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Marble Top Elm Commode
Marble Top Elm Commode

Marble Top Elm Commode

Located in London, England

French Louis Philippe style commode in elm with original marble top.

Category

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

Materials

Marble

Late Eighteenth Century French Walnut & Burr Elm commode
Late Eighteenth Century French Walnut & Burr Elm commode

Late Eighteenth Century French Walnut & Burr Elm commode

By Regency

Located in Tetbury, GB

Original Belgian grey marble above 3 short drawers and 2 long drawers, sides with stop fluted columns raised on turned tapering feet. The drawers are unusual with rare burr elm draw...

Category

Antique Late 18th Century French Regency Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Elm, Walnut

Fine 18 Century French Serpentine Commode in Elm
Fine 18 Century French Serpentine Commode in Elm

Fine 18 Century French Serpentine Commode in Elm

Located in Brussels, Brussels

Very beautiful starting 18 century commode in elm with 3 drawers This fine Louis XIV commode has an elegant curved shape and a beautiful original tablet. This curved shape releas...

Category

Antique Early 18th Century French Régence Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Elm

20th Century French Elm Parquetry Gilt Bronze Mounted Commode
20th Century French Elm Parquetry Gilt Bronze Mounted Commode

20th Century French Elm Parquetry Gilt Bronze Mounted Commode

Located in Gloucestershire, GB

20th Century French elm parquetry, gilt bronze mounted commode or chest of drawers.

Category

Mid-20th Century French Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

French Brutalist Style Elm Commode Chest of Drawers, circa 1970
French Brutalist Style Elm Commode Chest of Drawers, circa 1970

French Brutalist Style Elm Commode Chest of Drawers, circa 1970

Located in Labrit, Landes

Commode brutalist style, French chest of drawers, circa 1970 Elm and wrought iron made by the designer Aranjou renomed for its Brutalist-style furniture.

Category

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

Materials

Iron

Elm Burl Commode with Lacquered Doors and Bronze Ornaments, France, circa 1940
Elm Burl Commode with Lacquered Doors and Bronze Ornaments, France, circa 1940

Elm Burl Commode with Lacquered Doors and Bronze Ornaments, France, circa 1940

Located in Saint-Ouen, FR

Elm burl commode with lacquered wooden doors. Bronze ornaments in the form of ram’s heads.

Category

Vintage 1940s French Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Bronze

Mid-Century French Charles X Style Burl Elm Three-Drawer Chest Commode
Mid-Century French Charles X Style Burl Elm Three-Drawer Chest Commode

Mid-Century French Charles X Style Burl Elm Three-Drawer Chest Commode

Located in Dallas, TX

Crafted in France circa 1950, this elegant Charles X style chest showcases the dramatic beauty of richly figured burl elm.

Category

Mid-20th Century French Charles X Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Elm, Burl

French commode 18th century
French commode 18th century

French commode 18th century

Located in MILL, NL

Particularly large chest of drawers / dresser. Original from France, 18th century. Presumably elm wood. Beautiful color and patina. Has 3 spacious deep drawers. Has undergone severa...

Category

Antique 18th Century French Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Elm

Rare Early 18th Century Louis XV Provincial Burr Elm Mazarin Commode
Rare Early 18th Century Louis XV Provincial Burr Elm Mazarin Commode

Rare Early 18th Century Louis XV Provincial Burr Elm Mazarin Commode

Located in Benington, Herts

A rare early 18th Century Louis XV provincial burr elm shaped front mazarin commode of excellent colour and proportions.

Category

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

Materials

Elm, Fruitwood

Rare Early 18th Century Louis XV Provincial Burr Elm Mazarin Commode
Rare Early 18th Century Louis XV Provincial Burr Elm Mazarin Commode

Rare Early 18th Century Louis XV Provincial Burr Elm Mazarin Commode

Located in Benington, Herts

A rare early 18th century Louis XV provincial burr elm shaped front mazarin commode of excellent colour and proportions.

Category

Antique 1710s French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Elm, Fruitwood

Brutalist, Chest of Drawers, Solid Elm, France, 1970s
Brutalist, Chest of Drawers, Solid Elm, France, 1970s

Brutalist, Chest of Drawers, Solid Elm, France, 1970s

By Pierre Chapo

Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija

Chest of Drawers, Solid Elm, France, 1970s In the Spirit of Pierre Chapo This three-drawer chest is an ode to essential form—a study in proportion, weight, and grain. Carved from so...

Category

Vintage 1970s French Primitive Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Elm

18th Century French Provençal Bow Front Commode
18th Century French Provençal Bow Front Commode

18th Century French Provençal Bow Front Commode

Located in Gloucestershire, GB

A lovely 18th Century French Provençal bow front commode. Made from a charming mix of walnut, elm and cherry.

Category

Antique 18th Century French Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Cherry, Elm, Walnut

Louis XV Commode, France, 1760-1770
Louis XV Commode, France, 1760-1770

Louis XV Commode, France, 1760-1770

Located in Belmont, MA

Outstanding Louis XV commode, France 1760-1770, rosewood, elmwood and amaranth marquetry with original marble top. Beautiful original bronze fittings. The commode is in very good con...

Category

Antique 1760s French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Elm, Rosewood

Pair of Selz Chests in Elm, France 1960's
Pair of Selz Chests in Elm, France 1960's

Pair of Selz Chests in Elm, France 1960's

By SELZ

Located in New York, NY

A pair of chests by Selz in Elm wood with two doors and carved handles. Ideal nightstand size.

Category

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

Materials

Elm

Pierre Chapo Drawer in Elm model r14, made in France
Pierre Chapo Drawer in Elm model r14, made in France

Pierre Chapo Drawer in Elm model r14, made in France

By Pierre Chapo

Located in Waasmunster, BE

Pierre Chapo Drawer in Elm model r14, made in France

Category

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

Materials

Elm

A brutalist solid elm chest
A brutalist solid elm chest

A brutalist solid elm chest

Located in Saint-Ouen, FR

A custom made solid elm chest can be use as mutlifontional way

Category

Late 20th Century French Brutalist Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Elm

Chest of Three Drawers in Solid Elm by Pierre Chapo. France 1970
Chest of Three Drawers in Solid Elm by Pierre Chapo. France 1970

Chest of Three Drawers in Solid Elm by Pierre Chapo. France 1970

By Pierre Chapo

Located in Paris, FR

Rare model of three drawers chest in elm by Pierre Chapo, 1970 period. The pull handles are made of leather. Perfect condition.    

Category

Vintage 1960s French Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Leather, Elm

Antique French Burl Elmwood Consulat Style Commode, Circa 1880
Antique French Burl Elmwood Consulat Style Commode, Circa 1880

Antique French Burl Elmwood Consulat Style Commode, Circa 1880

Located in Dallas, TX

Our burl elmwood commode was hand-carved in the Consulat style, circa 1880.

Category

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

Materials

Metal

Charles X Chest of Drawers in Elm Burl, French Antique, Circa 1830
Charles X Chest of Drawers in Elm Burl, French Antique, Circa 1830

Charles X Chest of Drawers in Elm Burl, French Antique, Circa 1830

Located in PARIS, FR

Elm burl chest of drawers from the Charles X period circa 1830, brass lock entries. This beautiful chest of drawers goes very well with mid 20th century furniture by bringing a touch...

Category

Antique Early 19th Century French Charles X Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Elm, Burl

18th Century French Louis XV Fruitwood Commode Lyonnaise with Bronze Handles
18th Century French Louis XV Fruitwood Commode Lyonnaise with Bronze Handles

18th Century French Louis XV Fruitwood Commode Lyonnaise with Bronze Handles

Located in Dallas, TX

Bring warmth and provincial elegance to a bedroom, living room, or entry with this beautifully proportioned antique French commode. Crafted in Lyon, France circa 1760, the serpentine...

Category

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

Materials

Bronze

Vintage solid elm chest of drawers, 1980s
Vintage solid elm chest of drawers, 1980s

Vintage solid elm chest of drawers, 1980s

Located in MONTESSON, FR

This vintage chest of drawers is in solid elm. It was made in France in the 1980s. It includes a series of 3 drawers. This storage unit is in good vintage condition.

Category

Vintage 1980s French Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Elm

French Louis XV Transition Marble-Top Commode Sauteuse, Late 18th Century
French Louis XV Transition Marble-Top Commode Sauteuse, Late 18th Century

French Louis XV Transition Marble-Top Commode Sauteuse, Late 18th Century

Located in LA CIOTAT, FR

This refined French commode sauteuse, dating from the late 18th century, is an elegant example of the Louis XV Transition style. Crafted with great attention to detail, the piece com...

Category

Antique Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Maison Regain Chest of Drawers in Solid Elm
Maison Regain Chest of Drawers in Solid Elm

Maison Regain Chest of Drawers in Solid Elm

By Maison Regain

Located in Waalwijk, NL

Maison Regain, chest of drawers, solid elm, France, 1970s Stunning French storage unit executed in solid elm by Maison Regain. This design is sturdy and shows nifty, solid construct...

Category

Vintage 1970s French Post-Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Elm

Louis XV Pantolinier Commode
Louis XV Pantolinier Commode

Louis XV Pantolinier Commode

$14,400Sale Price|20% Off

Louis XV Pantolinier Commode

Located in Napa, CA

Gorgeous Louis XV Pantolinier from Arles, France. Has flowered red cloth liner in both drawers. Hardware in tact and holding strong, feels very solid. It is beautiful with great li...

Category

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

Materials

Metal

Maison Regain. Elm chest of drawers. Circa 1970.
Maison Regain. Elm chest of drawers. Circa 1970.

Maison Regain. Elm chest of drawers. Circa 1970.

Located in Saint-Ouen, FR

Maison Regain. Chest of drawers with 4 drawers in natural blond elm. French work realized circa 1970. Dimensions: H 85 x W 120 x D 59 cm Reference: LS6157909P

Category

Late 20th Century French Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Elm

Burl Elm Lacquered Chest of drawers by Jean Claude Mahey, France, 1970s
Burl Elm Lacquered Chest of drawers by Jean Claude Mahey, France, 1970s

Burl Elm Lacquered Chest of drawers by Jean Claude Mahey, France, 1970s

By Jean Claude Mahey

Located in Tresbœuf, FR

Designer: Jean Claude Mahey Origin: France Period: 1970s Materials: Burl elm, lacquer, brass Color: Warm honey brown / caramel tones Condition: Very good vintage condition with minor...

Category

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

Materials

Brass

French 19th Century Elm Wood Console Cabinet w/Burl Wood Accents
French 19th Century Elm Wood Console Cabinet w/Burl Wood Accents

French 19th Century Elm Wood Console Cabinet w/Burl Wood Accents

Located in Atlanta, GA

A French elm buffet console cabinet, with burl accents, from the 19th century. This antique cabinet from France, approximately 4.5 feet in length, features a rectangular-shaped top w...

Category

Antique 19th Century French Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Louis Philippe Period Chest of Drawers in Black Elm, 19th Century
Louis Philippe Period Chest of Drawers in Black Elm, 19th Century

Louis Philippe Period Chest of Drawers in Black Elm, 19th Century

Located in NAVILLY, FR

Louis Philippe period commode in black elm. Restored and patinated drawer interiors. Excellent condition. Additional information: Period: 19th century Style: Louis Philippe-R...

Category

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

Materials

Elm

Empire-Style Chest of Drawers in Elm Burl Veneer, 19th Century
Empire-Style Chest of Drawers in Elm Burl Veneer, 19th Century

Empire-Style Chest of Drawers in Elm Burl Veneer, 19th Century

Located in NAVILLY, FR

Empire period chest of drawers. Elm burl veneer. Functional locks with a key. Blackened wood top. Impeccable condition. Additional information: Period: 19th century Style: Empire -...

Category

Antique 19th Century French Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Elm, Burl

Louis XIV Period Chest of Drawers in Solid Elm, 18th Century
Louis XIV Period Chest of Drawers in Solid Elm, 18th Century

Louis XIV Period Chest of Drawers in Solid Elm, 18th Century

Located in NAVILLY, FR

Louis XIV period chest of drawers in solid elm, restored. 1/ Disassembly - Cleaning of original bronze mounts - original locks, one key. 2/ Cleaning and waxing of the entire pi...

Category

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

Materials

Elm

Solid elm chest of drawers by Maison Regain – circa 1970  Maison Lecan presents
Solid elm chest of drawers by Maison Regain – circa 1970  Maison Lecan presents

Solid elm chest of drawers by Maison Regain – circa 1970 Maison Lecan presents

By Maison Regain

Located in LYON, FR

Solid elm chest of drawers by Maison Regain – circa 1970 Maison Lecan presents this superb solid elm chest of drawers by Maison Regain, crafted in the 1970s.An icon of French brutal...

Category

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

Materials

Elm

Louis XV English Style Chest of Drawers Veneered in Rosewood and Elm Burl
Louis XV English Style Chest of Drawers Veneered in Rosewood and Elm Burl

Louis XV English Style Chest of Drawers Veneered in Rosewood and Elm Burl

Located in NAVILLY, FR

Louis XV style commode - English style, veneered in rosewood and elm burl. Beige marble top (polished by a marble mason, in perfect condition) Commode fully restored and in per...

Category

20th Century French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble

French Louis XVI Chest of Drawers, 1790-1800
French Louis XVI Chest of Drawers, 1790-1800

French Louis XVI Chest of Drawers, 1790-1800

Located in Leimen, DE

Explore the timeless elegance of a late 18th-century French Louis XVI chest of drawers. This exquisite piece stands gracefully on slender cabriole legs and features two drawers adorn...

Category

Antique 1790s French Louis XVI Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Elm, Fruitwood

19th Century French Empire Marble Top Fruitwood Chest of Drawers
19th Century French Empire Marble Top Fruitwood Chest of Drawers

19th Century French Empire Marble Top Fruitwood Chest of Drawers

Located in Dallas, TX

This elegant antique chest of drawers was crafted in France, circa 1870, in the refined Empire style. Built in richly figured fruitwood over elm, the petite commode features clean ar...

Category

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

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Lovelly Painted Chest Of 4 Drawers French Provincial Style
Lovelly Painted Chest Of 4 Drawers French Provincial Style

Lovelly Painted Chest Of 4 Drawers French Provincial Style

Located in Crawley, GB

Lovelly Painted Chest Of 4 Drawers French Style , the beautiful white ash whith gold makes this vintage chest unique ! Don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions. Please ...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century British French Provincial Commodes and Chests ...

Materials

Brass

Art Deco chest of drawers in burl veneer and marble top, France ca. 1930
Art Deco chest of drawers in burl veneer and marble top, France ca. 1930

Art Deco chest of drawers in burl veneer and marble top, France ca. 1930

Located in GRENOBLE, FR

An elegant Art Deco three-drawer chest of drawers, crafted from a superb burl veneer with spectacular and warmly nuanced grain. The front and sides are covered in a carefully selecte...

Category

Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble

Maison Regain  Elmwood Chests
Maison Regain  Elmwood Chests

Maison Regain Elmwood Chests

By Maison Regain

Located in West Hollywood, CA

Pair of Maison Regain elm wood three-drawer chests with curved drawer front with integral pulls, circa 1970's France.

Category

Vintage 1970s French Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood, Elm

Maison Regain  Elmwood Chest
Maison Regain  Elmwood Chest

Maison Regain Elmwood Chest

By Maison Regain

Located in West Hollywood, CA

Elm wood three-drawer chest by Maison Regain with expressed joining details and carved integral drawer pulls, circa 1970's France.

Category

Vintage 1970s French Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood, Elm

Chest of Drawers with Bedside 1970 Chid Design
Chest of Drawers with Bedside 1970 Chid Design

Chest of Drawers with Bedside 1970 Chid Design

By Paul Evans

Located in Palermo, Sicily

Chest of drawers with bedside 1970 chid design, elm burl veneer with brass fixtures and mirrors, schic design and great elegance. The very Paul Evans remembers style. Bedside height ...

Category

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

Materials

Brass

Antique French Elm Commode with Bobbin Turned Columns
Antique French Elm Commode with Bobbin Turned Columns

Antique French Elm Commode with Bobbin Turned Columns

Located in Port Chester, NY

A fanciful French elm chest of drawers with turned columns at either side and sweet ball feet. Classic Louis Philippe syle molded top drawer. Single key pulls open all four drawers...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Elm

A Pierre Chapo massive elm commode
A Pierre Chapo massive elm commode

A Pierre Chapo massive elm commode

By Pierre Chapo

Located in Paris, FR

A Pierre Chapo massive elm commode, of a rectangular shape, with seven drawers. Pierre Chapo (1927-1987) is born in a family of craftmen. After his regular studies, he worked for so...

Category

Vintage 1960s French Commodes and Chests of Drawers

French Provincial Elmwood Commode
French Provincial Elmwood Commode

French Provincial Elmwood Commode

Located in Houston, TX

Three-drawer commode in elmwood, Louis XIV style from the 18th century.

Category

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

Materials

Elm

19th Century French Commode
19th Century French Commode

19th Century French Commode

Unavailable|$3,509

19th Century French Commode

Located in Salisbury, GB

A fine mid-19th century French figured elm commode of superb color, with 3 long drawers below a frieze drawer, circa 1850.

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Elm

French Elm Chest, Dresser 19th Century
French Elm Chest, Dresser 19th Century

French Elm Chest, Dresser 19th Century

Located in Atlanta, GA

French elm chest.

Category

Antique 1880s French Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Commode French Chest of Drawers Louis XV Style Vintage, 20th Century
Commode French Chest of Drawers Louis XV Style Vintage, 20th Century

Commode French Chest of Drawers Louis XV Style Vintage, 20th Century

Located in France, FR

Commode French chest of drawers Louis XV style vintage 20th century Artisan made Superb quality pegged construction in burr elm and walnut Antique revival Apron front Two drawers Ver...

Category

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

Materials

Elm, Walnut

Mur Side Table. Oak and elm. Mattia Bonetti. Cat-Berro Edition 2013.
Mur Side Table. Oak and elm. Mattia Bonetti. Cat-Berro Edition 2013.

Mur Side Table. Oak and elm. Mattia Bonetti. Cat-Berro Edition 2013.

By Mattia Bonetti

Located in Paris, FR

Mur. Cat-Berro edition 2013. Side unit with two drawers. One niche. Scarified oak and elmwood. Measures: L 18”, H 24.5”, D 21.5” cm. L 45 cm, H 62 cm, P 55 cm. Signed piece of a lim...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Elm, Oak

Pierre Chapo Chest of Drawers
Pierre Chapo Chest of Drawers

Pierre Chapo Chest of Drawers

Unavailable|$2,575 / set

Pierre Chapo Chest of Drawers

By Pierre Chapo

Located in Grenoble, FR

Dresser with drawers and bedside table in solid elm 1970s by Pierre Chapo.

Category

Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Leather, Elm

Chest of Drawers or Vanitie by André Simard, 1955
Chest of Drawers or Vanitie by André Simard, 1955

Chest of Drawers or Vanitie by André Simard, 1955

By André Simard

Located in Paris, FR

Chest of drawers or vanity designed by André Simard and edited by Meubles Simard in 1955 Original condition.

Category

Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Metal

French Directoire Elm Commode, circa 1800
French Directoire Elm Commode, circa 1800

French Directoire Elm Commode, circa 1800

Located in Atlanta, GA

Early 19th century Directoire commode in elm with three drawers, brass pulls, shaped apron and square tapering legs. William Word Fine Antiques: Atlanta's source for antique inter...

Category

Antique Early 1800s French Directoire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

19th Century French Louis Philippe Elm Commode
19th Century French Louis Philippe Elm Commode

19th Century French Louis Philippe Elm Commode

Located in Carmine, TX

If I were a Louis Philippe, I would want to be this one! This French commode was built in the first half of the 1800s using Elm and Maple as the secondary wood, making it very unique.

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Commodes and Chests of Dr...

Materials

Elm

Charles X French Burled Elm Commode
Charles X French Burled Elm Commode

Charles X French Burled Elm Commode

Located in Atlanta, GA

A Charles X burled elm commode with four drawers. William Word Fine Antiques: Atlanta's source for antique interiors since 1956.

Category

Antique 19th Century French Commodes and Chests of Drawers

19th Century Burl Elm Commode
19th Century Burl Elm Commode

19th Century Burl Elm Commode

Located in High Point, NC

19th century French commode with a beveled edge around the top and shaped corners. The top has bookmatched veneer. The sides are made from oak, and the case has two over three drawer...

Category

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

Materials

Elm, Burl

Burr Elm 18th Century French Louis XV Bombe Shaped Commode
Burr Elm 18th Century French Louis XV Bombe Shaped Commode

Burr Elm 18th Century French Louis XV Bombe Shaped Commode

Located in Benington, Herts

A finely shaped, rare burr and figured elm French Louis XV commode dating to the mid-18th century, of good color.

Category

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

Materials

Elm, Oak

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French Elm Commode For Sale on 1stDibs

At 1stDibs, there are many versions of the ideal French elm commode for your home. Frequently made of wood, hardwood and elm, every French elm commode was constructed with great care. Find 173 options for an antique or vintage French elm commode now, or shop our selection of 1 modern versions for a more contemporary example of this long-cherished piece. Your living room may not be complete without a French elm commode — find older editions for sale from the 18th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 21st Century. When you’re browsing for the right French elm commode, those designed in mid-century modern, louis xv and Louis XVI styles are of considerable interest. Pierre Chapo, Maison Regain and André Simard each produced at least one beautiful French elm commode that is worth considering.

How Much is a French Elm Commode?

Prices for a French elm commode can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, they begin at $1,000 and can go as high as $30,417, while the average can fetch as much as $5,000.

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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From Brooklyn townhouses to Maine campgrounds, Trattie Davies and Jonathan Toews relish a challenge, like transforming a former warehouse space into the new 1stdibs Gallery.