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19th Century French Louis Philippe Walnut Chest of Drawers W/ Carrara Marble
19th Century French Louis Philippe Walnut Chest of Drawers W/ Carrara Marble

19th Century French Louis Philippe Walnut Chest of Drawers W/ Carrara Marble

Located in Astoria, NY

A handsome French Louis Philippe chest of drawers, mid-19th century, sourced in Paris. Crafted in

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Commodes and Chests of Dr...

Materials

Carrara Marble

Fine 19th Century Louis Philippe Walnut Veneered Marble Top Chest
Fine 19th Century Louis Philippe Walnut Veneered Marble Top Chest

Fine 19th Century Louis Philippe Walnut Veneered Marble Top Chest

By Louis Philippe

Located in Bridgeport, CT

A exceptional Chest with fine traditional French form and Belgian Marble top with great patterning

Category

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

Materials

Belgian Black Marble, Brass

1850 Louis Philippe Walnut Wood Traditional Sicilian Blanket Chest
1850 Louis Philippe Walnut Wood Traditional Sicilian Blanket Chest

1850 Louis Philippe Walnut Wood Traditional Sicilian Blanket Chest

Located in Catania, Sicilia

bride brought as a dowry for her wedding, it represents a piece of furniture from the Louis Philippe

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Sicilian Louis Philippe Blanket Chests

Materials

Walnut

Italian Louis Philippe Style Walnut Miniature Chest Commode Nightstand
Italian Louis Philippe Style Walnut Miniature Chest Commode Nightstand

Italian Louis Philippe Style Walnut Miniature Chest Commode Nightstand

Located in Dayton, OH

Vintage Louis Philippe style miniature chest of drawers / commode made of walnut with a string

Category

Late 20th Century Italian Louis Philippe Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Louis Philippe Book Matched Burl Walnut Chest With Marble Top
Louis Philippe Book Matched Burl Walnut Chest With Marble Top

Louis Philippe Book Matched Burl Walnut Chest With Marble Top

Located in Bradenton, FL

Louis Philippe Style Burl Walnut Chest of Drawers. This elegant antique chest of drawers is crafted

Category

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

Materials

Walnut, Burl

Antique French Louis Philippe Style Walnut Chest of Drawers
Antique French Louis Philippe Style Walnut Chest of Drawers

Antique French Louis Philippe Style Walnut Chest of Drawers

Located in Astoria, NY

A handsome late 19th-century French Louis Philippe dresser sourced from Provence. Hand-crafted from

Category

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

Materials

Brass

19th Century French Louis Philippe Walnut Four-Drawer Chest Commode
19th Century French Louis Philippe Walnut Four-Drawer Chest Commode

19th Century French Louis Philippe Walnut Four-Drawer Chest Commode

Located in Dallas, TX

striking flame walnut grain arranged in a symmetrical pattern, a hallmark of Louis Philippe cabinetry. The

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Commodes and Chests of Dr...

Materials

Walnut

Louis Philippe Walnut Marble Commode
Louis Philippe Walnut Marble Commode

Louis Philippe Walnut Marble Commode

Located in Houston, TX

19th Century Louis Philippe walnut commode with four drawers and marble top.

Category

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

Materials

Marble

French Chest of Drawers in Walnut Louis Philippe Period 19th Century
French Chest of Drawers in Walnut Louis Philippe Period 19th Century

French Chest of Drawers in Walnut Louis Philippe Period 19th Century

Located in SAINTE-COLOMBE, FR

French Chest of Drawers in Walnut Louis Philippe 19th Century   This is a beautifully proportioned

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Commodes and Chests of Dr...

Materials

Bronze

Antique 19th Century French Louis Philippe Walnut Burl Marble Top Commode Chest
Antique 19th Century French Louis Philippe Walnut Burl Marble Top Commode Chest

Antique 19th Century French Louis Philippe Walnut Burl Marble Top Commode Chest

Located in Dayton, OH

A French Louis Philippe Walnut Commode, c. 1840s. Features a rectangular form made from walnut

Category

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

Materials

Marble

Mid 19th Century French Louis Philippe Burl Walnut Five-Drawer Chest Commode
Mid 19th Century French Louis Philippe Burl Walnut Five-Drawer Chest Commode

Mid 19th Century French Louis Philippe Burl Walnut Five-Drawer Chest Commode

Located in Dallas, TX

This handsome Louis Philippe antique chest of drawers was crafted in walnut circa 1860, and

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Commodes and Chests of Dr...

Materials

Walnut, Burl

French Louis Philippe Chest or Commode of Burr Walnut with Marble Top
French Louis Philippe Chest or Commode of Burr Walnut with Marble Top

French Louis Philippe Chest or Commode of Burr Walnut with Marble Top

Located in Austin, TX

A handsome Louis Philippe console chest or commode from France, of beautifully patinated burled

Category

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

Materials

Marble, Stone, Metal, Brass

19th Century French Louis Philippe Walnut Commode Chest with White Marble Top
19th Century French Louis Philippe Walnut Commode Chest with White Marble Top

19th Century French Louis Philippe Walnut Commode Chest with White Marble Top

Located in Dallas, TX

This elegant antique French commode was crafted during the Louis Philippe period, circa 1860. The

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Commodes and Chests of Dr...

Materials

Marble

French Louis Philippe Chest or Commode of Burr Walnut with Marble Top
French Louis Philippe Chest or Commode of Burr Walnut with Marble Top

French Louis Philippe Chest or Commode of Burr Walnut with Marble Top

Located in Austin, TX

A fine Louis Philippe console chest or commode from France, of beautifully patinated burled walnut

Category

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

Materials

Stone, Marble, Metal, Brass

Louis-philippe Chest Of Drawers In Burr Walnut, Saint-anne Marble, Mid-19th Cent
Louis-philippe Chest Of Drawers In Burr Walnut, Saint-anne Marble, Mid-19th Cent

Louis-philippe Chest Of Drawers In Burr Walnut, Saint-anne Marble, Mid-19th Cent

Located in SAINT-CLÉMENT-DE-LA-PLACE, FR

Louis-Philippe Chest of Drawers in Burl Walnut, Original Saint-Anne Marble, Mid-19th Century This

Category

Antique 1840s French Louis Philippe Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Walnut

Antique Louis Philippe Style Burl Walnut Chest of Drawers
Antique Louis Philippe Style Burl Walnut Chest of Drawers

Antique Louis Philippe Style Burl Walnut Chest of Drawers

Located in Laguna Beach, CA

Antique Louis Philippe style burl walnut chest of drawers with marble top, 19th century. With a

Category

Antique 19th Century Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble

19th Century French Louis Philippe Chest of Drawers in Burl Walnut & Black Marbl
19th Century French Louis Philippe Chest of Drawers in Burl Walnut & Black Marbl

19th Century French Louis Philippe Chest of Drawers in Burl Walnut & Black Marbl

Located in Eindhoven, NL

This exquisite 19th-century French Louis Philippe chest of drawers showcases timeless craftsmanship

Category

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

Materials

Belgian Black Marble

Louis Phillipe Marble Top Commode
Louis Phillipe Marble Top Commode

Louis Phillipe Marble Top Commode

By Louis Philippe

Located in North York, ON

A beautiful Louis Philippe chest of drawers in walnut, consisting of 5 drawers with high-quality

Category

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

Materials

Marble, Brass

Early 19th Century French Louis Philippe Chest of Drawers
Early 19th Century French Louis Philippe Chest of Drawers

Early 19th Century French Louis Philippe Chest of Drawers

Located in Chicago, IL

Sleek, spare, and quietly stunning, this early 19th-century French Louis Philippe chest of drawers

Category

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

Materials

Walnut

19th Century Louis Philippe Walnut Half Cabinet
19th Century Louis Philippe Walnut Half Cabinet

19th Century Louis Philippe Walnut Half Cabinet

Located in Darmstadt, DE

Discover the timeless charm of this exquisite Louis Philippe/Late Biedermeier half cabinet, crafted

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century German Louis Philippe Commodes and Chests of Dr...

Materials

Walnut, Spruce

19th Century French Louis Philippe Marble Top Burl Walnut Commode ~ Chest of Dra
19th Century French Louis Philippe Marble Top Burl Walnut Commode ~ Chest of Dra

19th Century French Louis Philippe Marble Top Burl Walnut Commode ~ Chest of Dra

Located in Dallas, TX

19th Century French Louis Philippe Marble Top Burl Walnut Commode ~ Chest of Drawers is a

Category

Antique 1850s French Louis Philippe Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Belgian Black Marble, Brass

Timeless Elegance from the Louis-Philippe Commode in Burn walnut
Timeless Elegance from the Louis-Philippe Commode in Burn walnut

Timeless Elegance from the Louis-Philippe Commode in Burn walnut

Located in SAINT-CLÉMENT-DE-LA-PLACE, FR

Timeless Elegance from the Loire Valley – Authentic Louis-Philippe Commode in Burl Walnut, Late

Category

Antique 1890s French Louis Philippe Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Walnut

19th Century French Louis Philippe Burl Walnut Marble Top Commode
19th Century French Louis Philippe Burl Walnut Marble Top Commode

19th Century French Louis Philippe Burl Walnut Marble Top Commode

Located in Dallas, TX

19th Century French Louis Philippe Burl Walnut Marble Top Commode is a beautifully composed piece

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Commodes and Chests of Dr...

Materials

Marble

19th Century Italian Carlo X / Louis Philippe Bleached Walnut Chest Of Drawers
19th Century Italian Carlo X / Louis Philippe Bleached Walnut Chest Of Drawers

19th Century Italian Carlo X / Louis Philippe Bleached Walnut Chest Of Drawers

Located in Carmine, TX

Carlo X / Louis Philippe chest of drawers hand-made in Italy in the early 1800s using fruitwood and

Category

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

Materials

Walnut

19th Century French Louis Philippe Burl Walnut Commode W/ Carrara Marble
19th Century French Louis Philippe Burl Walnut Commode W/ Carrara Marble

19th Century French Louis Philippe Burl Walnut Commode W/ Carrara Marble

Located in Astoria, NY

An elegant French Louis Philippe chest of drawers, mid-19th century, sourced in Paris and crafted

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Commodes and Chests of Dr...

Materials

Carrara Marble, Brass

A fine pair of walnut 19th century Louis Philippe marble top commodes
A fine pair of walnut 19th century Louis Philippe marble top commodes

A fine pair of walnut 19th century Louis Philippe marble top commodes

Located in Dallas, TX

A very fine pair of French Louis Philippe walnut marble top commodes. Very fine figured walnut

Category

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

Materials

Carrara Marble

19th C. French Louis-Philippe Mahogany Chest of Drawers with Grey Marble Top
19th C. French Louis-Philippe Mahogany Chest of Drawers with Grey Marble Top

19th C. French Louis-Philippe Mahogany Chest of Drawers with Grey Marble Top

Located in Dallas, TX

Crafted in France circa 1850, this elegant antique Louis-Philippe commode showcases the clean

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Commodes and Chests of Dr...

Materials

Marble

19th Century French Louis Phillipe Walnut Marble Top Commode Chest of Drawers
19th Century French Louis Phillipe Walnut Marble Top Commode Chest of Drawers

19th Century French Louis Phillipe Walnut Marble Top Commode Chest of Drawers

Located in Chapel Hill, NC

19th century Louis Philippe commode or chest of drawers from France in walnut The entire case is

Category

Antique 1840s French Louis Philippe Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Belgian Black Marble

Fine French Louis Philippe 19th Century Marble Top Commode
Fine French Louis Philippe 19th Century Marble Top Commode

Fine French Louis Philippe 19th Century Marble Top Commode

Located in Hopewell, NJ

Elegant, refined yet understated medium size French Louis Philippe commode, or chest of drawers

Category

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

Materials

Bronze

19th Century French Louis Philippe Commode with Marble Top
19th Century French Louis Philippe Commode with Marble Top

19th Century French Louis Philippe Commode with Marble Top

Located in Dallas, TX

The 19th Century French Louis Philippe Commode with Black Marble Top is a antique piece of

Category

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

Materials

Marble

Louis Philippe Style French Dressing Table with Mirror and Drawers
Louis Philippe Style French Dressing Table with Mirror and Drawers

Louis Philippe Style French Dressing Table with Mirror and Drawers

Located in Prato, Tuscany

toilette in the Louis Philippe style; the upper top has a nice, soft molding, is hinged so that it can rise

Category

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

Materials

Walnut

Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Commode with Marble Top
Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Commode with Marble Top

Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Commode with Marble Top

Located in Astoria, NY

Handsome French Louis Philippe commode, mid-19th century, sourced in Provence, France. The chest

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Commodes and Chests of Dr...

Materials

Carrara Marble, Brass

19th Century French Louis Philippe Walnut Commode with Marble Top
19th Century French Louis Philippe Walnut Commode with Marble Top

19th Century French Louis Philippe Walnut Commode with Marble Top

Located in Dallas, TX

The 19th Century French Louis Philippe Walnut Commode is a luxurious and elegant piece of antique

Category

Antique 19th Century French Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble

19th Century French Louis Phillipe Burl Walnut Marble Top Rolling Commode
19th Century French Louis Phillipe Burl Walnut Marble Top Rolling Commode

19th Century French Louis Phillipe Burl Walnut Marble Top Rolling Commode

Located in Germantown, MD

19th-century French Louis Philippe commode, or chest of drawers, crafted with burled walnut

Category

Antique 19th Century American Louis Philippe Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble

Louis Phillipe Commode in  Burled Walnut with Grey Marble Top
Louis Phillipe Commode in  Burled Walnut with Grey Marble Top

Louis Phillipe Commode in Burled Walnut with Grey Marble Top

Located in Essex, MA

Imported from France, this 19th-century burled walnut marble top Louis Phillipe commode. The entire

Category

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

Materials

Marble

Antique chest of drawers, France, circa 1870.
Antique chest of drawers, France, circa 1870.

Antique chest of drawers, France, circa 1870.

Located in Chorzów, PL

Unique chest of drawers, France, circa 1870. We offer a second identical chest of drawers. Very

Category

Antique 1870s French Louis Philippe Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Walnut

Antique chest of drawers, circa 1870, France.
Antique chest of drawers, circa 1870, France.

Antique chest of drawers, circa 1870, France.

Located in Chorzów, PL

Unique chest of drawers, France, circa 1870. Very good condition. Wood: walnut dimensions

Category

Antique 1870s French Louis Philippe Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Chest of drawers - chiffon, France, around 1880.
Chest of drawers - chiffon, France, around 1880.

Chest of drawers - chiffon, France, around 1880.

Located in Chorzów, PL

Chest of drawers - chiffon, France, around 1880. Very good condition. wood: walnut dimensions

Category

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

Materials

Brass

Chest of drawers-chiffonier, France, early 20th century.
Chest of drawers-chiffonier, France, early 20th century.

Chest of drawers-chiffonier, France, early 20th century.

Located in Chorzów, PL

Chest of drawers-chiffonier, France, early 20th century. Very good condition. Wood: walnut

Category

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

Materials

Walnut

Chiffonier chest of drawers, France, around 1900.
Chiffonier chest of drawers, France, around 1900.

Chiffonier chest of drawers, France, around 1900.

Located in Chorzów, PL

Antique chiffonier chest of drawers from the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, France

Category

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

Materials

Marble, Brass

Antique chest of drawers from around 1880, France. After renovation.
Antique chest of drawers from around 1880, France. After renovation.

Antique chest of drawers from around 1880, France. After renovation.

Located in Chorzów, PL

Antique chest of drawers from the late 19th century, France. Furniture in very good condition

Category

Antique 1880s French Louis Philippe Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Walnut

19th Century Burl Walnut Commode from France
19th Century Burl Walnut Commode from France

19th Century Burl Walnut Commode from France

Located in High Point, NC

Wonderfully grained 19th century burl walnut Louis Philippe marble top commode from France. The

Category

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

Materials

Marble

Stylish walnut chiffonier with marble top.
Stylish walnut chiffonier with marble top.

Stylish walnut chiffonier with marble top.

Located in Chorzów, PL

Stylish walnut chiffonier with marble top. Origin: France, early 20th century. Very good

Category

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

Materials

Walnut

Antique Chest of Drawers with Marble Top, France, circa 1890
Antique Chest of Drawers with Marble Top, France, circa 1890

Antique Chest of Drawers with Marble Top, France, circa 1890

Located in Chorzów, PL

French walnut chest of drawers from circa 1890 Origin: France Very good condition. Dimensions

Category

Antique 1890s French Louis Philippe Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Walnut

Antique small chest of drawers with a marble top, France.
Antique small chest of drawers with a marble top, France.

Antique small chest of drawers with a marble top, France.

Located in Chorzów, PL

A small French-style chiffonier chest of drawers from the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries is a

Category

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

Materials

Marble, Brass

Antique Biedermeier Louis Philippe Burl Walnut Chest Dresser with Mirror
Antique Biedermeier Louis Philippe Burl Walnut Chest Dresser with Mirror

Antique Biedermeier Louis Philippe Burl Walnut Chest Dresser with Mirror

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Antique Biedermeier/Louis Philippe Burl Walnut Chest Dresser with Mirror (No marble top). Item

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Empire Dressers

Materials

Mirror, Walnut

19th Century Burl Birch Commode
19th Century Burl Birch Commode

19th Century Burl Birch Commode

Located in High Point, NC

19th century Louis Philippe commode from France. The top is made from Carrara marble, and has a

Category

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

Materials

Marble

Louis Philippe Walnut Chest of Drawers
Louis Philippe Walnut Chest of Drawers

Louis Philippe Walnut Chest of Drawers

Located in West Hollywood, CA

A beautiful Louis Philippe walnut four drawer commode. Wood is in excellent condition. Original

Category

Antique 19th Century French Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Walnut

Louis Philippe Burled Walnut Chest from Normandy
Louis Philippe Burled Walnut Chest from Normandy

Louis Philippe Burled Walnut Chest from Normandy

Located in Chicago, IL

This Louis Philippe burled walnut chest is beautiful with four drawers (top drawer pulls with key

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Commodes and Chests of Dr...

Materials

Brass

19th Century Louis Philippe Chest
19th Century Louis Philippe Chest

19th Century Louis Philippe Chest

Located in Chamblee, GA

A handsome beautifully patinated walnut chest from France. The charcoal gray marble top sits on a

Category

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

Materials

Marble

French Walnut Louis Philippe Commode
French Walnut Louis Philippe Commode

French Walnut Louis Philippe Commode

Located in Kirkland, WA

French Walnut Commode This is a simple French chest with four long drawers. The The top drawer

Category

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

Materials

Pine, Walnut

French Louis Philippe Burl Walnut and Walnut Chest of Drawers with Marble Top
French Louis Philippe Burl Walnut and Walnut Chest of Drawers with Marble Top

French Louis Philippe Burl Walnut and Walnut Chest of Drawers with Marble Top

Located in Wells, ME

French Louis Philippe burl walnut and walnut chest of four drawers.  The four drawers are burl

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Commodes and Chests of Dr...

Materials

Marble

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Louis Philippe Walnut Chest For Sale on 1stDibs

At 1stDibs, there are many versions of the ideal louis philippe walnut chest for your home. A louis philippe walnut chest — often made from wood, walnut and stone — can elevate any home. Whether you’re looking for an older or newer louis philippe walnut chest, there are earlier versions available from the 18th Century and newer variations made as recently as the 20th Century. A louis philippe walnut chest is a generally popular piece of furniture, but those created in Louis XV and Victorian styles are sought with frequency. Louis Philippe each produced at least one beautiful louis philippe walnut chest that is worth considering.

How Much is a Louis Philippe Walnut Chest?

Prices for a louis philippe walnut chest can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, they begin at $895 and can go as high as $19,980, while the average can fetch as much as $4,200.

A Close Look at Louis-philippe Furniture

Known as the “Citizen King,” Louis Philippe reigned from 1830 to the Revolution of 1848 with the support of the upper bourgeoisie. Whereas the monarchs of 18th-century France, including Louis XIV, Louis XV and Louis XVI, dictated aesthetics through the decadence of the aristocratic court, Louis Philippe had a more down-to-earth presence. He could be seen walking the streets like an ordinary person, carrying his own umbrella and shaking hands with subjects. Antique Louis Philippe–style furniture reflects a sense of simplicity and the sovereign’s passion for the country’s history, such as his establishment of a Museum of the History of France at Versailles, which had been mostly disused since the French Revolution.

Middle Ages, Gothic and Renaissance design informed a nationalist style that celebrated this heritage, with the hodgepodge of influences becoming prevalent in the homes of the bourgeoisie. Cabinetmakers Guillaume and Jean-Michel Grohé created reproductions of historic pieces for the king as well as royal houses abroad. Louis Philippe commissioned sculptor François Rude to create patriotic monuments that paid tribute to military heroes, while designs for furniture published by Claude-Aimé Chenavard, an ornamentalist who conceived widely loved objects for the Sèvres manufactory, further helped spread a revival of Renaissance style.

The rounded profiles of authentic Louis Philippe tables and chairs were preferred in the apartments rather than palaces being furnished by the affluent middle and upper classes. Ornamentation was minimal on the finely crafted pieces, such as large rectangular mirrors adorned with gold and silver leaf finishes and subdued carvings. The popular Louis Philippe commodes were solidly made with clean lines that showed off the grain of the wood and were often topped with marble surfaces.

Find a collection of antique Louis Philippe seating, dining tables, bedroom furniture and other items on 1stDibs.

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.