Louis XVI Transitional to Directoire Plum Pudding Mahogany Commode
Located in Nashville, TN
With hand-hewn Carrara marble top. The drawer fronts of bleached plum pudding mahogany against a frame of brown mahogany (for contrast). Old refinish and re-polish to the exterio...
Exquisite 18th C. French Directoire Paint-worn 3 Drawer Commode
Located in Highwood, IL
An absolutely gorgeous French solid sun-faded white oak Directoire 3-drawer commode, with unique diamant accented drawers and a wonderful aged blue painted finish.
Sold|$27,000
Pair of Black Lacquer Directoire Commodes
Located in Doylestown, PA
A rare pair of black lacquer 2-drawer commodes, Directoire period, with ivory key escutcheons and original working locks.
Wood
Sold|$3,200 / set
Pair of Petite French Directoire Style Commodes or Nightstands
By Tommi Parzinger, Charak Furniture Company
Located in Southampton, NJ
An especially refined pair of solid Mahogany petite French Directoire style commodes or nightstands embellished with exquisite recessed brass beading to the three dovetailed drawers.
Brass
Maison Jansen Directoire Bronze Mounted 3 Drawer Mahogany Commode
By Maison Jansen
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a fantastic, entirely original, stamped Maison Jansen commode in very good condition for its age. This 1940-50s era features gorgeous bronze ormolu and a beautiful slab of va...
Marble, Bronze
French Directoire Period Walnut Tiered 3-Drawer Marble-Top Commode, 19th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
Having an inset marble top with galleried edges, above a conforming case housing three drawers, the top drawer with dividers, raised on square tapering legs, first quarter of the 19t...
Walnut
Sold|$3,900
French Burled Walnut Directoire Chest
Located in Austin, TX
Chest, French, made of walnut and burled walnut in the Directoire Style. This piece has beautiful brass hardware and tapered legs. There are two dovetailed drawers and it is finished...
Brass
Exquisite 18th C. French Directoire Worn-Paint 3 Drawer Commode
Located in Highwood, IL
Absolutely gorgeous oak Directoire 3-drawer commode with unique diamant accented drawers and a wonderful aged blue painted finish. We are showing you this beautiful chest in it's ori...
Oak, Paint
French Provincial Directoire Commode Chest of Drawers, 19th Century
Located in Sherborne, GB
A classically designed French Directoire period commode. Constructed of walnut that’s gained a fantastic patina over time.
Walnut
Sold|$9,200
French Walnut Commode
Located in Atlanta, GA
French walnut commode with 3 drawers.
Walnut
Sold|$5,200
Directoire Style French Antique Chest
Located in Austin, TX
French Directoire style chest made of solid wood construction, primarily cherry wood. This piece has been finished with a lustrous French polish of museum quality. There are two dove...
Brass
Sold|$3,150
French Directoire Style Chest by Jansen
By Maison Jansen
Located in Stamford, CT
French Directoire style mahogany chest of drawers, the white marble with 3/4 brass gallery, atop a conforming case fitted with three drawers with bronze banding and loop pulls, raise...
French Louis XVI Directoire Style Brass Mounted Marble Top Commode
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Dimensions - H: 32 1/4 in W: 40 3/4 in D: 19 1/2 in An elegant and classically proportioned French Louis XVI style brass mounted marble top commode, embodying the timeless restraint...
Carrara Marble, Brass
Faux Rosewood Commode In the Directoire Style
Located in New York, NY
Faux Rosewood Commode In the Directoire Style
c.1930 Black Lacquered Directoire Style Commode
Located in Highwood, IL
Vintage French black lacquered Directoire style commode with the original finish, machine-dovetailed drawers that have solid wood bottoms, brass trim and original locks and key.
Wood
Sold|$8,350
A Pair Of Mailfert Directoire Style Commodes
By André Mailfert
Located in Kent, Dover
A pair of Andre Mailfert commodes of fine quality in the Directoire style. In ebonised solid walnut with oak lined drawers and gilt bronze mounts throughout.
Directoire Style Ebonized Commode with Marble Top
Located in New York, NY
Directoire style ebonized commode with marble top on fluted legs ending on brass sabots.
Ebonized Directoire Style Commode with Marble-Top
Located in New York, NY
Ebonized Directoire style, three-drawer commode with marble-top on tapered legs ending in brass sabots.
Sold|$5,900
French Directoire Period Chest of Drawers
Located in Austin, TX
French Directoire period chest of drawers in beautiful solid walnut with a traditional bees wax finish, peg construction, three dovetailed drawers, and original bronze lion's head ha...
Walnut
Directoire Period Walnut Commode with Brass Inlay
Located in Atlanta, GA
French Neoclassical Commode of the Directoire period having three smaller drawers over two larger drawers.
Brass
Sold|$3,200
c1900 French Directoire Chest of Drawers
Located in Austin, TX
French Directoire style chest of drawers with a patined light green finish, and two drawers. Very elegant and refined piece in a rare size, finely cast bronze hardware.
Cherry
Sold|$3,950
French Directoire Style Chest of Drawers
Located in Austin, TX
Antique French Directoire style chest of drawers in hand painted cherry wood, with three dovetailed drawers. We loved the neoclassic clean lines and the carved diamond pattern on the...
Cherry
Sold|$2,350
Directoire Style French Antique Chiffonier
Located in Austin, TX
This petite chiffonier, made of solid cheerywood, features four dovetailed drawers flanked by beautiful fluted details. The piece has gilt brass trim on the drawers and finely cast b...
Brass, Bronze
Sold|$4,600
French 18th Century Commode
Located in Stockbridge, GA
This Commode is made of walnut. It is a French Directoire Period which is a short time in the French history.
Walnut
French Directoire Ebonized Chest Signed "Pierrefeu"
Located in Austin, TX
Antique French Directoire style chest of drawers in ebonized solid cherrywood with a lustrous French polish finish by "Pierrefeu" a renowned furniture maker from the Lyon region of F...
Cherry
Charming 18th Century French Directoire Chest
Located in Stockbridge, GA
Charming 18th century French Directoire chest.
Marble
French 19th Century Directoire Cabinet Semainier
Located in Stockbridge, GA
French 19th century Directoire cabinet Semainier.
Cherry
French Directoire Style Ebonized Dresser by Jansen
Located in Stamford, CT
French ebonized and parcel-gilt dresser in the Directoire taste, circa 1940s, the rectangular top over a conforming case fitted with four over six drawers, raised on tapering squared...
Sold|$3,900
Directoire Style Walnut Antique French Chest
Located in Austin, TX
Beautiful Directoire style antique chest made of solid walnut. This Provincial piece features brass hardware, bronze feet, and fluted legs. This is a wonderful chest with great feel ...
Brass, Bronze
Pair Superb Directoire Maison Jansen Style Flame Mahogany Marble Top Commodes
By Maison Jansen
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
First I want to point out we have a finishing staff and will repair the commode on the right's finish. That's easy for us to do. What is harder is to find a pair of Flame mahogany ca...
Carrara Marble, Bronze
French Directoire Style Painted Chest of Drawers
Located in Austin, TX
French antique Directoire style elegant chest of drawers in solid cherrywood, hand painted with brass trim & feet, bronze hardware, and three dovetailed drawers.
19th Century French Directoire Style Painted Chest
Located in High Point, NC
19th-C. French chest in the directoire style. Wonderfully simple and elegant lines. There are three drawers and paneled sides, all over shaped spear feet. Understated elegance for ...
Walnut
Sold|$3,550
French 19th Century Commode
Located in Stockbridge, GA
French 19th century commode.
Mahogany
Exquisite Laquered Directoire Style Commode with Marble Top
Located in New York, NY
Exquisite laquered Directoire Style commode with marble top.
A Directoire Style, Brass-Inlaid, Marble-top Commode
Located in New York, NY
A Directoire Style, Brass-Inlaid, Marble-top Commode
Sold|$4,760
French 18th Century Commode
Located in Stockbridge, GA
This French Directoire chest is made of walnut with a saint-Anne marble top. Its simple line makes it very chic.
Marble
French Directoire Period Walnut Chest of Drawers
Located in Austin, TX
Antique French Directoire period chest of drawers in solid walnut and burled walnut with a beautiful patina, three dovetailed drawers and original cast bronze hardware. Sturdy constr...
Walnut
Directoire Style French Antique Chest of Drawers
Located in Austin, TX
Fine French antique Directoire style chest of drawers made of solid walnut and featuring square brass pulls on two dovetailed drawers. We loved the solid walnut top, elegant proporti...
Brass
Sold|$15,800 / set
Pair of French Directoire Chest Of Drawers
Located in Westport, CT
A beautiful pair of Directoire chests in solid walnut and comprised of three drawers with brass angular handles and shield-shaped escutcheons, finishing on straight, squared and tap...
Walnut
Louis XVI Style Directoire Commode, Circa Early 1800s
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A very fine early 19th century Louis XVI Style Directoire commode from France. A shaped “Gris Sainte Anne” marble top with rounded front corners and a beveled edge sits above three s...
Brass
Pair of French Directoire Style Chests of Drawers
Located in Stamford, CT
Pair of French Directoire style chests of drawers, each having a molded white marble, atop a beige distress-painted case fitted with four graduating drawers, the top having fluted fr...
French Directoire Style Marble Top Chest by Jansen
By Maison Jansen
Located in Stamford, CT
French Directoire style chest of drawer, circa 1940s, the white marble with 3/4 brass gallery, atop a conforming case fitted with three drawers, flanked by fluted uprights, raised on...
Fine 19c. Directoire Style Commode with Slate Top
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Commode, having a rectangular top of slate with rounded corners, conforming case of mixed woods, trio of top drawers over two stacked, each decorated with stringing surrounding brass...
Sold|$1,895
French Directoire Style Chest of Drawers
By Century Furniture
Located in Southampton, NJ
Classic French Directoire style chest of three dovetailed drawers with polished handles & brass banded tapered feet. Versatile Transitional style. Nice mid size ready for use.
Brass
Antique French Directoire Period Chest of Drawers
Located in Austin, TX
An antique French Directoire period chest of drawers in wild cherrywood. From a dealer in the region of Apt (in the Basses Alpes). This charming period piece carries out the soul of...
Brass
Sold|$4,800
French 18th Century Commode
Located in Stockbridge, GA
This beautiful chest is made with a flamed walnut wood and a Sainte-Anne marble top.
Marble
Directoire Chest of Drawers, France, circa 1790
Located in Greding, DE
Three-drawered Directoire mahogany chest of drawers with grey-white marble top on conical legs with brass sabots, the corners in fluted three-quarter columns with brass fittings. The...
Marble, Brass
Sold|$3,800
French 19th Century Small Commode
Located in Stockbridge, GA
French 19th century small commode.
Walnut
Italian or French Walnut Commode in Louis XVI Transitional to Directoire
Located in Nashville, TN
Provincial, of solid boards and peg construction. Secondary wood is oak (making for a very heavy chest). Lovely color with fading, stains. Excellent patina, warm rounded and fluted c...
Walnut
Fine Directoire Style Bronze Mounted Commode with Marble Top
Located in New York, NY
A Directoire Style Bronze Mounted Commode with Marble Top having three bronze mounted drawers
Sold|$1,650
French Directoire Style Chest of Drawers
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in Southampton, NJ
Classic French Directoire style chest of drawers attributed to Baker Furniture. Features include ornamental moulding, beading & banded detailing to each drawer on interesting tapere...
Brass
Pair of Ebonized and Gold Leafed Directoire Style Commodes
Located in New York, NY
A pair of ebonized and gold leafed Directoire style commodes.
Directoire Fruitwood Commode with Three Drawers and Tapered Legs
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Directoire fruitwood commode with three drawers and square tapering legs.
French Directoire Style Ebonized Chest of Drawers
Located in Stamford, CT
French Directoire style chest of drawers, 20th century, overall ebonized with bronze banding, four small drawers over four long drawers, oak secondary. In the style of Maison Jansen.
Late 18th Century French Directoire Chest of Drawers
Located in Dusseldorf, DE
A late 18th Century french directoire chest of drawers made of oak. On tapered square feet standing lateral coffered corpus with 2 large and 2 smaller drawers under a slightly over...
Oak
French Directoire Style Semainier in Mahogany and Brass
Located in Astoria, NY
French Directoire style mahogany and brass banded semainier chest. In a high size with bulbous feet, seven drawers and original brass pulls. Made during the 1940s in France, the piec...
Brass
French Directoire Style Antique Painted Chest of Drawers
Located in Austin, TX
Finished with gold leafed accents on the trims, this hand-painted Directoire chest of drawers is of fantastic quality! The grey "trianon" color is beautiful, and contrasts ...
Bronze
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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