19th Century French Empire Mahogany Commode
Located in GB
A fantastic quality 19th Century Empire mahogany and ormolu commode with marble top. This commode has three functioning, deep drawers with lovely gilded plaques.
Marble, Ormolu
Empire French Alpine Commode, Early 19th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Columns and drawers in front and two side doors with small compartments. Nice patina and finely carved. Constructed in cherrywood with originals brass handles and bleu turquin top....
Marble, Bronze
French 1930s Empire Style Walnut Commode with Grey Marble Top and Black Columns
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Empire style walnut commode from the early 20th century, with grey veined marble top four drawers and black columns. Created in France during the second quarter of the 20th ...
Marble, Bronze, Brass
French Empire Commode, Cherrywood with Ebonized Columns, Circa 1820
Located in Kaštel Sućurac, HR
French Empire Commode, Cherrywood with Ebonized Columns, Circa 1820. This Empire commode is built in solid cherrywood with a warm honey tone and a paneled top. The architectural sil...
Brass, Bronze
Napoleon III Empire REvival Commode
Located in Kent, Dover
A French Napoleon III, Empire Revival four drawer commode in pickled mahogany. With good bronze handles and variegated grey marble top.
Marble, Bronze
French Empire Style Commode or Dresser with Marble Top & Bronze Lion Head Pulls
Located in Plainview, NY
An exquisite French Empire style commode or dresser offering three drawers. The commode or dresser is painted in antiqued beige tone and features lion head bronze pulls. The dresser ...
Marble, Bronze
French Empire Cherrywood Commode, Brass Inlay and Columns, circa 1815
Located in Kaštel Sućurac, HR
French Empire Cherrywood Commode, Brass Inlay and Columns, circa 1815. This commode is built in solid and veneered cherrywood over a pine carcass, with four graduated drawers flanked...
Brass, Bronze
French Empire Commode w/Black Marble Top & Stunning Brass Hardware
Located in Atlanta, GA
This mid 19th century French Neoclassic Empire chest-of-drawers is a versatile case piece which would work well in many rooms; offering great storage within and a place for desired o...
Marble
19th Century French Mahogany Chest of Drawers with a Dark Gray Stone Top
Located in Dallas, TX
An early 19th century French Empire mahogany commode with bronze mounts and a dark gray stone top.
Stone, Bronze
Vintage Baker French Empire Directoire Walnut Lowboy Dresser 1960s
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on "Read More" or "View More Details" below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing is from 1st Dibs and they normally s...
Brass
Empire-Style Mahogany Commode, "Return From Egypt" Style, 19th Century
Located in NAVILLY, FR
Empire commode, "Return from Egypt," fully restored. Key and locks are functional. Impeccable condition. Additional information: Period: 19th century Style: Empire - Consulate Con...
Mahogany
19th Century Walnut Empire Commode with Black Fossil Top
Located in Dallas, TX
This 19th century Walnut Empire commode with a black fossil top features a classic and elegant design. The sideboard is crafted from high-quality walnut material, giving it a rich an...
Walnut
1980s French Empire Style Commode with Ebonized Frame and Marble Top
Located in New York, NY
1980's French three drawer commode in the style of the French Empire. Three natural color elm wood drawers with ebonized frame. Straight pilasters flank the sides, ending in tapered ...
Marble
A mahogany Empire commode à l'anglaise, Attributed to Jacob Frères
By Jacob Frères
Located in Wijnegem, BE
A top quality Empire commode made in beautiful mahogany veneer (acajou moucheté) on solid oak. Ornaments of gilded bronze and with a fantastic ( purple -brown -white) Fossil Marble ...
Marble
Empire Acajou Mouchete Mahogany Mounted Commode, Attributed to Bernard Molitor
By Bernard Molitor
Located in Berlin, DE
A fine Empire acajou mouchete mahogany commode in the manner of Bernard Molitor (1755-1833). A rectangular oak corpus veneered with acajou mouchete mahogany, with a grey marble top a...
Mahogany
A fine early 19th century Empire Cherry wood and ebonized commode .
Located in Dallas, TX
A fine 19th century Period Empire Cherry and ebonized granite top commode . Carved Egyptian caryatids with pawed feet. Antique granite top
Cherry, Ebony
French Empire Demilune Console Table with Gilt Bronze and Gilt Caryatids, 19th C
Located in Madrid, ES
An elegant and highly decorative French Empire demilune console table, distinguished by its refined proportions and rich combination of finely chased gilt bronze mounts and carved gi...
Fruitwood
Empire Style Demi Lune Marble Topped Two Door Commode with Two Drawers
Located in Troy, MI
Found in France, this circa 1910 empire style demi lune commode is made of mahogany with a marble top. Commode has two locking drawers flanked by wedge-shaped, locking side cabinets....
Marble, Brass
19th Century French Inlaid Commode
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
French 19th century Marquetry two-drawer commode with a wonderful marble top. Featuring wonderful inlaid decoration, this commode conveys typical Empire styles. A great storage pi...
Wood
Second Empire Period Ormolu Mounted Commode by Sormani
By Paul Sormani
Located in London, GB
Second Empire period ormolu mounted commode by Sormani French, c. 1860 Measures: Height 86cm, width 151cm, depth 65cm This superb commode is by the celebrated French ébéniste Pa...
Serpentine, Bronze, Ormolu
French Empire Mahogany Chest with Four Drawers, Circa 1880s
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire style (late 19th Century) mahogany small chest with 4 drawers and bronze trim with a black marble top There are splits in the wood at the side of the piece.
Mahogany
Empire Style French Chest of Drawers
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1940s French neoclassic style double chest of drawers with ebonized details.
$2,900 / item
Henkel Harris 4 Drawer Chest, 2 available
By Henkel Harris
Located in Toledo, OH
This piece is a Henkel Harris Model 191 with finish #29, French Empire Style marble top chest of drawers. This high-end American-made chest is crafted from premium book-matched flame...
Marble, Brass
French Empire Style Mahogany Chest with Brown Marble Top
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire style (19th Century) mahogany chest with 4 drawers and bronze handles and escutcheons with a brown marble top.
Marble, Brass
19th Century French Empire Secretaire, Chest Of Drawers, Dressing Table
Located in Greven, DE
Antique mirror chest of drawers with writing compartment Frankreich Mahagoni erste Hälfte 19. Jahrhundert Dimensions: H x W x D: 151 x 98 x 52 cm Description: Exceptionally delica...
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
French Empire Escritoire Chest Desk 1880 Mahogany
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Classic French Empire escritoire / desk Crafted from mahogany with ormolu fittings Great space saving piece as both a desk and a chest of drawers We date this to circa 1880 Bought f...
Mahogany
19th Century French Mahogany Commode with Marble Top and Brass Inlay
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A substantial French commode from the 19th century wrapped in finely-grained mahogany trimmed with inlaid brass that frames the drawer-fronts and chamfered corners. The original marb...
Brass
Maison Forest Style French Empire Burl Wood Armoire Dresser or Gentleman's Chest
By Maison Forest
Located in South Bend, IN
A beautiful antique French Empire armoire dresser or gentleman's chest In the manner of Maison Forest France, Circa 1880s Gorgeous burl wood, with mounted bronze ormolu and hardwa...
Bronze
French Empire Mahogany Miniature Chest of Drawers with Marble Top, 1810-1820
Located in Knivsta, SE
French Empire Mahogany Miniature Chest of Drawers with Marble Top, circa 1810–1820 Charming and finely proportioned miniature chest of drawers in mahogany (Swietenia mahogoni), dati...
Marble, Brass
Miniature Antique Empire chest of drawers
Located in Ballard, CA
exquisite exemple of a miniature sample of an empire chest made by a "Compagnon" most likely this was for the mentor to judge the ability of his pupil to create a perfect Empire mini...
Mahogany
Villa Garnelo French Empire Style Crotch Mahogany 4 Drawer Commode Dresser Chest
By Villa Garnelo Internacional
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote. Villa Garnelo French Empire Style Crotch Mahogany 4 Drawer Commode Dresser Chest.
Mahogany
French Empire Style Mahogany Bow Front Large Chest Dresser w/ Bronze Paw Feet
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote. Quality French Empire Style Mahogany Bow Front Large Chest Dresser w/ Bronze Paw Feet.
Mahogany
Flame Mahogany and Gilt Bronze Commode with Rouge Griotte By Molitor
By Molitor
Located in Stamford, CT
A superbly crafted French Empire commode with Rouge Griotte marble top by Molitor.
Mahogany
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
French Pair Neoclassic Empire Style Slender Nightstand Side Chests , Mid 20th C
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French pair of Neoclassic Empire style side wooden side cabinets from the mid 20th century.
Wood
French Empire Biedermeier Oak Double Dresser Commode Console Chest Hidden Drawer
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage French Empire / Biedermeier style chest of drawers / dresser / commode.
Oak
19th Century Empire Drop-Front Oak Secretary Desk or Abattant, Chest France
Located in Miami, FL
Secretaire a abattant, France circa 1820, Biedermeier period. The outside with fall front and two drawers flanked by two ebonized columns shows a beautiful oak veneer design. The woo...
Bronze
Wonderful Regency Empire Ormolu Bronze Crystal Porcelain Oval Jewelry Box Chest
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Wonderful Regency Empire Ormolu Bronze Crystal / Glass With Unusual Porcelain Plaque Medallion Oval Jewelry Box Chest
Crystal, Bronze, Ormolu
19th Century Empire Drop-Front Oak Secretary Desk or Abattant, Chest France
Located in Miami, FL
Secretaire a abattant, France circa 1820, Biedermeier period. The outside with fall front and two drawers flanked by two ebonized columns shows a beautiful oak veneer design. The woo...
Bronze
19th Century Empire Drop-Front Oak Secretary Desk or Abattant, Chest France
Located in Miami, FL
Secretaire a abattant, France circa 1820, Biedermeier period. The outside with fall front and two drawers flanked by two ebonized columns shows a beautiful oak veneer design. The woo...
Bronze
19th Century Empire Drop-Front Oak Secretary Desk or Abattant, Chest France
Located in Miami, FL
Secretaire a abattant, France circa 1820, Biedermeier period. The outside with fall front and two drawers flanked by two ebonized columns shows a beautiful oak veneer design. The woo...
Bronze
Antique French Empire Marble-Top Mahogany Dresser – 1800s Chest with Gilt Pulls
Located in Portsmouth, VA
A showstopping antique French Empire-style chest of drawers with a rich, storied past — and ready for its next chapter in a thoughtfully styled home.
Marble
French Escritoire Desk Mahogany Antique Chest
Located in Potters Bar, GB
This rather imposing escritoire stands upon turned feet. The bottom panelled doors open to reveal an inner oak lined drawer. The writing section having a drop down fall with a leat...
Mahogany
Early 19th Century French Empire Period Mahogany Nightstand End Table
Located in Forney, TX
A period French Empire (1804-1815) mahogany chest of drawers nightstand with beautifully aged patina.
Belgian Black Marble
19th Century French Faux Bamboo Burl White Marble Chest Drawer Sideboard
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
A good antique 19th century French Empire faux bamboo & white marble pine small sideboard /chest of drawer.
Marble
Thomasville French Louis Philippe Burlwood Marble Top Four-Drawer Dresser Chests
By Thomasville
Located in South Bend, IN
A beautiful pair of French Empire or Louis Philippe style four-drawer dressers or chests of drawers By Thomasville USA, Late 20th Century Gorgeous burl wood, with thick beveled ma...
Marble, Brass
Thomasville French Louis Philippe Burl Wood Marble Top Four-Drawer Dresser Chest
By Thomasville
Located in South Bend, IN
A beautiful French Empire or Louis Philippe style four-drawer dresser or chest of drawers By Thomasville USA, Late 20th Century Gorgeous burl wood, with thick beveled marble top, ...
Marble, Brass
Pair French Bedside Tables Nightstands Kidney Bean 1930
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Elegant pair of French Empire style bedside chests - or nightstands Circa 1930 Bought from a dealer on Marche Biron at Paris antiques markets Lovely kidney bean form features a marbl...
Marble
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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