Skip to main content

French Gilt Commode

to
79
437
318
358
273
157
151
127
108
94
50
42
37
29
26
24
19
16
15
14
13
11
10
10
10
7
7
6
6
6
5
5
4
4
4
4
3
3
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
11
9
7
6
3
Sort By
Early 18th Century Louis XIV Régence Marquetry Commode Attr. Etienne Doirat
Early 18th Century Louis XIV Régence Marquetry Commode Attr. Etienne Doirat

Early 18th Century Louis XIV Régence Marquetry Commode Attr. Etienne Doirat

By Etienne Doirat

Located in Berlin, DE

Important early 18th century Louis XIV Régence marquetry commode attr. Etienne Doirat (1675-1732

Category

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

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Bombe Commode, Louis XV Style, Marble, Marquetry, Beginning 20th Century
Bombe Commode, Louis XV Style, Marble, Marquetry, Beginning 20th Century

Bombe Commode, Louis XV Style, Marble, Marquetry, Beginning 20th Century

By Gaumeloose

Located in Madrid, ES

bronze refer to the French Louis XV style. It is situated within the Rococo, from 1750 and throughout the

Category

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

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Pair of Stamped JANSEN Ebony Commodes, Nightstands or Chests, Hollywood Regency
Pair of Stamped JANSEN Ebony Commodes, Nightstands or Chests, Hollywood Regency

Pair of Stamped JANSEN Ebony Commodes, Nightstands or Chests, Hollywood Regency

By Maison Jansen

Located in Stamford, CT

Pair of stamped JANSEN ebony commodes, nightstands or chests. Hollywood Regency pair of ebony

Category

Mid-20th Century French Hollywood Regency Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Bronze

False Pair of Half-Moon Little Marquetry Commodes Stamped Paul Sormani
False Pair of Half-Moon Little Marquetry Commodes Stamped Paul Sormani

False Pair of Half-Moon Little Marquetry Commodes Stamped Paul Sormani

Located in Saint-Ouen, FR

floral rose wood, violet wood and mahogany marquetry Chiselled and gilt bronze Work of the end of the

Category

Antique 1870s French Louis XVI Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Bronze

18th Century Louis XV Ormolu-Mounted Marble-Top Kingwood Commode
18th Century Louis XV Ormolu-Mounted Marble-Top Kingwood Commode

18th Century Louis XV Ormolu-Mounted Marble-Top Kingwood Commode

Located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL

-mounted angled corners resting on splayed ormolu-mounted French bracket feet.

Category

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

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Small Tulipwood and Parquetry Commode, Late Regence, in the Manner of M. Criaerd
Small Tulipwood and Parquetry Commode, Late Regence, in the Manner of M. Criaerd

Small Tulipwood and Parquetry Commode, Late Regence, in the Manner of M. Criaerd

By Matthieu Criaerd

Located in Berlin, DE

A rare small tulipwood and parquetry commode with gilt bronze mounts in the manner of Matthieu

Category

Antique 1720s French Régence Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Ebonized Cabinet on Chest French Louis XV Style With Parcel Gilt Glass Doors
Ebonized Cabinet on Chest French Louis XV Style With Parcel Gilt Glass Doors

Ebonized Cabinet on Chest French Louis XV Style With Parcel Gilt Glass Doors

Located in Stamford, CT

French Louis XV style cabinet on chest, circa 1950s, overall ebonized and parcel-gilt, the top of a

Category

Vintage 1950s French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood, Glass

Superior Louis XV Ormolu-Mounted Marble-Top Serpentine Commode by Louis Delaitre
Superior Louis XV Ormolu-Mounted Marble-Top Serpentine Commode by Louis Delaitre

Superior Louis XV Ormolu-Mounted Marble-Top Serpentine Commode by Louis Delaitre

By Louis Delaitre

Located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL

gilt bronze sabots. The commode was made by and bears the stamp of Louis Delaitre, Paris. Louis

Category

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

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Exceptional Commode of the 19th Century in the Style of Louis XV
Exceptional Commode of the 19th Century in the Style of Louis XV

Exceptional Commode of the 19th Century in the Style of Louis XV

By Ernst Keller

Located in Saint-Ouen, FR

Exceptional commode of the 19th century in the style of Louis XV in marquetry of precious and

Category

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

Materials

Bronze

Louis XV Style Large Commode in Chinese Lacquer from the 19th Century
Louis XV Style Large Commode in Chinese Lacquer from the 19th Century

Louis XV Style Large Commode in Chinese Lacquer from the 19th Century

Located in NICE, FR

Transition Louis XV-style commode with two drawers sans cross pieces in striking black Chinese

Category

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

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Karges French Provincial Louis XV Carved Walnut and Gold Gilt Bombay Chest
Karges French Provincial Louis XV Carved Walnut and Gold Gilt Bombay Chest

Karges French Provincial Louis XV Carved Walnut and Gold Gilt Bombay Chest

By Karges Furniture

Located in South Bend, IN

A beautiful French Provincial Louis XV style bombay chest of drawers or commode By Karges

Category

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

Materials

Brass

French Louis XV Style Widdicomb Painted & Gilt Bombe Chest 20th C
French Louis XV Style Widdicomb Painted & Gilt Bombe Chest 20th C

French Louis XV Style Widdicomb Painted & Gilt Bombe Chest 20th C

By John Widdicomb

Located in Big Flats, NY

A French Louis XV style bombe chest by Widdicomb offers shaped top over a case having three long

Category

20th Century American Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Antique 19th Century Louis XV Rococo Style Marble Top Inlaid Commode
Antique 19th Century Louis XV Rococo Style Marble Top Inlaid Commode

Antique 19th Century Louis XV Rococo Style Marble Top Inlaid Commode

Located in Swedesboro, NJ

inlaid commode is astonishing! If you look at the photos provided you will see the quality throughout the

Category

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

Materials

Marble, Bronze, Ormolu

Small Louis XVI Style Marquetry Commode in the Manner of N. Petit (1732-1794)
Small Louis XVI Style Marquetry Commode in the Manner of N. Petit (1732-1794)

Small Louis XVI Style Marquetry Commode in the Manner of N. Petit (1732-1794)

Located in Berlin, DE

A fine 19th century commode of small size, the rectangular case with three drawers, the frieze

Category

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

Materials

Bronze

18th Century Louis XV or XVI Transitional Commode in the Manner of Denis Gent
18th Century Louis XV or XVI Transitional Commode in the Manner of Denis Gent

18th Century Louis XV or XVI Transitional Commode in the Manner of Denis Gent

By Denis Genty

Located in Berlin, DE

A magnificent gilt bronze mounted kingwood and amaranth parquetry commode with a shaped moulded

Category

Antique 1760s French Louis XVI Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Bronze

Pair of 18th Century Louis XVI Ormolu-Mounted Marquetry and Marble Top Commodes
Pair of 18th Century Louis XVI Ormolu-Mounted Marquetry and Marble Top Commodes

Pair of 18th Century Louis XVI Ormolu-Mounted Marquetry and Marble Top Commodes

Located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL

These elegant commodes of the Louis XVI era feature shaped variegated marble tops above two long

Category

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

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Pair of Mahogany, Gilt and Marble Topped Chest of Drawers in the French Style
Pair of Mahogany, Gilt and Marble Topped Chest of Drawers in the French Style

Pair of Mahogany, Gilt and Marble Topped Chest of Drawers in the French Style

By Adam Weisweiler

Located in London, GB

Pair of Commodes In the Manner of Adam Weisweiler of rectangular form, constructed in mahogany

Category

Antique 19th Century British Louis XVI Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble, Bronze, Ormolu

Empire Chest with Gilt Bronze Caryatids
Empire Chest with Gilt Bronze Caryatids

Empire Chest with Gilt Bronze Caryatids

Located in Dallas, TX

Empire mahogany chest, with gilt bronze caryatids "supporting" top both right and left, diamond

Category

Antique 19th Century French Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble

Venetian Style Galbe Commodes from the Villa La Pausa
Venetian Style Galbe Commodes from the Villa La Pausa

Venetian Style Galbe Commodes from the Villa La Pausa

Located in Vancouver, British Columbia

proud to present this matched pair of French blue and gold gilt commodes circa 1950. Villa La Pausa was

Category

Vintage 1950s Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Napoleon III Serpentine Form Boulle, Gilt Bronze and Ebonized Wood Cabinet
Napoleon III Serpentine Form Boulle, Gilt Bronze and Ebonized Wood Cabinet

Napoleon III Serpentine Form Boulle, Gilt Bronze and Ebonized Wood Cabinet

By André-Charles Boulle

Located in Vancouver, British Columbia

A period French Napoleon III serpentine form cabinet in ebonized wood with Boulle marquetry in

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Commodes and Chests of Dra...

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Period French Empire Mahogany Semainier
Period French Empire Mahogany Semainier

Period French Empire Mahogany Semainier

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

Semaine is the French word for week. A semainier has seven drawers, one for every day of the week

Category

Antique 1810s French Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Bronze

Neo-Classical Style Mahogany and Gilt-Bronze Chest
Neo-Classical Style Mahogany and Gilt-Bronze Chest

Neo-Classical Style Mahogany and Gilt-Bronze Chest

Located in NYC, NY

grey / white marble with molded edge. The body and gilt bronze mounts all French, dating from the 19th

Category

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

20th Century French Inlaid Dresser
20th Century French Inlaid Dresser

20th Century French Inlaid Dresser

Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont

Stylish French dresser from the early 20th century. Furniture nicely inlaid with floral motifs in

Category

Early 20th Century French Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble, Bronze

A fine 19th c Louis XVI buffet by Paul Sormani mahogany and gilt bronze mounted
A fine 19th c Louis XVI buffet by Paul Sormani mahogany and gilt bronze mounted

A fine 19th c Louis XVI buffet by Paul Sormani mahogany and gilt bronze mounted

By Paul Sormani

Located in Dallas, TX

A very Fine 19th century French Louis XVI mahogany and gilt bronze mounted buffet by Paul Sormani

Category

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

Materials

Breccia Marble, Bronze

Antique French Marble Top Bombe Secretaire Chest
Antique French Marble Top Bombe Secretaire Chest

Antique French Marble Top Bombe Secretaire Chest

Located in London, GB

A stunning antique bombe shaped French secretaire chest with an original rouge marble top and pull

Category

Antique 1890s French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Pair of Antique French Style Bedside Chests
Pair of Antique French Style Bedside Chests

Pair of Antique French Style Bedside Chests

Located in London, GB

A stunning pair of antique French style bombe bedside chests, dating from the late 20th century

Category

Vintage 1970s French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Metal

Antique French Louis XV Style Side Chest
Antique French Louis XV Style Side Chest

Antique French Louis XV Style Side Chest

Located in London, GB

A stunning antique French side chest, dating from around the 1950’s. This is of superb quality, it

Category

Vintage 1950s French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Bronze

French Empire Flamed Mahogany Chest of Drawers
French Empire Flamed Mahogany Chest of Drawers

French Empire Flamed Mahogany Chest of Drawers

Located in Austin, TX

) beautifully enhanced with a French polish and finely cast gilt bronze hardware. Four dovetailed drawers

Category

Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble, Bronze

French Antique Pair of Louis XVI Chests
French Antique Pair of Louis XVI Chests

French Antique Pair of Louis XVI Chests

Located in Austin, TX

Pair of French antique mahogany chest ebonized and polished with multiple coats of hand rubbed

Category

20th Century French Louis XVI Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

20th Century Small French Inlaid Dresser
20th Century Small French Inlaid Dresser

20th Century Small French Inlaid Dresser

Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont

Small French dresser of the second half of the 20th century. Furniture in rosewood with pleasant

Category

Mid-20th Century French Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass, Bronze

20th Century French Inlaid Small Dresser
20th Century French Inlaid Small Dresser

20th Century French Inlaid Small Dresser

Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont

Small French dresser of the second half of the 20th century. Furniture in rosewood with pleasant

Category

Mid-20th Century French Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass, Bronze

20th Century French Painted Fir Chests of Drawers, 1920s
20th Century French Painted Fir Chests of Drawers, 1920s

20th Century French Painted Fir Chests of Drawers, 1920s

Located in LEGNY, FR

Nice 20th century French chests of drawers that has been paint in green. Used to be in French

Category

Vintage 1920s French Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

20th Century French Inlaid Demilune Dresser
20th Century French Inlaid Demilune Dresser

20th Century French Inlaid Demilune Dresser

Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont

Small 20th century French dresser. Furniture nicely inlaid in mahogany, rosewood, maple and boxwood

Category

Mid-20th Century French Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble, Bronze

French Louis XVI Carrara Marble-Top "Semainier”
French Louis XVI Carrara Marble-Top "Semainier”

French Louis XVI Carrara Marble-Top "Semainier”

Located in Austin, TX

traditional French polish. Original Carrara marble top, gilt brass trim, and finely cast bronze hardware on

Category

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

Materials

Carrara Marble, Bronze, Brass

French Antique Louis XVI Chest of Drawers
French Antique Louis XVI Chest of Drawers

French Antique Louis XVI Chest of Drawers

Located in Austin, TX

Antique French Louis XVI style chest of drawers in light gray patinated mahogany with Carrara

Category

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

Materials

Carrara Marble, Brass, Bronze

20th Century French Inlaid Dresser with Marble Top
20th Century French Inlaid Dresser with Marble Top

20th Century French Inlaid Dresser with Marble Top

Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont

French dresser of the mid-20th century. Furniture richly inlaid with geometric motifs in rosewood

Category

Mid-20th Century French Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble, Bronze

French Louis XV Style Black Lacquered Chest of Drawers with White Marble Top
French Louis XV Style Black Lacquered Chest of Drawers with White Marble Top

French Louis XV Style Black Lacquered Chest of Drawers with White Marble Top

Located in New York, NY

A beautiful and elegant French Louis XV Rococo style two-drawer black lacquered chest or commode

Category

Vintage 1940s French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble, Metal

20th Century French Dresser in Louis XV Style in Rosewood
20th Century French Dresser in Louis XV Style in Rosewood

20th Century French Dresser in Louis XV Style in Rosewood

Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont

French dresser from the early 20th century. Moved and curved furniture in Louis XV style of great

Category

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

Materials

Marble, Bronze

20th Century French Inlaid Dresser Decorated with Gilded Bronzes
20th Century French Inlaid Dresser Decorated with Gilded Bronzes

20th Century French Inlaid Dresser Decorated with Gilded Bronzes

Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont

French dresser of the second half of the 20th century. Moved and curved furniture richly inlaid

Category

Late 20th Century French Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble, Bronze

20th Century French Inlaid Dresser with Marble Top
20th Century French Inlaid Dresser with Marble Top

20th Century French Inlaid Dresser with Marble Top

Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont

French dresser of the 20th century. Furniture in rosewood and kingwood with pleasant floral inlay

Category

Mid-20th Century French Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble, Bronze

20th Century French Inlaid Dresser with Marble Top
20th Century French Inlaid Dresser with Marble Top

20th Century French Inlaid Dresser with Marble Top

Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont

French dresser in Louis XV style from the mid-20th century. Furniture elegantly inlaid in mahogany

Category

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

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Antique Pair French Louis XV Chiffonier Marble & Kingwood Tall Lingerie Chests
Antique Pair French Louis XV Chiffonier Marble & Kingwood Tall Lingerie Chests

Antique Pair French Louis XV Chiffonier Marble & Kingwood Tall Lingerie Chests

Located in Portland, OR

A fine Pair of antique 19th century French, Louis XV 'Semainiers', tall Lingerie marble topped

Category

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

Materials

Marble, Bronze, Ormolu

Pair of French Louis XVI Style Mid-Century Leather Covered Chests of Drawers
Pair of French Louis XVI Style Mid-Century Leather Covered Chests of Drawers

Pair of French Louis XVI Style Mid-Century Leather Covered Chests of Drawers

Located in Stamford, CT

Handsome and elegant pair of large-scale French Louis XVI style leather wrapped commodes with

Category

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

Materials

Bronze

Maison Jansen Faux Bamboo and Gilt Decorated Dresser Cabinet Silvered Glass Top
Maison Jansen Faux Bamboo and Gilt Decorated Dresser Cabinet Silvered Glass Top

Maison Jansen Faux Bamboo and Gilt Decorated Dresser Cabinet Silvered Glass Top

By Maison Jansen

Located in Stamford, CT

Stamped Maison Jansen faux bamboo six-drawer chest or dresser with mirrored top. Brass pulls, gilt

Category

Vintage 1950s French Hollywood Regency Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

19th Century, French Louis XV Style Lacquered Wood Chest of Drawers
19th Century, French Louis XV Style Lacquered Wood Chest of Drawers

19th Century, French Louis XV Style Lacquered Wood Chest of Drawers

Located in IT

19th century, French Louis XV style lacquered wood chest of drawers The small chest of drawers

Category

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

Materials

Bronze

20th Century Small French Inlaid Dresser with Marble Top
20th Century Small French Inlaid Dresser with Marble Top

20th Century Small French Inlaid Dresser with Marble Top

Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont

Small French dresser of the 20th century. Furniture nicely inlaid in mahogany, rosewood, palisander

Category

Mid-20th Century French Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble, Bronze

19th Century Mahogany Dresser/ Side Table Marquetry Napoleon III, France, 1870
19th Century Mahogany Dresser/ Side Table Marquetry Napoleon III, France, 1870

19th Century Mahogany Dresser/ Side Table Marquetry Napoleon III, France, 1870

Located in Lichtenberg, AT

firegilt brass applications. Providing two small drawers, this fantastic restored antique French commode or

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Commodes and Chests of Dra...

Materials

Brass

Pair Antique French Semainier Ormolu Inlaid Lingerie Marble Chests Dressers 1900
Pair Antique French Semainier Ormolu Inlaid Lingerie Marble Chests Dressers 1900

Pair Antique French Semainier Ormolu Inlaid Lingerie Marble Chests Dressers 1900

Located in Portland, OR

A very fine pair of antique French lingerie Semainier chests of drawers, made of inlaid kingwood

Category

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

Materials

Marble, Brass, Ormolu

French Transitional Louis XV XVI Style Chest Of Drawers
French Transitional Louis XV XVI Style Chest Of Drawers

French Transitional Louis XV XVI Style Chest Of Drawers

By Charles Topino, Pierre Macret

Located in Forney, TX

A stunning French Louis XV - XVI Transition style Brèche d'Alep marble-top chest of drawers commode

Category

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

Materials

Breccia Marble, Bronze

20th Century Lacquered Chinoiserie Wood Marble-Top French Louis XV Style Dresser
20th Century Lacquered Chinoiserie Wood Marble-Top French Louis XV Style Dresser

20th Century Lacquered Chinoiserie Wood Marble-Top French Louis XV Style Dresser

Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont

French dresser in Louis XV style of the 20th century. Furniture lacquered chinoiserie, with handles

Category

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

Materials

Marble, Bronze

19th Century French Louis XV Style Antique Bombe Chest of Drawers
19th Century French Louis XV Style Antique Bombe Chest of Drawers

19th Century French Louis XV Style Antique Bombe Chest of Drawers

Located in Shippensburg, PA

A most handsome piece from the turn of the centuries, this commode features a rich surface of

Category

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

Materials

Marble, Bronze

20th Century French Chest of Drawers with Marble Top in Louis XV Style
20th Century French Chest of Drawers with Marble Top in Louis XV Style

20th Century French Chest of Drawers with Marble Top in Louis XV Style

Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont

French chest of drawers of the early 20th century. Furniture of exceptional quality, richly

Category

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

Materials

Marble, Bronze

French Regency Burl Walnut Inlaid Chest on Chest , Circa 1815
French Regency Burl Walnut Inlaid Chest on Chest , Circa 1815

French Regency Burl Walnut Inlaid Chest on Chest , Circa 1815

Located in Charleston, SC

French Regency Burl Walnut graduated seven drawer chest on chest with a carved molded tiered

Category

Antique 1810s French Regency Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass, Ormolu

  • 1
  • ...
Get Updated with New Arrivals
Save "French Gilt Commode", and we’ll notify you when there are new listings in this category.

French Gilt Commode For Sale on 1stDibs

With a vast inventory of beautiful furniture at 1stDibs, we’ve got just the French gilt commode you’re looking for. Frequently made of wood, metal and bronze, every French gilt commode was constructed with great care. If you’re shopping for a French gilt commode, we have 446 options in-stock, while there are 1 modern editions to choose from as well. Your living room may not be complete without a French gilt commode — find older editions for sale from the 18th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 21st Century. Each French gilt commode bearing Louis XV, Louis XVI or Empire hallmarks is very popular. You’ll likely find more than one French gilt commode that is appealing in its simplicity, but François Linke, Maison Jansen and Paul Sormani produced versions that are worth a look.

How Much is a French Gilt Commode?

Prices for a French gilt commode can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, they begin at $1,017 and can go as high as $626,539, while the average can fetch as much as $10,269.

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.

Read More

37 Cheerful Home Bars, Where Everybody (Literally) Knows Your Name

Simple or sophisticated, equipped with console, cart or custom cabinetry, these stylish bar areas deserve a toast.

The Ultimate Guide to Types of Tables for the Home

Whether you’re just moving in or ready to give your home a makeover, our guide will give you pointers on tables that are fitting for every room, nook and hallway.

What Exactly Is a Secretary Desk, and What Is It Used For?

The furniture equivalent of a Swiss Army knife, it's the multifunctional piece you didn't know you needed.

This Shelving System with Oxidized Brass Tubes Is Retro and Futuristic at Once

Italian studio DimoreMilano mustered great ingenuity when crafting these sculptural shelves, which are built without any screws.

Ask an Interior Designer: Work-from-Home Edition

Leaping into a design project, whether it's refreshing the bedroom or redoing the whole house, can be overwhelming. Luckily, we know more than a few interior designers. You asked questions on Instagram, and now they're answering.

Collected and Eclectic, ‘Wunderkammern’ Are Back in a Big Way

Introduced nearly 500 years ago, curiosity cabinets are finding new fans among today's collectors and designers.

Meet the Incredible Woman Transforming Fallen Trees into Sleek Furniture

In the hands of New York Heartwoods cofounder Megan Offner, unwanted local trees become works of design art.

These New York Architects Love a Complicated Project

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.