Antique Broken Arch Top Harlequin Highboy
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A very well made Highboy with fine traditional form, dove-tail drawer construction, later Batwing pulls and escutcheons, top turned Finials, two deep square drawers with Scalloped ca...
Metal
18th Century Hand-Painted Venetian Style Harlequin Inspired Serenissima Chest
By Porte Italia
Located in Ronchi dei Legionari, IT
From our hand-painted Furniture Collection, we are pleased to introduce you to our Serenissima chest with Harlequin inspired decors. Harlequin, the most discriminating character fro...
Wood
Harlequin's Tower
By Waxwing Studio
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A playful monolith. The austere geometry and delineation of this tall chest of drawers are undermined by the rippling figure of the wraparound cherry cladding and the “flame” pattern...
Beech, Cherry, Mahogany
Unavailable
H 24.5 in W 28.5 in D 19 in
SALE! SALE! SALE! Pair of "Harlequin" Bombay Chests, Travertine Tops STUNNING
Located in Miami, Miami Design District, FL
Pair of Harlequin Bombay chests with travertine tops, Hollywood Glam, charming and playful.Perfect for childrens room.Original condition
Travertine
Unavailable
H 35.13 in W 41.75 in D 21 in
18th Century Italian Rococo Marquetry Bombé Chest of Drawers
Located in San Francisco, CA
A rare 18th century Italian Louis XV arbalette bombé commode featuring harlequin palisander marquetry bordered by satinwood stringing and rosewood crossbanding, an unusual lifted ski...
Carrara Marble
Stylish Louis XV Designed Harlequin Commode
Located in Essex, MA
Stylish French Louis XV Style Commode with Gilt Bronze Mounts Lacquered in Black and White Harlequin Design.
Wood
Pair of 19th Century Style Harlequin Commodes
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Pair of 19th century style continental commodes. In a fabulous red, blue and white harlequin design each featuring two drawers and standing on simple tapering legs.
Wood, Paint
Harlequin Painted Chest of Drawers
Located in Cirencester, GB
We sourced this wonderful pair of chest of drawers from Catalonia, Spain. The drawers are late 19th century in their original white which has had the black harlequin geometric desig...
Pine
Swedish Harlequin Diamond Parquetry Chest of Drawers
Located in Atlanta, GA
Parquetry chest of drawers rendered in golden flame birch. Beautifully detailed drawers. White Bakelite-type pulls. Tapered legs.
Birch
Swedish Harlequin Diamond Parquetry Chest of Drawers
Located in Atlanta, GA
Parquetry chest of drawers or dresser rendered in golden elm and Carpathian elm. Ample dove-tailed drawers. Brass-tone ring pulls. Carved cabriole legs. Key included.
Wood
Chest of Drawers with Harlequin Pattern, 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Brick-red chest of drawers with three drawers and coffered sides. The chest of drawers stands on square pointed feet and has been newly painted according to historical models. The fr...
Wood
Sold
H 35.63 in W 45.28 in D 21.66 in
Hand Painted Chest of Drawers with Harlequin Pattern, 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Hand-painted chest of drawers with three drawers and a straight body. This chest of drawers was repainted according to historical models with a diamond pattern in white-grey and pati...
Wood
Sold
H 35.44 in W 43.71 in D 20.08 in
19th Chest of drawers, commoda, Harlequin Louis XV , Grey and Raw White
By French House & Garden
Located in Valladolid, ES
Gorgeous French dresser Louis XV style made in the late 19th-early 20th century. This amazing chest of drawers have a front bombé or panzudo, divided into two large drawers, the lar...
Marble
Art Deco Revival Macassar Ebony and Beechwood Two-Door Cabinet
Located in Chicago, IL
Macassar ebony commode with beechwood harlequin inlay doors, ivory like ball feet and plinth base in the manner of Emile-Jacques Ruhlmann.
Resin, Beech, Macassar, Lacquer
Harlequin Sheraton
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Harlequin Sheraton cabinet in brown parchment with brass inlay.
Brass
Harlequin Motif Credenza with Nine Drawers
Located in Atlanta, GA
Fabulous as a Dresser, Buffet, or Credenza
Brass
1940's cabinets w/gold tooled harlequin design on leather fronts
Located in New York, NY
Pair of oak cabinets, green leather fronts
with gold tooled harlequin design. Square brass pulls.
Brass
$5,850Sale Price|25% Off
H 37.5 in W 57 in D 25.5 in
18th Century Italian Neoclassical Polychrome Painted Commode
Located in Atlanta, GA
Italian, 18th century, case with pale blue paint with ebonized moldings and mustard, terracotta, and dark blue painted panels, bronze escutcheons, tenoned and dovetailed construction.
Wood, Paint
$5,542 / item
H 35.04 in W 31.5 in D 15.95 in
18th Century Hand-Painted Venetian Style Barberini Cabinet with Internal Shelf
By Porte Italia
Located in Ronchi dei Legionari, IT
From our Hand-Painted Furniture Collection, we are pleased to introduce you to our Barberini cabinet with Internal Shelf. In a matt black base color with golden leaf embellishments, ...
Wood
$6,114 / item
H 35.04 in W 44.89 in D 16.15 in
18th Century Hand Painted Venetian Style Blue Barberini Chest with Drawers
By Porte Italia
Located in Ronchi dei Legionari, IT
From our hand painted Furniture Collection, we are pleased to introduce you to our Deep Sea Blue Barberini Chest with Drawers. In a Deep Sea Blue color background with our sunflower...
Wood
$2,750
H 25.75 in W 32.25 in D 17.5 in
Karges French Provincial Hand Painted Venetian Bombe Commode Nightstand Chest
By Karges Furniture
Located in Dayton, OH
This mid-century Karges Venetian-style bombe chest is a masterclass in French Provincial cabinetry, showcasing a heavily contoured swelling silhouette supported by short, elegant cab...
Hardwood, Paint
Venetian Chest of Drawers, Hand Painted, 18th C
Located in Houston, TX
The use of color and the unusual architectural paintings on this Piece make it very unique. It has a faux marble top in apricot Coloration. It is very old and is in the original 18...
Wood
$4,063
H 70 in W 41 in D 21 in
Antique American Chippendale Mahogany Chest on Chest Highboy Dresser 70"
Located in Dayton, OH
An exquisite American Chippendale Highboy, circa 1790. Features a mahogany case with 9 hand dovetailed drawers of oak construction with solid classic solid brass batwing bale pulls ...
Brass
$8,456 / item
H 38.98 in W 38.19 in D 22.45 in
18th Century Hand-Painted Venetian Style Light Blue Dorsoduro Chest of Drawers
By Porte Italia
Located in Ronchi dei Legionari, IT
From our Hand-Painted Furniture Collection, we are pleased to introduce you to our Light Blue Dorsoduro Chest of Drawers. This beautiful piece echoes the sweetness of those still s...
Wood
$4,400
H 31.5 in W 37.5 in D 15.5 in
19th Century Austrian Original Hand-Painted Cabinet Chest of Drawers
Located in Round Top, TX
19th century Austrian cabinet, crafted in pine with a highly decorative original hand-painted folk art finish. A central concave curved cabinet door depicts a soldier or nobleman on ...
Pine, Paint
$5,085 / item
H 31.11 in W 22.05 in D 14.97 in
18th Century Hand-Painted Venetian Style Harlequin Inspired Brenta Nightstand
By Porte Italia
Located in Ronchi dei Legionari, IT
From our hand-painted Furniture Collection, we are pleased to introduce you to our Brenta Nightstand - Cabinet. This Classic, Venetian style Brenta nightstand wears an unusual vest...
Wood
18th Century New England Queen Anne Highboy
Located in Norwood, NJ
Queen Anne bonnet top highboy, Northeast, Connecticut, Rhode Island or Massachusetts 18th century, cherry wood constructed in two parts. Bonnet top with flame-carved finials set on f...
Cherry
$8,800Sale Price|20% Off
H 35 in W 47 in D 22 in
18th Century Polychrome Painted Faux Marble Top Neoclassical Chest of Drawers.
Located in Vero Beach, FL
18th Century North Italian Polychrome Painted and Faux Marble Top Neoclassical Chest of Drawers. Elaborately hand painted 18th century three drawer Italian chest. Probably Florence....
Wood
1981 Statton Queen Anne Style Highboy
By Statton Furniture
Located in Bradenton, FL
A 1981 Queen Anne style highboy made of solid Appalachian cherry wood, made by Statton Furniture Company for their Private Collection II. Carved flame finials surmount the bonnet top...
Brass
$8,456 / item
H 38.98 in W 38.19 in D 22.45 in
18th Century Hand-Painted Venetian Style Dorsoduro Chest with Blooming Flowers
By Porte Italia
Located in Ronchi dei Legionari, IT
From our Hand-Painted Furniture Collection, we are pleased to introduce you to our Mouseback Dorsoduro Chest of Drawers. This beautiful piece is made in this brown-grey background t...
Wood
$5,828 / item
H 35.04 in W 44.89 in D 16.15 in
18th Century Hand Painted Venetian Style Green Barberini Chest with Drawers
By Porte Italia
Located in Ronchi dei Legionari, IT
From our hand painted Furniture Collection, we are pleased to introduce you to our Chalky White Barberini Chest with Drawers. The Chalky White Barberini Chest of Drawers brings a cha...
Wood
Italian 20th Century Painted & Gilt Chest of Drawers
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A substantial Italian chest of drawers from the early 20th century with a flamboyant, scalloped façade of original layered blue paint finish and gold trim. The trompe l'oeil marble t...
Brass
$3,900Sale Price|40% Off
H 83.5 in W 38.75 in D 22 in
Old American Mahogany "New England Block Front" Chippendale Style Chest on Chest
Located in CHARLESTON, SC
Superb quality old American mahogany "New England Block Front" Chippendale style chest on chest, circa 1910-1915. Please note hand dove-tailed, oak- lined drawers and original "Willo...
Mahogany
$14,950 / item
H 33.08 in W 115.36 in D 61.82 in
1950's Style Curved Velvet Sofa in Custom Velvet Colors
Located in New York, NY
The Sofa inspires itself nature where green is the predominant element and where valleys and hills prevail. The item’s details allow it to be the perfect statement piece for any cont...
Velvet, Walnut
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
Meissen, Germany. Set of six "Pink Indian" porcelain lunch plates.
Located in København, Copenhagen
Meissen, Germany. A set of six "Pink Indian" porcelain lunch plates. Hand-painted with purple floral motifs, gold rim. Mid-20th century. Marked. Third and fourth factory quality. Per...
Porcelain
$2,700
H 21.5 in W 17.5 in D 8.5 in
Japanese Marquetry Hanging or Table Cabinet, Meiji Period, c. 1900, Japan
Located in Austin, TX
A large and remarkable Japanese lacquer and marquetry decorated table or hanging cabinet, Meiji Period, circa 1900, Japan. The cabinet of square form surmounted by an arched top wit...
Metal, Brass, Copper
$18,000 / set
H 19 in W 10.25 in D 5.25 in
Pair of Venetian Bronze & Decorative Etched Mirrored Wall Sconces, C. 1800
Located in Charleston, SC
Pair of Venetian two-arm bronze mirrored wall sconces with etched decorative floral, bird, and butterfly motif. Sconces retain the original wood backs and have been electrified, Earl...
Bronze
Chinese Famille Noir Mille Fleur Assembled Service
Located in Austin, TX
A large assembled set of Chinese porcelain mille fleur wares. The set featuring a full tea service, as well as various plates, cups, and saucers. All piece in the mille fleur, or tho...
Porcelain
$10,913 / item
H 19.69 in W 70.87 in D 47.25 in
Alexander and Jones Sunday Daybed Wide in Walnut & Bouclé Handcrafted to Order
Located in Cirencester, England
The Sunday Daybed (Wide) is a signature made-to-order piece by Alexander and Jones, handcrafted in our Cotswolds studio, UK, from sculpted solid walnut with our signature wave form f...
Brass
Swedish Art Deco Moderne Round Pedestal End or Side Table
Located in Atlanta, GA
Bookmatched golden elm top on solid dark flame birch pedestal tripod base.
Birch, Elm
$13,700
H 53.25 in W 23.75 in D 17.5 in
Chinese Export Coromandel Lacquer Cabinet on Stand, Mid-19th Century, China
Located in Austin, TX
A delightful Chinese coromandel brown lacquer cabinet on stand, made for the export market, early to mid-19th century, China, presented on an early 20th century custom fitted stand. ...
Brass
Giacometti Style Neoclassical Gilt Iron Daybed or Sofa 7 Ft
Located in Rio Vista, CA
A stunning French mid-20th century modern daybed or sofa crafted in the Neoclassical taste from gilded wrought iron. The daybed features an elegant gilt decorated wrought iron frame ...
Wrought Iron
French alp wood armchair
Located in grand Lancy, CH
Unique French alp wood armchair
Wood
'Viscontea' Pendant by Achille & Pier Castiglionni
By Achille Castiglioni, Flos, Pier Giacomo Castiglioni
Located in Brussels, BE
Cocoon pendant called 'Viscontea' by Achille and Pier Castiglionni for Flos 1960's first edition. Very warm light diffuser. Nice sculptural shape
Resin
Monumental Oak Glazed Haberdashery Bookcase Cabinet
Located in Staffordshire, GB
circa 1890 Monumental Oak Glazed Haberdashery Bookcase Cabinet Provenance: St James's, London. An exceptional example sku 1788B Base W332 x D47 x H94 cm Top W334 x D37 x H216 cm Toge...
Oak
$22,720Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 7.49 in W 37.41 in D 37.41 in
Le Mah Jong Modular Sofa Hans Hopfer Roche Bobois Missoni Silk Velvet, Corduroy
By Roche Bobois, Hans Hopfer, Missoni
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mah Jong modular sofa set by Hans Hopfer, designed in 1971 for Roche Bobois and in a current customized mix of textiles from Sonia Rykiel and the house of Missoni. Features multiple ...
Silk, Velvet
ONIX Organic Modern Pouf Ottoman in Dedar Velvet Tiger Mountain
Located in Viseu, PT
Like a talisman for the home, Onix pouf exudes quiet luxury and natural beauty. Onix is upholstered with Tiger Mountain, an opulent and luxurious jacquard velvet fabric from italian...
Jacquard, Velvet
Murano Glass Fazzoletto Handkerchief Vase, 1960s
Located in Niederdorfelden, Hessen
A small Murano glass Fazzoletto handkerchief vase from the 1960s.
Murano Glass
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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