French Provincial Lingerie Chest
20th Century French French Provincial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Brass
Mid-20th Century French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
Vintage 1960s American French Provincial Dressers
Brass, Bronze
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Antique 19th Century European Louis XVI Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut, Burl
Vintage 1950s American Rococo Side Tables
Wood
Vintage 1940s American Georgian Dressers
Brass
Early 2000s American Mission Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XV Cabinets
Walnut
Antique 1880s French Louis XVI Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
Early 20th Century Italian Baroque Dressers
Walnut
Mid-20th Century French Louis XVI Cabinets
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century North American Regency Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
Vintage 1960s American Georgian Dressers
Brass
Antique 1760s English George III Dressers
Mahogany
Antique 1880s French French Provincial Platters and Serveware
Faience
Mid-20th Century French French Provincial Delft and Faience
Earthenware
Antique 19th Century French Gothic Revival Benches
Chestnut
Vintage 1950s Swedish Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
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Mid-20th Century French French Provincial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Boxwood, Kingwood, Pearwood
Mid-20th Century American French Provincial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Mid-20th Century American French Provincial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Vintage 1960s American Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass, Bronze
Mid-20th Century French Provincial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Cherry
Mid-20th Century American French Provincial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Cherry
Mid-20th Century American French Provincial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
Vintage 1970s French Provincial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
Antique Late 18th Century French French Provincial Commodes and Chests o...
Walnut
Vintage 1960s American Louis XV Dressers
Brass
20th Century European French Provincial Dressers
Burl
Antique 18th Century and Earlier French Wardrobes and Armoires
Antique Late 19th Century French French Provincial Commodes and Chests o...
Faux Bamboo
Early 20th Century French French Provincial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
1990s American French Provincial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Finding the Right commodes-chests-of-drawers for You
Is it 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 a 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.
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.