A very fine George I walnut tallboy
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A very fine George I walnut tallboy, of typical rectangular form with a wide base containing three
Antique 1720s English George I Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
A very fine George I walnut tallboy
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A very fine George I walnut tallboy, of typical rectangular form with a wide base containing three
Walnut
18th Century George I Walnut Tallboy Chest-on-Stand, England
Located in Houston, TX
A superb early 18th-century George I walnut "tallboy" chest-on-stand, featuring exquisite oyster
Walnut
$8,765
H 63.39 in W 35.04 in D 21.07 in
George I Walnut Tallboy Chest on Stand, Burr Elm Veneer, Antique, 1715
Located in Shipston-On-Stour, GB
A superb early Georgian tallboy or chest on stand with key, dating from early 1700s. The upper
Walnut
Walnut 18th Century Georgian Tallboy Chest On Chest
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A Wonderful Early 18th Century, George I Period, Walnut Chest On Chest, Or Tallboy, Of Attractive
Walnut
George I Walnut Tallboy
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A George I walnut tallboy, of tall rectangular form, the upper section with a moulded cornice over
Walnut
Attractive George I Walnut and Feather Banded Tallboy
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
An attractive George I walnut and feather banded tallboy, the upper section with stop-fluted canted
Rare Very Small Georgian Walnut Tallboy
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
An Extremely Attractive And Very Rare Early 18th Century, George I Period, Walnut Tallboy, Or Chest
Walnut
Antique 18th Century Walnut Chest on Chest / Tallboy
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A delightful George I period walnut chest on chest, or tallboy, of diminutive proportions having
Walnut
Small Georgian Walnut Tallboy
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A charming early 18th century George I period walnut tallboy, or chest on chest, of extremely rare
Walnut
George I Burr Walnut Tallboy
Located in London, GB
A good George I burr walnut tallboy, the upper part with canted corners above a brushing slide, the
George I Walnut Tallboy/chest on chest
Located in Wiltshire, GB
George I walnut tallboy of superb colour, patination and proportions with inlaid starburst to the
Walnut
Unusual Early 18th Century George I Walnut Tallboy
Located in Bradford on Avon, GB
This unusual example is of rare small size and is most exceptional for the inclusion of a door and flanking pilasters to the upper section. The
Walnut
Early 18th Century George I Period Burr Walnut Secretaire Tallboy
Located in London, GB
A fine early 18th century George I Period burr walnut secretaire tallboy, the shaped cornice above
Brass
Early 18th Century George I Period Walnut Chest on Chest Tallboy
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
pre-cockbeading drawer mouldings and proper oak lined drawers. George I, circa 1720. Measures
An Antique Georgian Walnut Tallboy
Located in London, GB
An usually slim George I period walnut veneered tallboy; the crossgrain veneered cavetto cornice
Walnut
Chest on Chest Walnut
Located in Bradford on Avon, GB
Unusual Early 18th Century George I Walnut Tallboy This unusual example is of rare small size and
Classic Empire Center Table, Oatmeal
Located in Westwood, NJ
A Classic Empire style grey cerused oak oatmeal stained center table with a carved ogee edge, raised on an octagonal pedestal base. Dimensions: 42" W x 42" D x 30" H. Clearance: 27"
Wood
18th Century Lacquer and Gilt Chinoiserie Bureau Bookcase
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
18th Century Chinoiserie Lacquered Bureau Bookcase Item Code: S26-61 A striking 18th century chinoiserie bureau bookcase, decorated throughout in later red lacquer with hand-painted...
Oak
18th Century George III Mahogany Chest on Chest
Located in Essex, MA
Beautiful Mahogany George III Chest on Chest. Carved Adam Frieze with exotic wood chamfered corners. Original backboards and dovetailed drawers. Quite lovely patina and color. Early ...
Mahogany
George III Mahogany Breakfront Bureau Bookcase
Located in Huntington, NY
This exceptional George III Mahogany Breakfront Bureau Bookcase with Glazed Doors, has wonderful flame & crotch grain Mahogany. Comprised of a large central cabinet, flanked by 2 sma...
Brass
$976,800
H 15 in W 39 in D 34 in
Tiffany & Company, George Paulding Farnham, A Rare, Lavish Silver Centerpiece
By Paulding Farnham., Tiffany & Co.
Located in Long Island City, NY, NY
Tiffany & Company and George Paulding Farnham, A rare, lavish and monumental sterling silver centerpiece with original mirrored-glass sterling silver plateau, circa 1900. Museum...
Sterling Silver
$47,197
H 94 in W 18 in D 10 in
18th Century Antique Walnut Longcase Clock by Daniel Delander of London
By Daniel Delander
Located in Devon, GB
This superb George I period antique longcase clock by Daniel Delander is cased in highly figured walnut veneer of lovely colour and patina. Standing on a double plinth there is a pan...
Walnut
Large English Porcelain Dinner Service, Minton, circa 1845
Located in New York, NY
With a soft turquoise ground, painted with a fine spray of flowers, with gilt scroll and dash borders. Comprising pair of covered tureens and stands, pair of vegetable tureens, well ...
Porcelain
Fabergé Silver Flatware Service
By Fabergé
Located in New Orleans, LA
This exceptional 77-piece complete service by Fabergé is a rare treasure from the world-renowned firm. Enclosed in its original oak chest, the exquisite service remains complete and ...
Silver
A fine pair of George 11 burled walnut chests
Located in Dallas, TX
A fine pair of 18th century English burled walnut George 11 period chests
Walnut
King George I Ambassadorial Secrétaire-Cabinet
Located in New Orleans, LA
This highly important secrétaire-cabinet was crafted for and specially ordered by King George I for the British Ambassador to Russia. From its craftsmanship and materials to its exce...
Brass
$95,950 / set
H 12 in W 18 in D 18 in
Chrysanthemum Tiffany Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service 255 pcs Fitted Chest
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Big Bend, WI
Chrysanthemum (c1880) originally called Indian Chrysanthemum .Tiffany's luxurious Chrysanthemum silver was designed in 1880 by Charles Grosjean. With its flowing curves, swirling ve...
Sterling Silver
18th Century Mahogany Secretaire Bookcase China Cabinet
Located in Lymington, GB
A fine English mid-18th century mahogany secretaire / secretary / bookcase / china cabinet. Of lovely, deep, rich color, patina and quality. George III-period, circa 1760. The bold...
Mahogany
Virginian Walnut Tallboy/Chest on Chest circa 1750
Located in Sherborne, GB
George 2nd Virginia walnut Tallboy/chest on chest with fluted canted corners on bracket feet circa 1750. Retaining its original brass handles, escutcheons and iron locks. The drawer ...
Walnut
Georgian Mahogany Tall Boy, circa 1800
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality Chippendale period mahogany chest on chest, having a dental cornice, canted corners with blind fretwork, a brushing slide, original brass handles, oak lined drawe...
Mahogany
18th Century George III Mahogany Chest on Chest
Located in Long Island City, NY
The dentiled cornice above a rinceau scroll frieze and a series of two short and four long drawers. On a base with two long drawers, floral molding and acanthus-carved ogee feet. Wit...
Brass
$125,000
H 214 in W 124.5 in D 22 in
An Extraordinary George III Triple Breakfront Mahogany Glazed Cabinet
Located in Greenwich, CT
An extraordinary 18th century cabinet with triple breakfront glazed windows above a lower range of stepped doors, surmounted by an ogee molded architrave with three triangle pediment...
Mahogany
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.