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Ralph Lauren for Henredon American Empire Carved Mahogany Highboy Dresser
Ralph Lauren for Henredon American Empire Carved Mahogany Highboy Dresser

Ralph Lauren for Henredon American Empire Carved Mahogany Highboy Dresser

By Henredon, Ralph Lauren

Located in South Bend, IN

A gorgeous American Empire style four-drawer highboy dresser chest By Ralph Lauren for Henredon

Category

Late 20th Century Colombian American Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century French Empire Commode from the Villa of Coco Chanel
19th Century French Empire Commode from the Villa of Coco Chanel

19th Century French Empire Commode from the Villa of Coco Chanel

Located in Vancouver, British Columbia

A 19th century French mahogany three-drawer Empire chest or commode embellished with gilt mounts

Category

Antique 1870s French Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century Empire Walnut Wood Commode or Chest of Drawer
19th Century Empire Walnut Wood Commode or Chest of Drawer

19th Century Empire Walnut Wood Commode or Chest of Drawer

Located in Casale Monferrato, IT

Important antique Italian chest of drawers 1880s in walnut wood. The commode is very refined linear

Category

Antique Early 1800s Italian Empire Dressers

Materials

Walnut

Rway French Empire Neoclassical Mahogany 4 Drawer Tall Chest Dresser Highboy
Rway French Empire Neoclassical Mahogany 4 Drawer Tall Chest Dresser Highboy

Rway French Empire Neoclassical Mahogany 4 Drawer Tall Chest Dresser Highboy

By RWAY

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Antique Rway French Empire neoclassical style mahogany 4 drawer tall chest dresser highboy. Item

Category

Mid-20th Century North American American Empire Dressers

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century Italian Empire Walnut Wood Commode or Chest of Drawer
19th Century Italian Empire Walnut Wood Commode or Chest of Drawer

19th Century Italian Empire Walnut Wood Commode or Chest of Drawer

Located in Casale Monferrato, IT

Important antique Italian chest of drawers 1880s in fir wood. The commode is very refined linear

Category

Antique Early 1800s Italian Empire Dressers

Materials

Walnut

Antique French Empire Mahogany 7-Drawer Marble-Top Tall Chest, 19th C
Antique French Empire Mahogany 7-Drawer Marble-Top Tall Chest, 19th C

Antique French Empire Mahogany 7-Drawer Marble-Top Tall Chest, 19th C

Located in Big Flats, NY

19th Century French Empire tall chest features mahogany construction, seven drawers, flanking full

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Dressers

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Henredon French Empire Carved Mahogany Nine-Drawer Dresser
Henredon French Empire Carved Mahogany Nine-Drawer Dresser

Henredon French Empire Carved Mahogany Nine-Drawer Dresser

By Henredon

Located in South Bend, IN

An exceptional French Empire style nine-drawer dresser or chest of drawers By Henredon USA

Category

Late 20th Century American Empire Dressers

Materials

Brass

Antique French Miniature Empire Style Model Chest
Antique French Miniature Empire Style Model Chest

Antique French Miniature Empire Style Model Chest

Located in Houston, TX

A charming Empire style three-drawer model chest found in France, with brass accents and knobs, a

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Empire Models and Miniatures

Materials

Brass

Dutch Oak Chest of Drawers
Dutch Oak Chest of Drawers

Dutch Oak Chest of Drawers

Located in Vancouver, British Columbia

A small, Dutch Empire-style four-drawer chest in oak with brass hardware and decorative columns

Category

Antique 1880s Dutch Empire Dressers

Materials

Brass

Baker Furniture French Empire Cherry Wood Highboy Dresser, Newly Refinished
Baker Furniture French Empire Cherry Wood Highboy Dresser, Newly Refinished

Baker Furniture French Empire Cherry Wood Highboy Dresser, Newly Refinished

By Baker Furniture Company

Located in South Bend, IN

An outstanding French Empire style six-drawer highboy dresser chest By Baker Furniture USA

Category

Mid-20th Century American Empire Dressers

Materials

Brass

Empire Chest Of Drawer, Copenhagen 1810
Empire Chest Of Drawer, Copenhagen 1810

Empire Chest Of Drawer, Copenhagen 1810

Located in Copenhagen, K

Empire Chest Of Drawer, Copenhagen 1810

Category

Antique 19th Century Danish Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Oak

Danish Empire Inlaid Three-Drawer Chest
Danish Empire Inlaid Three-Drawer Chest

Danish Empire Inlaid Three-Drawer Chest

Located in Norwalk, CT

This is a beautiful Empire chest of drawers from Denmark, circa 1810-1820. This chest features an

Category

Antique Early 19th Century Danish Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Dutch Empire Style Mahogany 6-Drawer Chest
Dutch Empire Style Mahogany 6-Drawer Chest

Dutch Empire Style Mahogany 6-Drawer Chest

Located in Baton Rouge, LA

A tall Empire style 19th century mahogany chest from the Netherlands. This case piece has six

Category

Antique 19th Century Dutch Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Early 19th Century American Empire Chest with Secretaire Drawer
Early 19th Century American Empire Chest with Secretaire Drawer

Early 19th Century American Empire Chest with Secretaire Drawer

Located in Hixson, TN

A 19th century American Empire maple and cherrywood chest with drop front secretaire drawer and

Category

Antique 19th Century American American Empire Commodes and Chests of Dra...

Small French Ebonised Three Drawer Empire Chest with Marble Top
Small French Ebonised Three Drawer Empire Chest with Marble Top

Small French Ebonised Three Drawer Empire Chest with Marble Top

Located in Troy, MI

Found in France, this empire style three drawer chest dates from the 1960s. Classically styled, the

Category

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

Materials

Marble, Brass

19th Century Biedermeier / Empire Cherrywood Chest of Drawer
19th Century Biedermeier / Empire Cherrywood Chest of Drawer

19th Century Biedermeier / Empire Cherrywood Chest of Drawer

Located in Darmstadt, DE

Very beautiful Biedermeier/Empire chest of drawers with four drawers, three are lockable. The chest

Category

Antique Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Commodes and Chests of Dra...

Materials

Cherry, Pine

Early 19th Century Empire Walnut Chest of Two-Drawer / Commode
Early 19th Century Empire Walnut Chest of Two-Drawer / Commode

Early 19th Century Empire Walnut Chest of Two-Drawer / Commode

Located in Darmstadt, DE

The pointed-foot chest of drawers with two drawers was made circa 1800 from solid and veneered

Category

Antique Early 19th Century German Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

1820s French Empire Marble-Top Chest of Drawer With Paw Feet
1820s French Empire Marble-Top Chest of Drawer With Paw Feet

1820s French Empire Marble-Top Chest of Drawer With Paw Feet

Located in High Point, NC

This 1820s French Empire chest of drawers exemplifies refined Neoclassical elegance with its clean

Category

Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble

Early 19th Century Empire Cherry Pointed-Foot Chest of Two-Drawer
Early 19th Century Empire Cherry Pointed-Foot Chest of Two-Drawer

Early 19th Century Empire Cherry Pointed-Foot Chest of Two-Drawer

Located in Darmstadt, DE

veneered. The chest of drawers dates from the Empire period adjacent to the Biedermeier period around 1815

Category

Antique Early 19th Century German Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Early 19th Century Biedermeier / Empire Cherrywood Chest of Drawer
Early 19th Century Biedermeier / Empire Cherrywood Chest of Drawer

Early 19th Century Biedermeier / Empire Cherrywood Chest of Drawer

Located in Darmstadt, DE

Wonderfully simple rectilinear chest with 3 drawers covered with cherry veneer on a spruce body

Category

Antique Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Commodes and Chests of Dra...

Materials

Spruce, Cherry

1960s Baker Furniture French Empire Biedermeier Walnut 3-Drawer Chest Commode
1960s Baker Furniture French Empire Biedermeier Walnut 3-Drawer Chest Commode

1960s Baker Furniture French Empire Biedermeier Walnut 3-Drawer Chest Commode

By Baker Furniture Company

Located in Dayton, OH

1960s Baker Furniture French Empire Biedermeier walnut 3-drawer chest commode French Empire

Category

Vintage 1960s Biedermeier Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Walnut

Antique Empire Style Chest of Drawers
Antique Empire Style Chest of Drawers

Antique Empire Style Chest of Drawers

Located in Laguna Beach, CA

Antique Empire style mahogany chest of drawer with an old hand cut marble top and brass hardware

Category

Antique 19th Century European Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble, Brass

Empire Chest of Drawers, Southern Germany, circa 1805
Empire Chest of Drawers, Southern Germany, circa 1805

Empire Chest of Drawers, Southern Germany, circa 1805

Located in Greding, DE

Three-drawer Empire chest of drawers on carved lion's feet. The corners are decorated with caryatid

Category

Antique Early 1800s German Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Cherry

Three-Drawer Burled Walnut Commode Chest by Modern History
Three-Drawer Burled Walnut Commode Chest by Modern History

Three-Drawer Burled Walnut Commode Chest by Modern History

Located in Toledo, OH

A beautiful contemporary burled walnut commode by Modern History in a French empire style that

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Walnut

Early 19th Century French Empire Carved Walnut Four-Drawer Commode
Early 19th Century French Empire Carved Walnut Four-Drawer Commode

Early 19th Century French Empire Carved Walnut Four-Drawer Commode

Located in Dallas, TX

Empire chest is in excellent condition commensurate with age and use, and adorns a rich walnut patina

Category

Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Bronze, Brass

French Period Empire Marble Top Four Drawer Commode W/Brass Accents
French Period Empire Marble Top Four Drawer Commode W/Brass Accents

French Period Empire Marble Top Four Drawer Commode W/Brass Accents

Located in Atlanta, GA

Empire chest-of-drawers is a versatile case piece which would work well in many rooms; offering great

Category

Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble, Brass

French Empire Style Midcentury Walnut Four-Drawer Commode with Bookmark Veneer
French Empire Style Midcentury Walnut Four-Drawer Commode with Bookmark Veneer

French Empire Style Midcentury Walnut Four-Drawer Commode with Bookmark Veneer

Located in Atlanta, GA

A French Empire style walnut commode from the mid-20th century, with ebonized columns and bronze

Category

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

Materials

Bronze, Brass

French Early 19th Century Empire Period Four-Drawer Commode with Marble Top
French Early 19th Century Empire Period Four-Drawer Commode with Marble Top

French Early 19th Century Empire Period Four-Drawer Commode with Marble Top

Located in Atlanta, GA

elegance of the lines, warm finish of the wood, would make this French Empire period four-drawer chest

Category

Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble, Bronze

American Ralph Lauren Empire Style Carved Mahogany Highboy Chest of Drawers
American Ralph Lauren Empire Style Carved Mahogany Highboy Chest of Drawers

American Ralph Lauren Empire Style Carved Mahogany Highboy Chest of Drawers

By Ralph Lauren

Located in Hopewell, NJ

A gorgeous mahogany American Empire style four drawer highboy dresser chest with carved columns

Category

1990s Colombian American Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

French 1870s Empire Style Bleached Wood Commode with Columns and Frieze Drawer
French 1870s Empire Style Bleached Wood Commode with Columns and Frieze Drawer

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

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

French Empire Style 1870s Mahogany Three-Drawer Commode with White Marble Top
French Empire Style 1870s Mahogany Three-Drawer Commode with White Marble Top

French Empire Style 1870s Mahogany Three-Drawer Commode with White Marble Top

Located in Atlanta, GA

A French Empire style mahogany commode from the late 19th century, with white marble top, three

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble

19th Century French Empire Walnut Four-Drawer Commode with Black & White Marble
19th Century French Empire Walnut Four-Drawer Commode with Black & White Marble

19th Century French Empire Walnut Four-Drawer Commode with Black & White Marble

Located in Dallas, TX

This elegant, antique fruitwood chest of drawers was crafted in France, circa 1830. The traditional

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble

French Empire Style 19th Century Painted Four-Drawer Commode with Gilded Busts
French Empire Style 19th Century Painted Four-Drawer Commode with Gilded Busts

French Empire Style 19th Century Painted Four-Drawer Commode with Gilded Busts

Located in Atlanta, GA

A French Empire style painted wood four-drawer commode from the 19th century with ebonized columns

Category

Antique 19th Century French Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

French Empire Period Walnut & Brass Mounted Marble Top 3-Drawer Commode, ca 1810
French Empire Period Walnut & Brass Mounted Marble Top 3-Drawer Commode, ca 1810

French Empire Period Walnut & Brass Mounted Marble Top 3-Drawer Commode, ca 1810

Located in Atlanta, GA

The marble top resting atop the cabinet houisng three drawers, the front of the cabinet with half-round columns continuing to column shaped brass mounted feet.

Category

Antique 1810s French Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Walnut

Baker Furniture French Empire Walnut and Burl Wood Chest of Drawers, Refinished
Baker Furniture French Empire Walnut and Burl Wood Chest of Drawers, Refinished

Baker Furniture French Empire Walnut and Burl Wood Chest of Drawers, Refinished

By Baker Furniture Company

Located in South Bend, IN

A beautiful Neoclassical or French Empire style three-drawer commode or chest of drawers By

Category

Late 20th Century American Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Danish Empire Style Chest of Drawers, Gray Paint with Flower Decoration 1930s
Danish Empire Style Chest of Drawers, Gray Paint with Flower Decoration 1930s

Danish Empire Style Chest of Drawers, Gray Paint with Flower Decoration 1930s

By Josef Frank, Axel Einar Hjorth

Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg

Danish empire style corrugated three drawer chest on high legs made of solid pine wood. Handmade by

Category

Vintage 1930s Danish Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Pine, Paint

French Empire Style Small Size Chest of Drawers with Dark Grey Marble Top
French Empire Style Small Size Chest of Drawers with Dark Grey Marble Top

French Empire Style Small Size Chest of Drawers with Dark Grey Marble Top

Located in Atlanta, GA

A French 19th century Empire style four-drawer chest. This French chest of drawers from circa 1870

Category

Antique 19th Century French Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Bronze

Baker Midcentury French Empire Neoclassical Regency Syle 9-Drawer Dresser
Baker Midcentury French Empire Neoclassical Regency Syle 9-Drawer Dresser

Baker Midcentury French Empire Neoclassical Regency Syle 9-Drawer Dresser

By Baker Furniture Company

Located in Dayton, OH

Baker Furniture neoclassical inspired chest of drawers, circa 1960s . Made from Fruitwood with

Category

Vintage 1960s Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Fruitwood

Early 19th Century Italian Walnut Marquetry Two-Drawer Commode
Early 19th Century Italian Walnut Marquetry Two-Drawer Commode

Early 19th Century Italian Walnut Marquetry Two-Drawer Commode

Located in Dallas, TX

Add beautiful storage to your home with this antique chest of drawers. Crafted in Italy, circa 1820

Category

Antique Early 19th Century Italian Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Walnut

Tall Two-Drawer Desk or Chest
Tall Two-Drawer Desk or Chest

Tall Two-Drawer Desk or Chest

Located in Haddonfield, NJ

Tall two-drawer desk or chest $125 flat rate front door delivery includes Washington DC metro

Category

Antique Late 19th Century American American Empire Tables

Materials

Brass

Danish "Copenhagen-Model" Dresser, circa 1810
Danish "Copenhagen-Model" Dresser, circa 1810

Danish "Copenhagen-Model" Dresser, circa 1810

Located in Haddonfield, NJ

Stylish Danish Empire four-drawer chest, flanked by two brass-mounted columns. Commode is made of

Category

Antique Early 19th Century Danish Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Grosfeld House Empire Bleached Walnut and Brass Dresser
Grosfeld House Empire Bleached Walnut and Brass Dresser

Grosfeld House Empire Bleached Walnut and Brass Dresser

By Grosfeld House

Located in Chicago, IL

Empire style large six-drawer long chest with cast heavy brass rosette pulls to the upper four

Category

Vintage 1940s American Dressers

Materials

Brass

Six-Drawer Antique Empire Chest

Six-Drawer Antique Empire Chest

Located in New York City, NY

Six-drawer antique Empire chest with four large bottom drawers and two small drawers on top.

Category

20th Century Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Empire Danish Mahogany Three Drawer Chest
Empire Danish Mahogany Three Drawer Chest

Empire Danish Mahogany Three Drawer Chest

Located in San Marino, CA

A remarkable empire three drawer Danish mahogany chest from the early 19th century, that features

Category

Antique Early 19th Century Danish Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Four Drawer Late Empire Chest of Drawers
Four Drawer Late Empire Chest of Drawers

Four Drawer Late Empire Chest of Drawers

Located in New York City, NY

A late Empire chest of drawers with milk glass pulls and turned legs. American, 1st half of 19th

Category

Antique 19th Century American Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany, Glass

French Empire Chest
French Empire Chest

French Empire Chest

Located in Stamford, CT

French fruitwood four-drawer chest Empire period with brass mounts.

Category

Antique 1810s French Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

A 5 drawer French Empire style Mahogany Chest
A 5 drawer French Empire style Mahogany Chest

A 5 drawer French Empire style Mahogany Chest

Located in Hudson, NY

A French Empire Style Mahogany Chest, with 5 drawers

Category

Antique 19th Century Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

Mahogany Swedish 3 Drawer Empire Chest (Ref. 3737)
Mahogany Swedish 3 Drawer Empire Chest (Ref. 3737)

Mahogany Swedish 3 Drawer Empire Chest (Ref. 3737)

Located in San Francisco, CA

3 drawer chest supported by paw feet and ebonized columns banded in brass and brass classical head

Category

Antique 19th Century Swedish Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

An Austrian Empire Mahogany Six Drawer Tall Chest
An Austrian Empire Mahogany Six Drawer Tall Chest

An Austrian Empire Mahogany Six Drawer Tall Chest

Located in San Francisco, CA

The mahogany top with step front above an ebonized detail and six mahogany drawers; each centered by a playful gilt bronze escutcheon in Chinoiserie motif; flanked by carved wood eb...

Category

Antique 19th Century Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Bronze

Empire Chest
Empire Chest

Empire Chest

Sold|$9,740

Empire Chest

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Four drawer Empire Chest with a marble top.

Category

Antique 19th Century French Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Empire Chest
Empire Chest

Empire Chest

Sold|$4,800

Empire Chest

Located in Hudson, NY

Bow front four drawer empire style chest with brass escutcheons.

Category

Antique 19th Century Danish Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Empire Chest
Empire Chest

Empire Chest

Sold|$7,470

Empire Chest

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Three drawer Empire Chest in Walnut and inlay in different woods.

Category

Antique 18th Century and Earlier Danish Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Walnut

19th Century French Empire Style Flame Walnut Four Drawer Chest
19th Century French Empire Style Flame Walnut Four Drawer Chest

19th Century French Empire Style Flame Walnut Four Drawer Chest

Located in New Jersey City, NJ

The handsome 19th Century French four drawer chest has its original marble top. Rounded Empire

Category

Antique 19th Century French Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Early 19th Century Empire Flame Mahogany and Black Marble French Chest of Drawer
Early 19th Century Empire Flame Mahogany and Black Marble French Chest of Drawer

Early 19th Century Empire Flame Mahogany and Black Marble French Chest of Drawer

Located in Toledo, Castilla La Mancha

Wonderful French empire dresser commode, early 19th century. Flame mahogany, Belgian black marble

Category

Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Belgian Black Marble, Bronze

French Empire Chest
French Empire Chest

French Empire Chest

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

A Bronze Mounted French Empire 4 Drawer Chest In a Beautiful Old Weathered Worn Finish With a Black

Category

Antique 19th Century French Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

French Empire Mahogany Chest, circa 1880
French Empire Mahogany Chest, circa 1880

French Empire Mahogany Chest, circa 1880

Located in Paddock Wood, Kent

French Empire mahogany chest, circa 1880. A small three-drawer flame mahogany empire style chest

Category

Antique 1880s Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

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Empire Drawer Chest For Sale on 1stDibs

At 1stDibs, there are many versions of the ideal empire drawer chest for your home. An empire drawer chest — often made from wood, metal and walnut — can elevate any home. If you’re shopping for an empire drawer chest, we have 63 options in-stock, while there are 1 modern editions to choose from as well. There are many kinds of the empire drawer chest you’re looking for, from those produced as long ago as the 19th Century to those made as recently as the 21st Century. Each empire drawer chest bearing Empire or Neoclassical hallmarks is very popular. Many designers have produced at least one well-made empire drawer chest over the years, but those crafted by Baker Furniture Company, Henredon and Empire Furniture are often thought to be among the most beautiful.

How Much is a Empire Drawer Chest?

Prices for an empire drawer chest can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, they begin at $680 and can go as high as $30,174, while the average can fetch as much as $5,500.

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 Empire Drawer Chest
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    A bachelor’s chest of drawers is a relatively short and shallow chest, usually with three or four drawers. The name refers to their historical use as multi-purpose, space-saving fixtures that are perfect for a bachelor sharing a friend’s flat. On 1stDibs, you’ll find a collection of antique and modern bachelor’s chests from some of the world’s top sellers.
  • 1stDibs ExpertOctober 26, 2021
    A chest of drawers is also sometimes known as a dresser or a bureau. It is a cabinet with several parallel horizontal drawers stacked on top of one another. A chest of drawers is frequently used to store clothing and a variety of personal items. Shop a collection of antique, vintage, and contemporary chests of drawers from some of the world’s top dealers on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertNovember 4, 2024
    To identify an antique chest of drawers, look inside and beneath drawers and on the back and bottom for any type of maker's marking. Researching these marks using trusted online resources may allow you to determine who produced your chest and roughly date your piece. If your chest is at least 100 years old, it is an antique. Should you be unable to locate the maker's marks, look at the hardware. Rose head nails, one-piece cast brass pommels on the drawer handles and circular rather than hexagonal bolts may all indicate that a piece is an antique. Keep in mind that hardware may have been replaced at some point and that there are many reproductions of antique furnishings. As a result, you may wish to have a certified appraiser or experienced antique dealer complete the identification process if you're unable to identify your chest via the maker's markings. Find a range of antique chests of drawers on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    A man’s chest of drawers is also known as a gentleman’s chest. It is characterized by its tall cabinet section that hangs clothes like suits and pants, and also features a column of drawers. Shop a collection of gentleman’s chests from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    The first chest of drawers was invented by Chinese physician Hua Tuo during the 3rd century. In the west, chests of drawers began to appear during the 17th century and rose in popularity from there. On 1stDibs, you’ll find a collection of antique chests of drawers from some of the world’s top sellers.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021
    A low chest of drawers is called a lowboy. A lowboy sits at waist height and was a prominent piece of bedroom furniture in the 18th century. These low chests of drawers were a clothing storage solution before tallboys and highboys came into fashion. On 1stDibs, there is a variety of antique and vintage low chests of drawers available for sale.
  • 1stDibs ExpertOctober 19, 2021
    A tall chest of drawers is known as a standard chest of drawers and also as a vertical chest. These are tall and narrow storage pieces. On 1stDibs, find a variety of antique and vintage tall chests of drawers.
  • 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 23, 2024
    What a large chest of drawers is called depends on its proportions. In the United States, a wide piece about waist-high is usually called a dresser. A tall, thin chest of drawers is typically referred to as a highboy. On 1stDibs, you can find a large selection of antique, vintage and contemporary chests of drawers.
  • 1stDibs ExpertNovember 2, 2021
    A chest of drawers with a mirror attached is called a bureau. This type of case piece is usually waist-high with a mirror that rests on the top of the structure. They are mainly used in bedrooms. Shop a collection of antique, vintage, and contemporary chests of drawers from some of the world’s top dealers on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertNovember 2, 2021
    Dressers are designed to offer a place for you to dress, with the top functioning as a table on which to place your clothing. It will offer space for a mirror, whereas chests of drawers are typically exactly that — they provide ample storage while taking up little floor space. A dresser is usually wide and short, while a chest of drawers is narrow and tall. Both types of furniture are commonly used to store clothing and other items in drawers. Shop a collection of antique, vintage, and contemporary dressers and chests of drawers from some of the world’s top dealers on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 1, 2024
    Yes, there is a difference between a dresser and a chest of drawers. 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.

    Although the name immediately invokes images of clothing, dressers were initially created in Europe for a much different purpose. This type of case piece was originally a flat-surfaced, low-profile side table equipped with a few drawers — a common fixture used to dress and prepare meats in English kitchens throughout the Tudor period. 

    Find antique and vintage dressers for sale on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertAugust 26, 2024
    The difference between a bureau, a chest of drawers and a dresser comes down to shape and function. Dressers and chests of drawers are both types of bedroom furniture that feature storage drawers. However, bureaus tend to be wider and shorter, while chests of drawers are narrower and taller. Often used for storage outside of bedrooms, bureaus are usually about the same height as dressers but are shorter than chests of drawers. Find a wide range of casegoods on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 3, 2023
    Yes, a chest of drawers can be used as a bedside table, provided that you have enough space beside your bed to accommodate it. If you want to be able to easily reach items on the top of the chest, choose a piece that is about 2 to 4 inches taller than your mattress. Shop a variety of bedroom furniture on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertOctober 7, 2024
    The difference between a dresser, a bureau and a chest of drawers is where you place these furnishings and their overall shapes and designs. Usually positioned in a bedroom, a dresser is a wide, low casegood consisting of two or more columns of drawers. When this type of furniture is placed in a living room, office, library or other space beyond the bedroom, people normally refer to it as a bureau. Another type of bedroom furnishing is a chest of drawers, which is a tall vertical column of drawers stacked one above the other. On 1stDibs, shop a diverse assortment of dressers, bureaus and chests of drawers.

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