French Empire Semainier Tall Chest of Drawers
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A classic early French Empire semainier in Mahogany, each of the seven drawers (intended to be used one for each day of the week), has ebony inlay around each of the gilded lion’s ma...
Mahogany
French Empire Miniature Semainier Chest, Walnut & Brass, Circa 1800
Located in Winter Park, FL
An early 19th century French Empire Period miniature semainier chest finished in rich matched flame walnut veneers.
Brass
19th C. French Empire Style Ormolu Mounted Semainier Tall Chest
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
A classic French Empire style Semainier Tall Chest in mahogany and bronze ormolu with seven drawers framed with fluted columns and fine gilded escutcheon.
Bronze
Drexel Heritage French Empire Carved Fruitwood Lingerie Chest or Semainier
By Drexel
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous French Empire or Louis XVI style highboy dresser, lingerie chest, or semainier By Drexel Heritage USA, Circa Late 20th Century Fruitwood, with carved columns, and origi...
Brass
Maitland-Smith 7-Drawer Empire-Style Semainier
Located in Blacksburg, VA
Maitland-Smith 7-Drawer Empire-Style Semainier. A lingerie chest designed as a Semainier which contains a drawer for every day of the week.
Wood
Empire Semainier Chest of Drawers Painted Tall Boy 1880
Located in Potters Bar, GB
You are viewing a gorgeous French Empire semainier - or tall boy Semainier refers to the fact that there are seven drawers - one for each day of the week - semaine Very on trend with...
Marble
Empire Semainier Chest of Drawers Painted Tall Boy 1880
Located in Potters Bar, GB
You are viewing a gorgeous French Empire semainier - or tall boy Semainier refers to the fact that there are seven drawers - one for each day of the week - semaine Very on trend with...
Marble
Danish Late Empire Semainier
Located in New York, NY
A Danish Late Empire birchwood semainier, Second Quarter 19th Century, in two parts: the rectangular top with an overhanging molding above seven long graduated drawers, the top drawe...
Birch
19th Century French Empire Semainier Chest of Drawers
Located in Dusseldorf, DE
A 19th century French Empire high chest of drawers, so-called "semainier".
Granite, Brass
Early 19th c. French Empire Semainier or Chest
Located in Winter Park, FL
A fine Empire chest made of flamed mahogany and original brass hardware ( polished and lacquered), retaining its white marble, six dovetailed drawers. Oak as secondary wood. For man...
Brass
Empire Semainier, France, Second Half of the 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Tall chest of drawers with seven drawers and rounded, fluted corners, standing on conical feet with brass sabots. The top drawer is accentuated with brass fittings and the top is fra...
Brass
Semainier Empire Period Early 19th
Located in SAINT-CLÉMENT-DE-LA-PLACE, FR
Semainier Empire period early 19th. This very functional piece of furniture was very popular with the bourgeois women.
Wood
Period French Empire Mahogany Semainier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This period Empire mahogany semainier is in three parts to facilitate moving it about.
Bronze
19th Century French Empire Flame Mahogany Semainier
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A nicely-proportioned simple French mid-19th century tall seven-drawer chest or 'semainier', the drawer fronts veneered with bookmatched dramatically-figured flame mahogany, the top ...
Mahogany
French 19th Century Empire Style Mahogany Semainier
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
Semainiers were originally created in the 18th Century with 7 drawers to hold a week’s supply of clothing.
Metal, Brass
Sold
H 63 in W 29.5 in L 63 in
Early 19th Century French Empire Walnut and Marble Semainier Chest of Drawers
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a bedroom or dressing room with this antique fruitwood Semainier with walnut veneer. Crafted in France circa 1820, the tall and narrow chest stands on rounded front feet; th...
Marble
19th Century French Empire Seven Drawer Chest of Drawers 'Semainier'
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
Unusually small-scale French Louis Philippe flame mahogany seven drawer chest or 'semainier' having seven oak-lined graduated drawers. A clean-lined nicely-proportioned piece; smooth...
Mahogany
Sold
H 66.25 in W 50.5 in D 23.25 in
A Massive French Second Empire Period 19th Century Walnut Semainier
Located in Atlanta, GA
rectangular top above a conforming case housing one upper hidden drawer and seven drawers of equal size, flanked by two columns with finely cast brass capitals, resting on block feet...
Brass
19th Century Mahogany Semainier Chest
Located in Martlesham, GB
A lovely quality 19th century French mahogany semainier chest of drawers, the top having a moulded edge with a fantastic pink and veined figured marble top, with panelled and moulded...
Marble
19th Century French Mahogany Semainier Tall Chest
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Early 19th century French mahogany semainier chest, with a grey marble top sitting on a moulded edge above seven oak lined drawers with original lion mask ring handles and shield sha...
Mahogany
Dutch 19th Century Empire Mahogany Semainier
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A handsome 19th century Empire semainier from the Netherlands. Semainiers are fitted with seven drawers to provide clothing or lingerie storage everyday of the week.
Brass
French 19th Century Empire Mahogany Semainier
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A 19th century French Empire mahogany semainier featuring artful neoclassical hardware.
Marble, Brass
Sold
H 53.5 in W 31 in D 16.5 in
19th Century French Empire Marble Top Mahogany Semainier Chest of Drawers
Located in Dallas, TX
Coming from the French word "Semaine", ("week" in English) a typical Semainier has seven drawers for storing a week supply of lingerie, shirts.
Marble, Brass
Charming 19th Century Cabinet "Semainier"
Located in Stockbridge, GA
Charming 19th century French Empire cabinet "Semainier".
Mahogany
French 19th Century Solid Walnut Semainier
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This wonderful French 19th century, solid walnut semainier is the perfect way to add more organizational storage to your space without sacrificing style. The design of the semainier ...
Metal, Brass
A German Empire Semainier Chest of Drawers c. 1820
Located in London, GB
A German Semainier chest of drawers on on a platform base, six drawers with gilt lion ring handles and swords and stars key escutcheon.
Mahogany
A Russian Empire Semainier Chest of Drawers Circa 1810 - 1820
Located in London, GB
A Russian Semainier chest of drawers on scroll feet, six drawers with gilt lion ring handles and swords and stars key escutcheon, the seventh top stepped drawer set off by a band mou...
Metal
19th C. Empire Mahogany Semainier
Located in London, GB
A tallboy chest of drawers on on a platform base, seven drawers with gilt lion ring handles
Mahogany
Empire style mahogany semainier
Located in Hudson, NY
Empire style mahogany semainier with brass bead gold leaf fluting details and diamond pattern escutcheons.
Brass, Gold Leaf
19th Century French Semainier with Marble Top
Located in San Francisco, CA
19th Century French Semainier with Marble Top Pulls are replacements
$2,250
H 34.5 in W 42 in D 16 in
Drexel Heritage French Empire Style Walnut Burl Marble Top Commode Chest Dresser
By Drexel
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage Drexel Heritage French Empire Style Commode, Console or Chest of Drawers. Features a rectangular form made from walnut with lacquered and gilt columns and a marble top. The...
Marble, Brass
$3,048Sale Price|30% Off
H 35.44 in W 42.13 in D 21.66 in
Louis XVI Commode, Walnut & Marble, France, Circa 1810
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
An exquisite, early 19th century Louis XVI style two-drawer 'Commode Sauteuse', with a white marble top and gilt bronze fittings. This curiously named style of commode always feature...
Marble, Bronze
French 19th Century Mahogany Empire Buffet
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A French Empire (19th century) buffet made of rich flamed, bookmatched mahogany. The original Saint Anne marble top of charcoal stone with gray and white veining is removable. Below ...
Marble, Brass
$12,000Sale Price|20% Off
H 63.39 in W 38.19 in D 21.66 in
Biedermeier Secretary Desk, South German, 1820
Located in Belmont, MA
Biedermeier secretary desk, South German 1820. This unique and very beautiful secretary desk dates back to the early phase of the Biedermeier style. It has a beautiful walnut veneer ...
Elm, Walnut
Pair of Large Early 19th Century Italian Empire Walnut Commodes
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of large early 19th century Italian Empire walnut commodes with ebonized columns, bronze doré hardware, and three drawers.
Walnut
$7,800
H 56.25 in W 38 in D 16 in
Early 19th Century French Empire Flame Mahogany Drop Front Secretary Desk
Located in Miami, FL
Classic antique Early 19th Century French Empire drop front secretary desk made with magnificent high quality flame mahogany adorned with bronze doré mounts and its original gray mar...
Bronze
English Regency Mahogany Dining Table
Located in Queens, NY
English Regency mahogany round dining table with a molded edge supported on a pedestal base with 4 gilt claw legs and green painted trim.
Gold Leaf
$14,512
H 46.46 in W 45.67 in D 24.41 in
Late 18th Century German Louis XVI Secretary, Walnut, Marquetry, Cylinder Desk
Located in Greven, DE
Louis XVI cylinder desk with marquetry Germany (Westphalia) Walnut etc. Classicism around 1795 Dimensions: H x W x D: 118 x 116 x 62 cm Description: Beautiful writing fur...
Maple, Oak, Walnut
Biedermeier Semainier or Tallboy Chest on Chest of Flame Mahogany
Located in Austin, TX
A fine Danish semainier or tall boy (chest-on-chest) from the 19th century, featuring a Biedermeier design of flame-cut mahogany - canopy top over seven graduating, locking drawers w...
Metal, Brass
Louis XVI Rolltop Desk, France 1780, Mahogany
Located in Belmont, MA
Louis XVI Rolltop or cylinder desk, France, 1780. This original Louis XVI cylinder desk has an elegant mahogany veneer with satinwood inlays. It has five exterior drawers. Behind the...
Mahogany, Satinwood
19th Century French Empire Commode
Located in Madrid, ES
XIX Century Empire Commode 19th CENTURY EMPIRE CHEST. LARGE FRENCH EMPIRE CHEST IN MAHOGANY AND DECORATED WITH GOLDEN BRONZE.130X59X89 CM
Mahogany
$26,000 / set
H 36 in W 49 in D 23 in
A fine pair of walnut 19th century Louis Philippe marble top commodes
Located in Dallas, TX
A very fine pair of French Louis Philippe walnut marble top commodes. Very fine figured walnut. Carrera marble tops . Original keys and locks
Carrara Marble
$3,278Sale Price|20% Off
H 59.06 in W 42.13 in D 18.9 in
Antique Biedermeier Tall Chest of Drawers/Chiffoniere, Mahogany with Maple, circ
Located in Berlin, DE
Antique Biedermeier Tall Chest of Drawers/Chiffoniere, Mahogany with Maple, circa 1830 Solid wood, mahogany veneer with maple on softwood Tall, rectangular body with 8 drawer front...
Mahogany, Maple, Softwood
19th Century Tester Bed
Located in New Orleans, LA
This lavish American tester bed exhibits superior craftsmanship and detail. The design is embellished with elaborate carvings on the headboard and sides. The stunning wood grain enha...
Silk, Wood
$2,595
H 48 in W 26 in D 15 in
French Regency Louis XVI Cherry Wood Lingerie Chest by National Mt. Airy
By Mount Airy Furniture Company
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous French Regency Louis XVI style five-drawer highboy dresser or lingerie chest By National Mount Airy Furniture Co. USA, Circa 1960s Carved cherry wood, with original bra...
Brass
$4,995 / set
H 38.25 in W 27.5 in D 28.5 in
Time-worn Antique French Louis 18th century Carved Walnut Bergere Chairs
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This remarkable pair of time-worn antique French Louis 18th century bergere chairs exudes authentic character, charm, and the unmistakable patina of age. Crafted from finely carved w...
Walnut
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.