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Pair of Walnut and Oak Inlaid Louis XVI Styled Commodes
Pair of Walnut and Oak Inlaid Louis XVI Styled Commodes

Pair of Walnut and Oak Inlaid Louis XVI Styled Commodes

Located in Nashville, TN

Pair of bird';s eye walnut commodes with sides and doors inset with curly oak panels . The doors

Category

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

Materials

Marble

A Very Fine Quality Pair of Louis XV Style Bombe Commodes
A Very Fine Quality Pair of Louis XV Style Bombe Commodes

A Very Fine Quality Pair of Louis XV Style Bombe Commodes

Located in New York, NY

A very fine quality bronze mounted pair of Louis XV style marble top bombe commodes.

Category

Antique 19th Century French Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Pair of Louis XV - XVI Marble Top Coromandel Commodes, 19th c.
Pair of Louis XV - XVI Marble Top Coromandel Commodes, 19th c.

Pair of Louis XV - XVI Marble Top Coromandel Commodes, 19th c.

Located in Westwood, NJ

Pair of Louis XV - XVI Transitional Sienna Marble Top Coromandel Two Drawer Commodes w Bronze

Category

Antique 19th Century French Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Fine Pair Baker Louis XVI Bronze Mounted Commodes in Red Lacquer
Fine Pair Baker Louis XVI Bronze Mounted Commodes in Red Lacquer

Fine Pair Baker Louis XVI Bronze Mounted Commodes in Red Lacquer

By Baker Furniture Company

Located in Swedesboro, NJ

This is a rare pair of red lacquer Baker French commodes. They are in their original finish and in

Category

Vintage 1980s French Louis XIV Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Walnut

Pair of Louis XV Commodes Chests Night Stands with Marble Top
Pair of Louis XV Commodes Chests Night Stands with Marble Top

Pair of Louis XV Commodes Chests Night Stands with Marble Top

Located in Dallas, TX

Pair of Louis XV mahogany and king-wood parquetry commodes with marble tops and gilt bronze mounts

Category

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

Pair Swedish Style Distress Painted Three-Drawer Commodes Chests or Nightstands
Pair Swedish Style Distress Painted Three-Drawer Commodes Chests or Nightstands

Pair Swedish Style Distress Painted Three-Drawer Commodes Chests or Nightstands

Located in Stamford, CT

Pair of Swedish style three-drawer commodes or nightstands each on square tapering legs with brass

Category

Vintage 1950s French Provincial Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Good Pair of Petit Commodes in the Louis XVI Manner
Good Pair of Petit Commodes in the Louis XVI Manner

Good Pair of Petit Commodes in the Louis XVI Manner

Located in London, GB

atop. France, circa 1890

Category

Antique 1890s French Louis XVI Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Jean-Claude Mahey Dark Blue Lacquered Brass Commodes, 1970s
Pair of Jean-Claude Mahey Dark Blue Lacquered Brass Commodes, 1970s

Pair of Jean-Claude Mahey Dark Blue Lacquered Brass Commodes, 1970s

By Maison Romeo, Jean Claude Mahey

Located in Paris, IDF

drawers, this beautiful pair of chest of drawers carries a stellar French mid-century aesthetic into the

Category

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

Materials

Brass

Magnificent Pair of Louis Philippe Mahogany and Inlayed Marble Top Commodes
Magnificent Pair of Louis Philippe Mahogany and Inlayed Marble Top Commodes

Magnificent Pair of Louis Philippe Mahogany and Inlayed Marble Top Commodes

Located in Dallas, TX

A very fine pair of Louis Philippe mahogany and satinwood banded commodes with Carrera marble tops.

Category

Antique Early 19th Century French Louis Philippe Commodes and Chests of ...

Materials

Mahogany

Pair Superb Directoire Maison Jansen Style Flame Mahogany Marble Top Commodes
Pair Superb Directoire Maison Jansen Style Flame Mahogany Marble Top Commodes

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

Category

Vintage 1940s French Directoire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Carrara 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

Pair of Louis XVI Style Mahogany Commodes or Chests of Drawers
Pair of Louis XVI Style Mahogany Commodes or Chests of Drawers

Pair of Louis XVI Style Mahogany Commodes or Chests of Drawers

Located in Winter Park, FL

A good pair of solid mahogany chests with brass trim and pulls topped with white marble, four

Category

20th Century French Louis XVI Commodes and Chests of Drawers

A Pair of Louis XV Style Bronze Mounted Concave Marble Top Commodes
A Pair of Louis XV Style Bronze Mounted Concave Marble Top Commodes

A Pair of Louis XV Style Bronze Mounted Concave Marble Top Commodes

Located in Stamford, CT

A Pair of Antique Louis XV Style Bronze Mounted Finely Inlaid Commodes / Nightstands. The beautiful

Category

Antique Late 17th Century French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Pair of Maison Jansen Louis XVI Style Marble-Top Commodes and Chests
Pair of Maison Jansen Louis XVI Style Marble-Top Commodes and Chests

Pair of Maison Jansen Louis XVI Style Marble-Top Commodes and Chests

By Maison Jansen

Located in Stamford, CT

Fine ebonized pair of Maison Jansen marble-top commodes and chests. Each inverted sided chest

Category

Vintage 1920s French Hollywood Regency Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Pair of Mahogany Four-Drawer Commode or Chests Attributed to Maison Jansen
Pair of Mahogany Four-Drawer Commode or Chests Attributed to Maison Jansen

Pair of Mahogany Four-Drawer Commode or Chests Attributed to Maison Jansen

By Maison Jansen

Located in Stamford, CT

A wonderful pair of Maison Jansen four-drawer bachelor chests. Each Louis XVI style chest having a

Category

Vintage 1940s French Louis XVI Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Pair of Stamped Jansen Commodes or Nightstands Chests in Louis XVI Style
Pair of Stamped Jansen Commodes or Nightstands Chests in Louis XVI Style

Pair of Stamped Jansen Commodes or Nightstands Chests in Louis XVI Style

By Maison Jansen

Located in Stamford, CT

Pair of stamped Jansen commodes or nightstands chests in Louis XVI style. Versatility is the key in

Category

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

Materials

Wood

Pair of Bronze-Mounted Maison Jansen Louis XVI Style Commodes, circa 1940s
Pair of Bronze-Mounted Maison Jansen Louis XVI Style Commodes, circa 1940s

Pair of Bronze-Mounted Maison Jansen Louis XVI Style Commodes, circa 1940s

By Maison Jansen

Located in Stamford, CT

Pair of French bronze-mounted Maison Jansen Louis XVI style commodes, circa 1940s. This outstanding

Category

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

Pair of Tortoise Louis XVI Style Commodes, Chests or Nightstands, Greek Key
Pair of Tortoise Louis XVI Style Commodes, Chests or Nightstands, Greek Key

Pair of Tortoise Louis XVI Style Commodes, Chests or Nightstands, Greek Key

By Maison Jansen

Located in Stamford, CT

Pair of tortoise wood bronze-mounted Greek key design commodes or bedside stands in the manner of

Category

Late 20th Century French Hollywood Regency Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Pair of Hollywood Regency Mint Green Marble-Top Faux Linen Look Commodes
Pair of Hollywood Regency Mint Green Marble-Top Faux Linen Look Commodes

Pair of Hollywood Regency Mint Green Marble-Top Faux Linen Look Commodes

By Maison Jansen

Located in Stamford, CT

look at this magnificent pair of commodes. The Louis XVI style turned legs having upper bronze caps and

Category

Vintage 1970s French Louis XVI Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble, 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

"False pair" because of the slight differences on the fruitwood marquetry decor Opening

Category

Antique 1870s French Louis XVI Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Marble-Top Louis XV Style Commodes Chests Attributed to Maison Jansen
Pair of Marble-Top Louis XV Style Commodes Chests Attributed to Maison Jansen

Pair of Marble-Top Louis XV Style Commodes Chests Attributed to Maison Jansen

By Maison Jansen

Located in Stamford, CT

Pair of marble-top commodes in the Louis XV fashion by Maison Jansen. This fabulous pair of oak

Category

Vintage 1910s French Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Pair of Marble-Top Louis XV Style Commodes Chests Attributed to Maison Jansen
Pair of Marble-Top Louis XV Style Commodes Chests Attributed to Maison Jansen

Pair of Marble-Top Louis XV Style Commodes Chests Attributed to Maison Jansen

By Maison Jansen

Located in Stamford, CT

Pair of marble-top commodes in the Louis XV fashion by Maison Jansen. This fabulous pair of oak

Category

Vintage 1910s French Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

A fine pair of 19th century Charles X mahogany and marble top commodes.
A fine pair of 19th century Charles X mahogany and marble top commodes.

A fine pair of 19th century Charles X mahogany and marble top commodes.

Located in Dallas, TX

A fine pair of 19th century Charles X period mahogany and Verde marble topped commodes . Original

Category

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

Materials

Mahogany

Pair of Late 19th-Early 20th Century Gilt Bronze-Mounted Malachite Commodes
Pair of Late 19th-Early 20th Century Gilt Bronze-Mounted Malachite Commodes

Pair of Late 19th-Early 20th Century Gilt Bronze-Mounted Malachite Commodes

Located in Long Island City, NY

. Each commode surmounted by a serpentine Malachite top, above two central doors, each centered by an

Category

Early 20th Century French Belle Époque Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Malachite, Bronze

Pair of small cream black lacquer brass commodes by J.C. Mahey 1970s
Pair of small cream black lacquer brass commodes by J.C. Mahey 1970s

Pair of small cream black lacquer brass commodes by J.C. Mahey 1970s

By Roche Bobois, Jean Claude Mahey

Located in Paris, IDF

for Roche Bobois in the 1970’s, these commodes are typical of the French designer. Fully restored, and

Category

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

Materials

Brass

Pair of Louis XV Style Kingwood Commodes with Bronze Mounts and Marble Tops
Pair of Louis XV Style Kingwood Commodes with Bronze Mounts and Marble Tops

Pair of Louis XV Style Kingwood Commodes with Bronze Mounts and Marble Tops

Located in Dallas, TX

A Pair of Louis XV Style Kingwood Commodes with Bronze Mounts and Marble Tops

Category

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

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Pair of 19th Century Louis XV Carved and Painted Bombe Two-Drawer Commodes
Pair of 19th Century Louis XV Carved and Painted Bombe Two-Drawer Commodes

Pair of 19th Century Louis XV Carved and Painted Bombe Two-Drawer Commodes

Located in Dallas, TX

France, circa 1890, the commodes with bombe front and sides, stand on cabriole legs over a scalloped

Category

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

Materials

Oak

Pair of Floral Etched Glass Italian Louis XV Style Mirrored Commodes Circa 1950s
Pair of Floral Etched Glass Italian Louis XV Style Mirrored Commodes Circa 1950s

Pair of Floral Etched Glass Italian Louis XV Style Mirrored Commodes Circa 1950s

Located in Swedesboro, NJ

This is a fine and very glamorous pair of Louis XV style Italian -made Murano style small commodes

Category

Vintage 1950s French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Art Glass, Mirror, Walnut

Pair of Louis XVI Style Commodes in Marquetry Wood and Gilt Bronze
Pair of Louis XVI Style Commodes in Marquetry Wood and Gilt Bronze

Pair of Louis XVI Style Commodes in Marquetry Wood and Gilt Bronze

Located in Paris, FR

Pair of Louis XVI style inlaid rosewood and gilded bronze consoles. It opens in front with a leaf

Category

Antique 1850s French Napoleon III Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Bronze

Pair of French Nightstand Chests
Pair of French Nightstand Chests

Pair of French Nightstand Chests

Located in Atlanta, GA

A Pair of French Nightstand Chest with Custom Paint. One Drawer and 1 Shelf.

Category

Antique 19th Century French Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Pair of 19th Century Louis XVI Carved Painted Commodes with Faux Marble Top
Pair of 19th Century Louis XVI Carved Painted Commodes with Faux Marble Top

Pair of 19th Century Louis XVI Carved Painted Commodes with Faux Marble Top

Located in Dallas, TX

Elegant pair of antique chests of drawers from France, circa 1860; each commode features detailed

Category

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

Materials

Oak, Paint

Pair of 19th Century Louis XVI Carved and Painted Three-Drawer Commodes Chests
Pair of 19th Century Louis XVI Carved and Painted Three-Drawer Commodes Chests

Pair of 19th Century Louis XVI Carved and Painted Three-Drawer Commodes Chests

Located in Dallas, TX

entry way. Crafted in France, circa 1860, each commode sits on tapered and fluted feet, and features

Category

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

Materials

Oak

Pair of 19th Century Louis XVI Carved and Painted Three-Drawer Commodes Chests
Pair of 19th Century Louis XVI Carved and Painted Three-Drawer Commodes Chests

Pair of 19th Century Louis XVI Carved and Painted Three-Drawer Commodes Chests

Located in Dallas, TX

door in an entry way. Crafted in France circa 1860, each commode sits on tapered and fluted feet over a

Category

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

Materials

Oak

Pair of 19th Century Louis XVI Carved and Painted Three-Drawer Commodes Chests
Pair of 19th Century Louis XVI Carved and Painted Three-Drawer Commodes Chests

Pair of 19th Century Louis XVI Carved and Painted Three-Drawer Commodes Chests

Located in Dallas, TX

entry way. Crafted in France circa 1860, each commode sits on tapered and fluted feet decorated with

Category

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

Materials

Oak

Pair of French Bombe Chests
Pair of French Bombe Chests

Pair of French Bombe Chests

Located in Stamford, CT

Pair of French Louis XV style bombe chests, circa 1920s, each has white beveled marble atop an

Category

Early 20th Century French Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble

Pair of French Bombay Chests
Pair of French Bombay Chests

Pair of French Bombay Chests

Located in Los Angeles, CA

This petite pair of French 3-drawer Bombay chests are painted a soft shade of blue/gray with silver

Category

Vintage 1930s French Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble, Vermeil, Silver

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 French Bedside Lamp Tables
Pair French Bedside Lamp Tables

Pair French Bedside Lamp Tables

Located in Swadlincote, GB

Excellent quality pair of French marquetry bedside chest of drawers, slim legs with ormolu feet

Category

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

Materials

Tulipwood

Pair of commodes in the Louis XV style, marquetry and gilt bronze, 19th century
Pair of commodes in the Louis XV style, marquetry and gilt bronze, 19th century

Pair of commodes in the Louis XV style, marquetry and gilt bronze, 19th century

Located in NICE, FR

A delightful pair of Gustavian commodes in the Louis XV style, based on the commode by Swedish

Category

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

Materials

Marble

One Pair of French Mirror Dressers
One Pair of French Mirror Dressers

One Pair of French Mirror Dressers

Located in Copenhagen K, DK

One pair of French mirror dressers in Venetian style, France circa the 1920-1940s. The commodes

Category

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

Materials

Mirror, Wood

Pair of 19th Century Louis XVI Carved Oak Painted Commodes with Faux Marble Top
Pair of 19th Century Louis XVI Carved Oak Painted Commodes with Faux Marble Top

Pair of 19th Century Louis XVI Carved Oak Painted Commodes with Faux Marble Top

Located in Dallas, TX

. Crafted in France, circa 1860, each commode sits on tapered and fluted legs, and features three drawers

Category

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

Materials

Oak

Pair of 19th Century French Cabinets
Pair of 19th Century French Cabinets

Pair of 19th Century French Cabinets

Located in Dallas, TX

Pair of 19th Century and later Antique French Cabinets, with doors having inlaid floral

Category

Antique 19th Century French Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Pair of French Notary Style Cabinets
Pair of French Notary Style Cabinets

Pair of French Notary Style Cabinets

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Tall French Style Notary Cabinets which can be place apart to show pair or pull together and make

Category

Early 20th Century French Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Cherry

Pair of Painted French Rococo Bombe Chests
Pair of Painted French Rococo Bombe Chests

Pair of Painted French Rococo Bombe Chests

Located in Stamford, CT

Pair of beautiful French Louis XV style bombe commodes, late 19th century, each painted in gorgeous

Category

Antique 19th Century French Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Pair of Palatial Marble-Top or Commodes with Bronze Mounts attrib to Jansen
Pair of Palatial Marble-Top or Commodes with Bronze Mounts attrib to Jansen

Pair of Palatial Marble-Top or Commodes with Bronze Mounts attrib to Jansen

Located in Stamford, CT

Pair of marble-top or commodes with bronze mounts. Fine pair of French bombe style commodes in the

Category

Vintage 1960s Unknown Hollywood Regency Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Pair of French Chinoiserie Painted Chests
Pair of French Chinoiserie Painted Chests

Pair of French Chinoiserie Painted Chests

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Pair of French greenish grey painted and raised gold and silver chinoiserie Bombay shaped chests

Category

Vintage 1930s French Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood, Paint

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

Pair of Antique French Bedside Chests

Located in London, GB

Pair of antique French bedside chests in solid golden oak and in lovely condition. They are very

Category

Antique 1890s French Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Oak

Pair of Antique French Style Side Tables
Pair of Antique French Style Side Tables

Pair of Antique French Style Side Tables

Located in London, GB

A beautiful pair of antique French style side tables, dating from around the 1930’s. They have a

Category

Vintage 1930s French Louis XVI Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Ormolu

Pair of 1920s French Mirrored Bedside Tables
Pair of 1920s French Mirrored Bedside Tables

Pair of 1920s French Mirrored Bedside Tables

Located in Copenhagen K, DK

A handsome pair of French mirrored commodes / bedside tables from the 1920’s. Would be a simply

Category

Vintage 1920s French Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mirror, Wood

Pair of French Notary Style Cabinets
Pair of French Notary Style Cabinets

Pair of French Notary Style Cabinets

Located in Los Angeles, CA

This pair of 1940s French notary cabinets embodies both versatility and timeless character. Whether

Category

Early 20th Century French Napoleon III Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Cherry

Pair of French 1940s Chests of Drawers
Pair of French 1940s Chests of Drawers

Pair of French 1940s Chests of Drawers

Located in London, GB

A pair of walnut veneered four-drawer commodes, of interesting construction and with most unusual

Category

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

Pair French Marquetry Bedside Chests of Drawers
Pair French Marquetry Bedside Chests of Drawers

Pair French Marquetry Bedside Chests of Drawers

Located in Swadlincote, GB

Super pair French three drawers marquetry bedside lamp chests of drawers, oak lined, ormolu mounts

Category

20th Century French French Provincial Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Tulipwood

Pair of French Provincial Style Walnut Chests
Pair of French Provincial Style Walnut Chests

Pair of French Provincial Style Walnut Chests

Located in Stamford, CT

Pair of French Provincial style chests of drawers, circa 1960s, the serpentine top over a

Category

Vintage 1960s French Country Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Pair of French Ebonized Chests of Drawers
Pair of French Ebonized Chests of Drawers

Pair of French Ebonized Chests of Drawers

Located in Stamford, CT

Pair of attractive French chests of drawers, 20th century, each ebonized and parcel-gilt, the

Category

20th Century French Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

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French Pair Commode For Sale on 1stDibs

Choose from an assortment of styles, material and more with respect to the French pair commode you’re looking for at 1stDibs. A French pair commode — often made from wood, metal and stone — can elevate any home. Find 583 options for an antique or vintage French pair commode now, or shop our selection of 2 modern versions for a more contemporary example of this long-cherished piece. There are many kinds of the French pair commode you’re looking for, from those produced as long ago as the 18th Century to those made as recently as the 21st Century. When you’re browsing for the right French pair commode, those designed in Louis XV, Louis XVI and Mid-Century Modern styles are of considerable interest. A well-made French pair commode has long been a part of the offerings for many furniture designers and manufacturers, but those produced by Maison Jansen, Jean Claude Mahey and Baker Furniture Company are consistently popular.

How Much is a French Pair Commode?

The average selling price for a French pair commode at 1stDibs is $6,791, while they’re typically $475 on the low end and $445,000 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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