walnut
Sold
H 36.61 in W 48.82 in D 24.41 in
19th Century Italian Empire Chest of Drawers / Dresser in Bleached Walnut
Located in Carmine, TX
Empire chest of drawers hand-made in Italy in the early 1800s using walnut. The dresser features
Walnut
Pair of Vintage Bleached Mahogany Empire Style Chests, circa 1940
Located in North York, ON
Pair of Vintage Bleached Mahogany Empire Style Chests Circa 1940. Restored by our craftsmen with a
Bronze
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
Brass
Sold
H 29.94 in W 37.19 in D 18.82 in
Pair of Petite Bleached French Empire Style Four-Drawer Commodes
Located in Richmond, VA
Great pair of petite bleached French Empire style four-drawer commodes, early 20th century. Height
Walnut
19th Century Bleached Italian Empire Walnut Commode
Located in Carmine, TX
Bleached Italian Empire commode handmade using walnut and pegged construction. This is a
Cherry
19th Century French Bleached Walnut Chest of Drawers
Located in Carmine, TX
Chest of drawers hand-made in France in the mid 1800s using walnut. This is a very interesting
Walnut
Sold
H 35.5 in W 45 in D 23.25 in
19th Century French Empire Period Bleached Walnut Commode with Marble Top
Located in Birmingham, AL
. Having a bleached finish, this handsome antique French chest of drawers features a bookmatched burled
Marble, Brass, Bronze
Sold
H 36.5 in W 51 in D 24.5 in
Early 19th Century French Empire Period Bleached Walnut Lyonnaise Commode with B
Located in Birmingham, AL
chest of drawers has a bleached or washed finish and features a black fossil marble top that rests above
Brass, Bronze
Kindel Bleached Walnut & Brass Empire Style Dresser
Located in Chicago, IL
Bleached walnut nine drawer dresser from revered Grand Rapids, Michigan furniture maker, Kindel
Brass
French Bleached Oak Commode
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Early 19th C French bleached oak commode in the Empire Style. 1820. Dimensions 48.5 inches (123
Oak
18th Century French Oak Chest of Drawers
Located in High Point, NC
Simple yet majestic, this beautiful antique chest of drawers showcases the solemn grandeur of
Brass
19th Century, French Country Chest of Drawers
Located in High Point, NC
Rational and harmonious, this antique oak chest of drawers is a covetable find. Made in France in
Brass
Sold
H 36 in W 51.25 in D 25.25 in
French Empire Mahogany Commode with Bluestone Top and Gilt Bronze Hardware
Located in Dallas, TX
This French Empire commode is a perfect example of the type of chest of drawers that became popular
Stone, Bronze
Sold
H 35 in W 51.5 in D 23 in
French Empire Style Bleached Walnut Marble Top Chest with Ebonized Feet.
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
French Empire Style Bleached Walnut Marble Top Chest with Ebonized Paw Feet. Ca. 1860. Bleached
Belgian Black Marble
Sold
H 35.75 in W 49 in D 22.25 in
19th Century French Empire Period Bleached Walnut Commode with Bookmatched Front
Located in Birmingham, AL
1810. Having a bookmatched walnut front, this handsome bleached chest of drawers has a hidden apron
Bronze
Sold
H 33 in W 47 in D 20 in
Pair of Antique Italian Empire Style Bleached Commodes with Carrara Marble
Located in Dallas, TX
Exceptional pair of antique Italian Empire style bleached commodes with Carrara marble. A very
Carrara Marble
Sold
H 33.5 in W 44.5 in D 22.75 in
French 1870s Empire Style Bleached Wood Commode with Columns and Frieze Drawer
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French bleached wood Empire style four-drawer commode from the late 19th century, with columns
Brass
Sold
H 38.75 in W 48 in D 22.25 in
19th Century French Mahogany Empire Chest/Commode with Black Marble Top
Located in Carmine, TX
French Empire chest built in the early 1800s using bookmatched crotch magohany veneer and oak
Marble
Antique French Empire Chest in Bleached Oak
Located in Houston, TX
Antique French oak chest featuring three drawers in the French Empire style that is solidly built
Brass
19th Century Bleached Empire Chest with Paw Feet
Located in Atlanta, GA
19th century bleached Empire chest with paw feet.
19th Century French Empire Commode in Bleached Walnut
Located in Fairhope, AL
This 19th century French Empire commode is bleached walnut and has a beautiful black marble-top
Walnut
Pair of 19th Century Italian Walnut Commodes
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
A pair of mid-19th century Italian commodes in bleached walnut, with Empire style columns of good
Walnut
19th Century Biedermeier Blond Cherrywood Chest of Drawers
Located in San Francisco, CA
A 19th century blond cherrywood Biedermeier three drawer chest with black lacquer accent. Excellent hand made quality. Has an Art Deco Modern looking appeal. The Art Deco period was...
Cherry, Fruitwood
$9,649
H 83.08 in W 56.7 in D 21.07 in
STUNNING ViNTAGE ITALIAN MARQUETRY INLAID WARDROBE ARMOIRE OR HALL CUPBOARD
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this absolutely exquisite, Museum quality, large Italian Marquetry inlaid Wardrobe, Armoire or Hall Cupboard...
Hardwood, Oak, Satinwood, Walnut
Sasco Semi-Flush Mount Brass Light Fixture, Custom Finishes
Located in Pound Ridge, NY
The Sasco is a versatile custom-made solid brass and glass globe light fixture, which can be mounted on the ceiling or wall. Shown here in our factory brass, an uneven unfinished br...
Brass
$1,155Sale Price / item|30% Off
H 16.1 in Dm 11.5 in
'Plissé White Edition' Pleated Textile Table Lamp by Folkform for Örsjö
By Örsjö Industri AB
Located in Glendale, CA
'Plissé White Edition' pleated textile table lamp by Folkform for Örsjö. This unique table lamp was awarded “Lighting of the Year 2022” by Residence Magazine Sweden, who called it “...
Textile
Large (29") Smooth Undulating White Plaster Shell Pendant Light
Located in San Francisco, CA
A plaster pendant in a smooth, undulating shell shape, with scalloped edges. A newer take on Francis Elkins's 1940s plaster plafonnier. Hanging by four white chains; with 3 medium ba...
Metal
19th Century Dutch Commode
Located in Charleston, SC
Charming 19th century very carved bombe front Dutch commode in bleached oak. With original bronze hardwares. Holland circa 1860.
Bronze
Large Spanish Brutalist Sunburst Mirror in Gilt Metal, 1950s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Brutalist Starburst Sunburst Wall Mirror, Wrought Gilt Iron, Spain, 1950s The frame is entirely made by hand. Finished in gold leaf. Gorgeous gilding and terrific patina. This starbu...
Metal, Iron, Wrought Iron, Gold Leaf
19th Century French Faux Bamboo Chest of Drawers
Located in High Point, NC
19th century chest of drawers from France. The marble top is made from Carrara marble and has been replaced. This piece has four drawers all with faux bamboo applied moldings turne...
Carrara Marble
$1,809
H 32.29 in W 23.63 in D 25.6 in
Original French Art Deco Lounge Chair and Original Soft Comfy Fabric, circa 1935
By Thonet, Gispen
Located in Amsterdam IJMuiden, NL
This item is part of the private collection of Casey Godrie and is situated in his private house. Ask him for competitive shipping quotes. His incredible Dune Villa, Amsterdam Beach...
Chrome
$3,400
H 38.875 in W 50 in D 23 in
French Bookmatched Walnut Louis Philippe Commode, Charcoal Marble Top, C. 1900
Located in Dallas, TX
Furniture constructed in the style of Louis Philippe, such as this French commode, are highly sought-after, as these pieces pair well with most furniture styles, as a result of their...
Stone, Marble, Metal, Brass
Custom Plaster Lev Fixture
Located in New York, NY
Custom plaster cone-shaped lev fixture. Please note this is customizable. All our fixtures are UL wired. This one uses (1) Edison bulb at 40 watts in E-26 socket. Lead time is 8-12...
Plaster
Bleached oak Commode in the Louis XVI style
Located in Budleigh Salterton, GB
Lovely quality late 19th century oak chest of drawers / commode in the Louis XVI style French circa 1890s with original handles , having been washed and scrubbed to give the piece ...
Oak
$5,800
H 31.75 in W 39.25 in D 18.25 in
French Louis XVI Commode with Original Marble Top New Ebonized Mahogany Finish
Located in BENSENVILLE, IL
French Louis XVI Commode with its Original Marble Top. Our Old Plank Restoration Department removed the old tired lacquer, without the use of any harsh chemicals and applied an old s...
Marble, Brass
Bespoke Round Italian Travertine Dining Table
Located in London, London
Travertine dining table Made to order in Italy Round top Dimensions can be adjusted Honed or polished finish Rounded or straight edges Travertine pedestal Photos show recently...
Travertine
$4,300
H 36 in W 53.75 in D 23.25 in
Early 20th Century French Empire Marble Top Carved Walnut Four-Drawer Chest
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a living room or den with this elegant antique chest of drawers. Crafted in France, circa 1930, the traditional commode sits on carved columnar supports over a straight bott...
Marble, Bronze
$8,400
H 38 in W 43.5 in D 20.75 in
French Louis XVI Style Bleached Oak Three-Drawer Chest with Carved Panels
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Louis XVI style bleached oak chest from the 19th century, with three drawers, carved panels, brass hardware and fluted side posts. Created in France during the 19th century,...
Brass
From 1804–15, Napoléon I reigned as the emperor of France, bringing the country into a new era of opulence after the fall of the monarchy and the tumultuous years of the French Revolution. He declared, “We must have very solid things, made to last 100 years.” Empire-style furniture followed suit, with imposing pieces constructed from mahogany and adorned with gilded ornaments. Expanding on the neoclassicism popularized in the previous century — such as in Louis XVI style — Empire style borrowed from the great civilizations of antiquity, from Egypt to Greece and Rome, to connect this nascent empire to the power of the past.
Napoléon I believed the production of fine furniture would reflect the stature of the republic, with his official architects Charles Percier and Pierre-François-Léonard Fontaine leading the way with their work on his residences.
Luxurious materials, symmetrical shapes and bold colors characterize antique Empire-style bedroom furniture, armchairs, cabinets and other structures, with frequent motifs including mythological creatures, geometric designs, acanthus leaves, eagles, bees (the imperial emblem) and swans, a favorite of Empress Joséphine.
Flat surfaces, like marble tabletops, were accented with decadent details, such as the bronze furniture mounts made by sculptor Pierre-Philippe Thomire for the French palaces. Martin-Guillaume Biennais, who worked as the imperial goldsmith, crafted intricate luxury objects that mixed wood, fine metal, mother-of-pearl and ivory. Ormolu — or elaborate bronze gilding — was essential to French design in the 18th and 19th centuries as a cornerstone of the neoclassical and Empire styles.
The style became popular abroad, influencing the American Empire style. Stately pieces carved with sprigs of olives by cabinetmaker Pierre-Antoine Bellange were acquired by American President James Monroe for the White House in 1817.
Find a collection of antique Empire tables, lighting, seating and other furniture on 1stDibs.
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.