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French Bombe Cabinet

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Late 18th Century Walnut Bombé Commode
Late 18th Century Walnut Bombé Commode

Late 18th Century Walnut Bombé Commode

$8,065Sale Price|23% Off

H 34.5 in W 52.5 in D 25.5 in

Late 18th Century Walnut Bombé Commode

Located in London, GB

A late 18th century three drawer walnut bombé commode, with steel handles and escutcheons

Category

Antique Late 18th Century French Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Walnut

19th Century French Kingwood Bombe Commode with Marble Top in Louis XV Style
19th Century French Kingwood Bombe Commode with Marble Top in Louis XV Style

19th Century French Kingwood Bombe Commode with Marble Top in Louis XV Style

$8,917Sale Price|40% Off

H 33.08 in W 43.31 in D 19.69 in

19th Century French Kingwood Bombe Commode with Marble Top in Louis XV Style

Located in Sofia, BG

19th century French kingwood bombe commode with red marble top in Louis XV style, with scrolling

Category

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

Materials

Kingwood

Vintage French Louis XV Style Bombe Commode Chest with Green Marble Style Top
Vintage French Louis XV Style Bombe Commode Chest with Green Marble Style Top

Vintage French Louis XV Style Bombe Commode Chest with Green Marble Style Top

Located in Chicago, IL

Vintage French Louis XV Style Bombe Commode Chest with Green Marble Style Top This vintage Louis

Category

Mid-20th Century French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Ormolu

Antique French Provincial Walnut Bombe Chest with Metal Inlay, circa 1780-1810
Antique French Provincial Walnut Bombe Chest with Metal Inlay, circa 1780-1810

Antique French Provincial Walnut Bombe Chest with Metal Inlay, circa 1780-1810

Located in New Orleans, LA

This wonderful piece has superb pewter, brass and exotic wood inlay. It is a very fine piece that has worn its age very, very well.

Category

Antique Late 18th Century French Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Walnut

Louis XV Style Bombe Secretary Inlaid Marquetry, Signed, Henry Dasson.
Louis XV Style Bombe Secretary Inlaid Marquetry, Signed, Henry Dasson.

Louis XV Style Bombe Secretary Inlaid Marquetry, Signed, Henry Dasson.

$7,200Sale Price|44% Off

H 51 in W 22 in D 13 in

Louis XV Style Bombe Secretary Inlaid Marquetry, Signed, Henry Dasson.

By Gervais Durand

Located in Vero Beach, FL

Louis XV style bombe secretary inlaid marquetry, Ormolu Mounted. Signed Henry Dasson. This 19th

Category

Antique 19th Century French Louis XV Secretaires

Materials

Bronze

Louis XV Marble Top Bombe Chest
Louis XV Marble Top Bombe Chest

Louis XV Marble Top Bombe Chest

$4,395

H 32 in W 39 in D 18 in

Louis XV Marble Top Bombe Chest

Located in Portland, OR

Antique French Louis XV marble top bombe chest imported from Europe. Incredible intricate patterned

Category

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

Materials

Marble

Fine French Louis XV Style Ormolu-Mounted Bombe Commode Manner of François Linke
Fine French Louis XV Style Ormolu-Mounted Bombe Commode Manner of François Linke

Fine French Louis XV Style Ormolu-Mounted Bombe Commode Manner of François Linke

$49,850Sale Price|33% Off

H 36.25 in W 54.25 in D 22.75 in

Fine French Louis XV Style Ormolu-Mounted Bombe Commode Manner of François Linke

By François Linke

Located in Los Angeles, CA

A very fine French 19th-20th century Louis XV style burr walnut, kingwood and satinwood floral

Category

Antique Early 1900s French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Midcentury Black Lacquered French Louis XV Style Bombe Chest Att. To Bodart
Midcentury Black Lacquered French Louis XV Style Bombe Chest Att. To Bodart

Midcentury Black Lacquered French Louis XV Style Bombe Chest Att. To Bodart

By Jacques Bodart

Located in Kennesaw, GA

This is a French Louis XV Style black lacquered cabinet attributed to Bodart. It dates to the late

Category

Late 20th Century Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Reproduction French Louis XV Style Pink Marble Top Bombe Commode Dresser Chest
Reproduction French Louis XV Style Pink Marble Top Bombe Commode Dresser Chest

Reproduction French Louis XV Style Pink Marble Top Bombe Commode Dresser Chest

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Reproduction French Louis XV Style Pink Marble Top Bombe Commode Dresser Chest. Item features a

Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble

19th Century French Louis XV Style Marquetry and Ormolu Bombe Chest of Drawers
19th Century French Louis XV Style Marquetry and Ormolu Bombe Chest of Drawers

19th Century French Louis XV Style Marquetry and Ormolu Bombe Chest of Drawers

Located in Vancouver, British Columbia

A very fine example of French 19th century Louis XV style Bombe two drawer chest commode. The oak

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Kingwood, Oak

18th Century French Louis XV Walnut Inlay Bombe Chest of Drawers with Marble Top
18th Century French Louis XV Walnut Inlay Bombe Chest of Drawers with Marble Top

18th Century French Louis XV Walnut Inlay Bombe Chest of Drawers with Marble Top

Located in Dallas, TX

Crafted in Burgundy France circa 1750, the antique fruitwood commode stands on curved feet ending

Category

Antique Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble, Bronze

French Louis XV Style Bombe Burlwood 3-Drawer Commode with Carved Details
French Louis XV Style Bombe Burlwood 3-Drawer Commode with Carved Details

French Louis XV Style Bombe Burlwood 3-Drawer Commode with Carved Details

Located in Seattle, WA

A beautifully crafted possibly antique French Louis XV style bombe commode featuring an elegant

Category

Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Burl

Mid 18th Century French Louis XV Walnut Commode w/ Bombe Form & Grey Marble Top
Mid 18th Century French Louis XV Walnut Commode w/ Bombe Form & Grey Marble Top

Mid 18th Century French Louis XV Walnut Commode w/ Bombe Form & Grey Marble Top

Located in Atlanta, GA

Mid 18th Century French Louis XV Walnut Commode with Bombe Form & Grey Marble Top

Category

Antique 18th Century French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble

Louis XV Provincial Walnut Bombe Commode
Louis XV Provincial Walnut Bombe Commode

Louis XV Provincial Walnut Bombe Commode

$12,500

H 40 in W 50.5 in D 27.88 in

Louis XV Provincial Walnut Bombe Commode

Located in Essex, MA

With serpentine top over three drawers with original handles and a carved floral pierced apron raised on carved scrolled feet. Provenance; Fogg Estate, Chestnut Hill, Mass.

Category

Antique Mid-18th Century French French Provincial Commodes and Chests of...

Vintage Century Furniture Bombe Chest of Drawers
Vintage Century Furniture Bombe Chest of Drawers

Vintage Century Furniture Bombe Chest of Drawers

$796Sale Price|20% Off

H 31.5 in W 42 in D 20.5 in

Vintage Century Furniture Bombe Chest of Drawers

By Century Furniture

Located in Lake Worth, FL

Beach Estate Fine Furniture Acquisitions of An Elegant vintage three-drawer bombe chest by Century

Category

Vintage 1970s French Provincial Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Evan Lewis Modern French Louis XV Marble Top Copper Bombe Chest
Evan Lewis Modern French Louis XV Marble Top Copper Bombe Chest

Evan Lewis Modern French Louis XV Marble Top Copper Bombe Chest

By Evan Lewis

Located in South Bend, IN

A gorgeous modern French Louis XV style bombay chest or commode By Evan Lewis Inc. USA, Circa

Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble, Copper, Steel

Louis XV Style Walnut Marquetry Bombe Commode
Louis XV Style Walnut Marquetry Bombe Commode

Louis XV Style Walnut Marquetry Bombe Commode

$1,800Sale Price|23% Off

H 35.75 in W 51 in D 22 in

Louis XV Style Walnut Marquetry Bombe Commode

Located in Astoria, NY

Louis XV Style Walnut Marquetry Bombe Commode, 19th century, with breccia pernice serpentine marble

Category

Antique 19th Century French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Breccia Marble, Bronze

19th Century Bombe Marquetry Secrétaire à Abattant, Marble Top and Bronze Mounts
19th Century Bombe Marquetry Secrétaire à Abattant, Marble Top and Bronze Mounts

19th Century Bombe Marquetry Secrétaire à Abattant, Marble Top and Bronze Mounts

Located in Miami, FL

19th century bombe marquetry secrétaire à abattant, marble top and bronze mounts. Offered for sale

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XV Secretaires

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Bombe French Marble-Top Bronze Ormolu Louis XV Style 3 Drawers Dresser Commode
Bombe French Marble-Top Bronze Ormolu Louis XV Style 3 Drawers Dresser Commode

Bombe French Marble-Top Bronze Ormolu Louis XV Style 3 Drawers Dresser Commode

Located in Rockaway, NJ

Stunning rouge marble-top French inlayed wood dresser with significant bronze ormolu. Very nice

Category

20th Century American French Provincial Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Satinwood

Louis XV Style Kingwood Parquetry Bombe Commode
Louis XV Style Kingwood Parquetry Bombe Commode

Louis XV Style Kingwood Parquetry Bombe Commode

$1,440Sale Price|20% Off

H 33 in W 46 in D 20 in

Louis XV Style Kingwood Parquetry Bombe Commode

Located in Astoria, NY

Louis XV Style Gilt Metal Mounted Kingwood Parquetry Marble Top Bombe Commode, 20th century, the

Category

20th Century French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble, Metal

Vintage Distressed Marquetry and Ormolu Bombe Chest
Vintage Distressed Marquetry and Ormolu Bombe Chest

Vintage Distressed Marquetry and Ormolu Bombe Chest

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

This spectacular vintage commode captures the lavish spirit of the French Louis XV Rococo style

Category

Mid-20th Century American French Provincial Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble, Brass, Bronze

French Louis XV Style Mahogany & Birdseye Maple Bombe Commode Chest of Drawers
French Louis XV Style Mahogany & Birdseye Maple Bombe Commode Chest of Drawers

French Louis XV Style Mahogany & Birdseye Maple Bombe Commode Chest of Drawers

Located in Dayton, OH

20th century French Louis XV style serpentine marble commode / Chest of Drawers / Dresser. Made

Category

Late 20th Century Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble

French Commode/ Chest Bombe’ Form with Marquetry Inlay and Bronze Mounts 19th C
French Commode/ Chest Bombe’ Form with Marquetry Inlay and Bronze Mounts 19th C

French Commode/ Chest Bombe’ Form with Marquetry Inlay and Bronze Mounts 19th C

Located in Houston, TX

Rouge marble top commode/chest of drawers having three drawers. Intricate floral marquetry inlay in Satinwood and tulipwood. Bronze mounts on front corner and at center bottom. Sabo...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Kingwood, Satinwood, Tulipwood

French Late 18th C. Curvy Bombé Front Chest w/Fabulous Paw Feet w/"Fur" Ankles
French Late 18th C. Curvy Bombé Front Chest w/Fabulous Paw Feet w/"Fur" Ankles

French Late 18th C. Curvy Bombé Front Chest w/Fabulous Paw Feet w/"Fur" Ankles

Located in Atlanta, GA

A French bombé style painted wood commode from the turn of the 18th and 19th century. This antique

Category

Antique Early 19th Century French Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Small Italian Jewelry Chest Burl Olive Wood French Louis XV Style Bombe Commode
Small Italian Jewelry Chest Burl Olive Wood French Louis XV Style Bombe Commode

Small Italian Jewelry Chest Burl Olive Wood French Louis XV Style Bombe Commode

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Small Italian Jewelry Chest, Burl Olive Wood French Louis XV Style Bombe Commode. Item features

Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood, Burl

20th Century French Louis XV Marble-Top Bombe Chest or Commode with Two Drawers
20th Century French Louis XV Marble-Top Bombe Chest or Commode with Two Drawers

20th Century French Louis XV Marble-Top Bombe Chest or Commode with Two Drawers

Located in Miami, FL

grey with molded edge and notched corners, all with rosewood and tulipwood crossbanding and the bombe

Category

Early 20th Century French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble, Bronze

French Louis XV Style Inlaid Marble Top Bombe Commode Chest with Bronze Figures
French Louis XV Style Inlaid Marble Top Bombe Commode Chest with Bronze Figures

French Louis XV Style Inlaid Marble Top Bombe Commode Chest with Bronze Figures

Located in Philadelphia, PA

French Louis XV Style Inlaid Marble Top Bombe Commode Chest with Bronze Figures. Item features

Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble, Bronze

French Louis XV Style Marble Top Bombe Commode / Chest with Bronze Ormolu
French Louis XV Style Marble Top Bombe Commode / Chest with Bronze Ormolu

French Louis XV Style Marble Top Bombe Commode / Chest with Bronze Ormolu

Located in Kennesaw, GA

This is a French Louis XV style commode with a lovely Sienna marble top. The ormolu appears to be a

Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Exceptional Louis XV Style Marquetry Bombe Commode
Exceptional Louis XV Style Marquetry Bombe Commode

Exceptional Louis XV Style Marquetry Bombe Commode

Located in Vancouver, British Columbia

rosewood. The serpentine shaped, beveled marble top rests above three bombe front drawers with original

Category

Antique Early 19th Century French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Louis XV Bombé Chest of Drawers, 19th Century
Louis XV Bombé Chest of Drawers, 19th Century

Louis XV Bombé Chest of Drawers, 19th Century

$13,076Sale Price|25% Off

H 34.06 in W 45.28 in D 21.07 in

Louis XV Bombé Chest of Drawers, 19th Century

Located in Lisbon, PT

A kingwood commode with a bombé front, two drawers spanning the full width of the piece, and two

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble, Brass, Bronze

19th Century Louis XVI Style Bombe Commode
19th Century Louis XVI Style Bombe Commode

19th Century Louis XVI Style Bombe Commode

$6,258

H 32.68 in W 44.89 in D 21.26 in

19th Century Louis XVI Style Bombe Commode

Located in Brighton, Sussex

A good quality late 19th century marquetry inlaid kingwood commode, having its original marble-top, two large drawers, ormolu mounts and handles and raised on out swept legs.

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XIV Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Kingwood

Bombe French Marble Top Bronze Ormolu Louis XV Style 4 Drawers Dresser Commode
Bombe French Marble Top Bronze Ormolu Louis XV Style 4 Drawers Dresser Commode

Bombe French Marble Top Bronze Ormolu Louis XV Style 4 Drawers Dresser Commode

Located in Rockaway, NJ

Stunning rouge marble top French inlayed wood dresser with significant bronze ormolu. Very nice

Category

20th Century European Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Hardwood, Walnut

Mid-18th Century Louis XV Bombe Shaped Chestnut Provincial Commode
Mid-18th Century Louis XV Bombe Shaped Chestnut Provincial Commode

Mid-18th Century Louis XV Bombe Shaped Chestnut Provincial Commode

Located in Benington, Herts

A rare 18th century Louis XV period bombe shaped chestnut provincial commode. French circa 1750

Category

Antique Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Antique Louis XV Style Provincial Walnut Bombe Chest of Drawers
Antique Louis XV Style Provincial Walnut Bombe Chest of Drawers

Antique Louis XV Style Provincial Walnut Bombe Chest of Drawers

Located in Laguna Beach, CA

Antique Louis XV style provincial bombe walnut chest of drawers, 19th century. With a two board

Category

Antique 19th Century French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Louis XIV Style Kingwood, Ormolu, Marble & Satinwood Inlaid Bombe Commode 20thC
Louis XIV Style Kingwood, Ormolu, Marble & Satinwood Inlaid Bombe Commode 20thC

Louis XIV Style Kingwood, Ormolu, Marble & Satinwood Inlaid Bombe Commode 20thC

Located in Big Flats, NY

French Louis XIV Style Kingwood, Ormolu and Satinwood Inlaid Bombay Commode with Green Marble Top

Category

20th Century French Louis XIV Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

Louis XV Style Parquetry Bombé Commode by François Linke, Circa 1900
Louis XV Style Parquetry Bombé Commode by François Linke, Circa 1900

Louis XV Style Parquetry Bombé Commode by François Linke, Circa 1900

By François Linke

Located in Brighton, West Sussex

A superb Louis XV style bombé commode by François Linke, signed “F. Linke,” with mounts stamped “FL

Category

Antique 19th Century French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

19th Century Pair of  Marble Top Bombe Shaped Chests or Commodes
19th Century Pair of  Marble Top Bombe Shaped Chests or Commodes

19th Century Pair of Marble Top Bombe Shaped Chests or Commodes

Located in Dublin, IE

A very rare pair of 19th Century marble top mahogany chests or commodes of bombe form. This

Category

Antique 19th Century French Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble

Pair of Louis XV–Style Painted Bombe Commodes with Carved Rococo Ornament
Pair of Louis XV–Style Painted Bombe Commodes with Carved Rococo Ornament

Pair of Louis XV–Style Painted Bombe Commodes with Carved Rococo Ornament

Located in Los Angeles, CA

A wonderfully decorative pair of Louis XV–style bombe commodes, richly carved and finished in an

Category

Mid-20th Century French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood, Paint

19th C. Louis XV Style Bombe Commode / Dresser, Marble Top, Marquetry Detailing
19th C. Louis XV Style Bombe Commode / Dresser, Marble Top, Marquetry Detailing

19th C. Louis XV Style Bombe Commode / Dresser, Marble Top, Marquetry Detailing

Located in Madrid, ES

A nicely proportioned 19th century French Louis XV style bombe commode, featuring elegantly curved

Category

Antique 19th Century French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Ormolu

18th C. Walnut Bordelaise Commode Bombé with Breccia Macchia Vecchia Marble Top
18th C. Walnut Bordelaise Commode Bombé with Breccia Macchia Vecchia Marble Top

18th C. Walnut Bordelaise Commode Bombé with Breccia Macchia Vecchia Marble Top

Located in Dallas, TX

Masterfully hand-carved in Bordeaux, France, during the 1700s, this walnut commode has tremendous

Category

Antique 18th Century French Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Stone, Marble, Breccia Marble

Exquisite Inlaid Bombe Chest of Drawers with Marble Top and Bronze Dore Hardware
Exquisite Inlaid Bombe Chest of Drawers with Marble Top and Bronze Dore Hardware

Exquisite Inlaid Bombe Chest of Drawers with Marble Top and Bronze Dore Hardware

Located in Hopewell, NJ

This piece is not a typical French bombe chest. The deep, rich color and the extent of the floral

Category

Vintage 1920s French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Late 19th Century Louis XV Style Bronze and Marquetry Petit Bombe Commode
Late 19th Century Louis XV Style Bronze and Marquetry Petit Bombe Commode

Late 19th Century Louis XV Style Bronze and Marquetry Petit Bombe Commode

$7,196Sale Price|37% Off

H 31.89 in W 36.23 in D 18.12 in

Late 19th Century Louis XV Style Bronze and Marquetry Petit Bombe Commode

Located in Darmstadt, DE

Fine French late 19th century Louis XV style around 1890 fruitwood floral marquetry and bronze

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Pair of Late 19th Century Louis XV Style Petit Bombe Chest of Drawers
Pair of Late 19th Century Louis XV Style Petit Bombe Chest of Drawers

Pair of Late 19th Century Louis XV Style Petit Bombe Chest of Drawers

$9,619Sale Price / set|50% Off

H 33.47 in W 43.31 in D 20.48 in

Pair of Late 19th Century Louis XV Style Petit Bombe Chest of Drawers

Located in Darmstadt, DE

Fine French late 19th century Louis XV style around 1890 fruitwood floral marquetry and bronze

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Large French 19th Century Louis XVI Style Vitrine by Francoise Linke
Large French 19th Century Louis XVI Style Vitrine by Francoise Linke

Large French 19th Century Louis XVI Style Vitrine by Francoise Linke

By François Linke

Located in Brighton, Sussex

A fine quality late 19th century French bombe shaped display cabinet in the Louis XVI style, having

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Vitrines

Materials

Mahogany

Pair of French Commodes Bombe' Form with Elaborate Bronze Mounts
Pair of French Commodes Bombe' Form with Elaborate Bronze Mounts

Pair of French Commodes Bombe' Form with Elaborate Bronze Mounts

$23,200Sale Price / set|20% Off

H 35 in W 50 in D 21.5 in

Pair of French Commodes Bombe' Form with Elaborate Bronze Mounts

Located in Houston, TX

Pair of fine French commodes with exuberant bronze mounts on both fronts And sides. They have a

Category

Mid-20th Century French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

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French Bombe Cabinet For Sale on 1stDibs

With a vast inventory of beautiful furniture at 1stDibs, we’ve got just the French bombe cabinet you’re looking for. A French bombe cabinet — often made from wood, stone and marble — can elevate any home. Whether you’re looking for an older or newer French bombe cabinet, there are earlier versions available from the 18th Century and newer variations made as recently as the 21st Century. A French bombe cabinet, designed in the Louis XV, Louis XVI or Rococo style, is generally a popular piece of furniture. A well-made French bombe cabinet has long been a part of the offerings for many furniture designers and manufacturers, but those produced by Maison Jansen, Roma Furniture Co. and Auffray Furniture are consistently popular.

How Much is a French Bombe Cabinet?

The average selling price for a French bombe cabinet at 1stDibs is $4,800, while they’re typically $500 on the low end and $127,691 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.

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