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Midcentury Modern Lacquered Chest Of Drawers

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Florence Knoll Mid-Century Modern Black Lacquered Chest of Drawers, Refinished
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern black lacquered three-drawer dresser chest By Florence Knoll
Category

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

Materials

Chrome

Mid Century Modern Low Commode Chest of Drawers by American of Martinsville
By American of Martinsville
Located in San Jose, CA
Vintage low chest of drawers manufactured by American of Martinsville, circa 1960's. This unique
Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Italian Mid-Century Modern Rosewood Chest of Drawers
Located in Porto, PT
Italian Mid-Century Modern rosewood six drawers chest, black lacquered glass top and brass hardware.
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern Five Drawers High Chest Dresser with Brass Accents
By American of Martinsville
Located in Rockaway, NJ
American of Martinsville Mid-Century Modern walnut high chest dresser with block front drawers and
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Italian Mid-Century Modern Rosewood Chest of Drawers
Located in Porto, PT
Italian Mid-Century Modern rosewood chest of drawers, black lacquered glass top and brass hardware
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

American Mid-Century Mastercraft Asian Modern Brass Chest of Drawers
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A exceptional Mastercraft Asian Mid-Century Modern brass chest. Wonderful solid brass hardware
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Pair of Mid-Century Black Lacquer and Lucite Small Chests of Drawers
Located in New York, NY
Pair of mid-century chest of drawers with a black lacquer finish, raised decorative lucite drawer
Category

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

Materials

Lucite, Wood, Glass

Pair Mid-Century Carved Chests of Drawers
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a unique pair of Mid-Century beautifully carved chests of drawers. The chest are carved in
Category

Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests o...

Materials

Lacquer

Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Painted Walnut Chest of Drawers
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Dive into the retro allure of our mid-century modern chest of drawers, a masterful creation from
Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Formica, Paint, Lacquer, Walnut, Wood

Mid-Century Modern Walnut 4 Drawers Bachelor Chest
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern walnut bachelor chest with drop pulls. Excellent condition. Gorgeous light
Category

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

Materials

Pewter

Paul McCobb Mid-Century Modern Birch Chest of Drawers, Newly Refinished
By Paul McCobb
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern four-drawer dresser or chest of drawers By Paul McCobb for Child
Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Birch, Lacquer

Kittinger Mid Century Gold Leaf Chest of Drawers on Black Lacquer Stand
By Kittinger
Located in Countryside, IL
Kittinger mid century gold leaf chest of drawers on black lacquer stand This chest of drawers
Category

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

Materials

Gold Leaf

1960s Walnut Mid-Century Organic Modern Chest of Drawers: Handcrafted & Restored
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Experience the charm of our meticulously restored Mid-Century Organic Modern Chest of Drawers
Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Paint, Lacquer, Wood

Vintage Elegance Reborn: Danish Mid-Century Modern Teak Chest of Drawers
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Immerse yourself in the allure of our 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Chest of Drawers, a testament
Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Metal

Pair of Lacquered Wood Chests of Drawers
By John Stuart Inc., Paul Frankl
Located in New York, NY
Pair of white lacquered wood chests of drawers with brass cross pull details by Paul Frankl for
Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern Chest, Dresser, White Lacquered, Custom Made
By Harmony House
Located in Stamford, CT
Mid Century Modern Chest, Dresser, White Lacquered, Custom Made This recently re-lacquered chest is
Category

Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Dra...

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Pair of Black Lacquer Mahogany Mid-Century Modern Bachelor Chests
By George Nelson, John Stuart
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of Mid-Century Modern black lacquer mahogany bachelor chests dresser by John Stuart.
Category

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

Materials

Mahogany

Restored Vintage Mid-Century Modern Walnut Chest of Drawers with Brass Handles
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Elevate your interior decor with our stunning vintage mid-century modern walnut chest of drawers
Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Steel

Mid-Century Modernist Chest of Drawers in Ebonized Walnut
Located in New York, NY
This substantial and reserved Mid-Century Modernist Chest of Drawers in Ebonized Walnut and Antique
Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Nickel

Russel Wright for Conant Ball American Modern Black Lacquered Chest of Drawers
By Conant Ball, Russel Wright
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Mid-Century Modern black lacquered three-drawer dresser or chest of drawers By Russel
Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Birch, Lacquer

1960s Henredon Walnut Chest of Drawers: Mid-Century Modern Design with Mobility
By Heritage-Henredon
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Dive into the 1960s with our authentic Mid-Century Modern Henredon chest of drawers. Meticulously
Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood, Lacquer, Plywood, Walnut

Danish Mid-Century Modern Tall High Boy Chest of 7 Drawers Dresser Cabinet
By Børge Mogensen, Arne Vodder
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Danish modern tall teak dresser high chest of seven drawers cabinet. Excellent original condition
Category

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

Materials

Teak

18th Century, Italian Policrome Lacquered Wood Chest of Drawers
Located in IT
18th century, Italian Policrome Lacquered Wood Chest of Drawers This small and elegant chest of
Category

Antique Mid-18th Century Italian Rococo Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble, Bronze

John Stuart Chrome and Lacquered Chest of Drawers
By John Stuart Inc.
Located in Hanover, MA
Vintage 1970s three drawer chest of drawers retailed by John Stuart in the style of Milo Baughman
Category

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

Materials

Chrome

Danish Teak Mid-Century Modern Side by Side Chest of 5 Drawers Door Compartment
By Falster Møbelfabrik, Durland
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern teak 5 drawers cabinet dresser with a one door adjustable shelves compartment.
Category

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

Materials

Teak

Solid Oak Mid-Century Modern 4 Drawers American Bachelor Chest Dresser Commode
By Brown Saltman, Mengel Furniture Co.
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Solid Oak Mid-Century Modern 4 drawers American Bachelor Chest Dresser Commode.
Category

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

Materials

Oak

Mid-Century Modern Chest of Drawers Beechwood and Walnut Slab in Gio Ponti Style
By Gio Ponti
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Mid-Century Modern chest of drawers in laquered beechwood and walnut slab in Gio Ponti manner
Category

Vintage 1930s Italian Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Beech, Walnut

Birch Wood Mid-Century Chest of Drawers: Vintage Elegance & Craftsmanship
By Hickory Manufacturing Company
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Embrace the timeless beauty of the 1960s with our birch wood mid-century chest of drawers, a
Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Pair of Mid-Century Modern Ebony Lacquered Chests, Dressers, Brass, American
By Maison Jansen
Located in Stamford, CT
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Ebony Chests, Lacquered dressers, Brass Pulls A Fine Pair of Recently
Category

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

Materials

Wood

Mid-Century Modern Chest of Drawers No. U-453, by Jiří Jiroutek, Czechoslovakia
By Interiér Praha, Jiri Jiroutek
Located in Prague 8, CZ
in Brussels. It features beech wood, plywood, colored lacquered drawers. The chest is in excellent
Category

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

Materials

Wood, Beech, Plywood

Mid-Century Modern Wood and Black Lacquer Chest, Commode
Located in Miami, FL
Handsome and classily simple, this three-drawer chest has been restored in a high polish finish.
Category

Mid-20th Century European Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Henredon Hollywood Regency Black Lacquered Campaign Chest of Drawers, Refinished
By Henredon
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous mid-century modern Hollywood Regency Campaign style two-drawer chest of drawers By
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern Tall 8 Drawers Ebonized Mahogany Lingerie High Chest Dresser
By Dunbar Furniture, Harvey Probber
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Compact design unmarked most likely Dunbar or Harvey Prober chest with solid brass round drop pulls.
Category

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

Materials

Mahogany

Baker Furniture Hollywood Regency Black Lacquered Campaign Chest of Drawers
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern Hollywood Regency Campaign style two-drawer lowboy dresser or
Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern Chest of Drawers No. U-453, by Jiří Jiroutek, Czechoslovakia
By Interiér Praha, Jiri Jiroutek
Located in Prague 8, CZ
in Brussels. It features beech wood, plywood, colored lacquered drawers. The chest is in excellent
Category

Mid-20th Century Czech Scandinavian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood, Beech, Plywood

Mid-Century Modern Chest of Drawers No. U-453, by Jiří Jiroutek, Czechoslovakia
By Interiér Praha, Jiri Jiroutek
Located in Prague 8, CZ
in Brussels. It features beech wood, plywood, colored lacquered drawers. The chest is in excellent
Category

Mid-20th Century Czech Scandinavian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood, Beech, Plywood

Campaign Style 6 Drawers Brass Drop Pulls Mid-Century Modern Bachelor Chest Mint
By Heritage-Henredon, Drexel
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Campaign style 6 drawers brass drop pulls Mid-Century Modern bachelor chest mint. Glass reverse
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Henredon Hollywood Regency Campaign Blue Lacquered Chest of Drawers, Refinished
By Henredon
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Mid-Century Modern Hollywood Regency Campaign style low dresser or chest of drawers
Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Restored Mid-Century Walnut Chest of Drawers with Brushed Steel Moldings
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Delve into the realm of mid-century elegance with our meticulously handcrafted walnut chest of
Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Steel

1950s Paul Frankl Moroccan Red Lacquered Double Dresser / Chest of Drawers
By Paul Frankl
Located in Saint Louis, MO
number of modern pieces for Johnson Furniture including this chest of drawers. Please allow 4 weeks for
Category

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

Materials

Lacquer

Mid-Century Modern Kensington Chest of Drawers Made with Oak, Brass and Glass
Located in Seroa, PT
neighborhood. The Kensington Chest of Drawers with six drawers features a sober and modern structure, but
Category

2010s Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass, Bronze

American Walnut Block Front Drawers High Chest Dresser American of Martinsville
By American of Martinsville
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Very clean American walnut Mid-Century Modern vintage block front drawers dresser high chest.
Category

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

Materials

Walnut

Michael Taylor for Baker Black Lacquered Chest of Drawers, Newly Refinished
By Michael Taylor, Baker Furniture Company
Located in South Bend, IN
A stunning mid-century modern Hollywood Regency Chinoiserie four-drawer bachelor chest of drawers
Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Walnut, Lacquer

Michael Taylor for Baker Black Lacquered Chest of Drawers, Newly Refinished
By Michael Taylor, Baker Furniture Company
Located in South Bend, IN
A stunning mid-century modern Hollywood Regency Chinoiserie six-drawer dresser, chest of drawers
Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Walnut, Lacquer

Mid Century Walnut Chest of Drawers, Commode, Made in Czechia, 1960s, Original
Located in Horomerice, CZ
Mid century chest of drawers, commode. Original condition, not restored Country of origin is
Category

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

Materials

Wood, Walnut, Lacquer

Restored Mid-Century Mahogany Chest of Drawers with Walnut and Green Stain
Located in Los Angeles, CA
of this mid-century modern chest of drawers, a perfect blend of form and function.
Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany, Lacquer, Wood

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Pink Lacquered Chest of Drawers, Newly Refinished
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern six-drawer dresser or chest of drawers By Edward Wormley for
Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Black Lacquered Chest of Drawers by Guy Lefèvre for Maison Jansen
By Guy Lefevre, Maison Jansen
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This chest of drawers is made of black lacquered wood with bronze handles. This is a French work by
Category

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

Materials

Bronze

Mid-Century Modern Cocktail Chest of Drawers Made with Mate Oak by Stylish Club
Located in Seroa, PT
design found in the details of the interior limits. The Cocktail Chest of Drawers enchants by the
Category

2010s Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Asian Modern Low Profile Black Lacquer Side Tables / Chests -Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a pair of mid-century modern low profile black lacquer side tables or chests. Each has a
Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern Walnut Tall Chest
Located in Westwood, NJ
A Mid-Century Modern style tall chest of drawers, constructed of American walnut with a transparent
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Mid-Century Modern Commodes and...

Materials

Metal

Mid-Century Modern Walnut Tall Chest
Mid-Century Modern Walnut Tall Chest
H 55 in W 44.13 in D 21.13 in
Rare Golden Lacquer and Brass Maison Jansen Chest of Drawers 1970s
By Maison Jansen
Located in Paris, IDF
drawers is made from solid mahogany, lacquered in a rich dark brown and bronze–golden finish. The
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Michael Taylor for Baker Far East Collection Black Lacquered Chests of Drawers
By Michael Taylor, Baker Furniture Company
Located in South Bend, IN
A stunning pair of mid-century modern Hollywood Regency Chinoiserie dressers or chests of drawers
Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Walnut, Lacquer

Henredon Mid-Century Hollywood Regency Black Lacquered Campaign Chest, 1970s
By Henredon
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous mid-century modern Hollywood Regency Campaign style chest or cabinet By Henredon
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Michael Taylor for Baker Far East Collection Black Lacquered Chest of Drawers
By Michael Taylor, Baker Furniture Company
Located in South Bend, IN
A stunning mid-century modern Hollywood Regency Chinoiserie six-drawer dresser or chest of drawers
Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Walnut, Lacquer

1980s Italian Dark Green Satin Lacquer Chest of Drawers by Sormani
By Davide Pizzigoni & Manolo De Giorgi, Sormani
Located in Arosio, IT
Chest of drawers in very dark green lacquer (the famous 20-gloss silky mat lacquer of Sormani) with
Category

Vintage 1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Steel

Chest of Drawers Lacquered Goatskin and Brass by Aldo Tura, Italy, 1970s
By Aldo Tura
Located in SAINT-OUEN, FR
Mid-Century Modern space age Italian design chest of drawers or commode in lacquered goatskin
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Maison Jansen cream lacquer brass mirrored chest of drawers 1970s
By Maison Jansen
Located in Paris, IDF
This rare Maison Jasen five drawers, cream lacquered chest of drawers would be stunning in any
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Curved Italian 'Aiace' Chest of Drawers in Black Lacquered Wood by Benatti
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Benatti, chest of drawers model 'Aiace', lacquered wood, Italy, 1960s Playful curved chest of
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Vintage Burl Chest of Drawers
By Mastercraft
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Discover our exceptional Mid-Century Modern Chest of Drawers, a piece that beautifully captures the
Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Nickel, Brass

Vintage Burl Chest of Drawers
Vintage Burl Chest of Drawers
H 33 in W 34 in D 18 in
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Midcentury Modern Lacquered Chest Of Drawers For Sale on 1stDibs

At 1stDibs, there are several options of midcentury modern lacquered chest of drawers available for sale. Each of these unique midcentury modern lacquered chest of drawers was constructed with extraordinary care, often using wood, metal and brass. We have 597 antique and vintage midcentury modern lacquered chest of drawers in-stock, while there are 2 modern editions to choose from as well. Midcentury modern lacquered chest of drawers have long been popular, with older editions for sale from the 18th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 21st Century. Midcentury modern lacquered chest of drawers made by Mid-Century Modern designers — as well as those associated with Scandinavian Modern — are very popular at 1stDibs. There have been many well-made midcentury modern lacquered chest of drawers over the years, but those made by George Nelson, John Stuart and Paul McCobb are often thought to be among the most beautiful.

How Much are Midcentury Modern Lacquered Chest Of Drawers?

Prices for midcentury modern lacquered chest of drawers can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, midcentury modern lacquered chest of drawers begin at $600 and can go as high as $45,498, while the average can fetch as much as $4,200.

A Close Look at Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Organically shaped, clean-lined and elegantly simple are three terms that well describe vintage mid-century modern furniture. The style, which emerged primarily in the years following World War II, is characterized by pieces that were conceived and made in an energetic, optimistic spirit by creators who believed that good design was an essential part of good living.

ORIGINS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN

CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN

MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW

ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS

VINTAGE MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS

The mid-century modern era saw leagues of postwar American architects and designers animated by new ideas and new technology. The lean, functionalist International-style architecture of Le Corbusier and Bauhaus eminences Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius had been promoted in the United States during the 1930s by Philip Johnson and others. New building techniques, such as “post-and-beam” construction, allowed the International-style schemes to be realized on a small scale in open-plan houses with long walls of glass.

Materials developed for wartime use became available for domestic goods and were incorporated into mid-century modern furniture designs. Charles and Ray Eames and Eero Saarinen, who had experimented extensively with molded plywood, eagerly embraced fiberglass for pieces such as the La Chaise and the Womb chair, respectively. 

Architect, writer and designer George Nelson created with his team shades for the Bubble lamp using a new translucent polymer skin and, as design director at Herman Miller, recruited the Eameses, Alexander Girard and others for projects at the legendary Michigan furniture manufacturer

Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi devised chairs and tables built of wire mesh and wire struts. Materials were repurposed too: The Danish-born designer Jens Risom created a line of chairs using surplus parachute straps for webbed seats and backrests.

The Risom lounge chair was among the first pieces of furniture commissioned and produced by legendary manufacturer Knoll, a chief influencer in the rise of modern design in the United States, thanks to the work of Florence Knoll, the pioneering architect and designer who made the firm a leader in its field. The seating that Knoll created for office spaces — as well as pieces designed by Florence initially for commercial clients — soon became desirable for the home.

As the demand for casual, uncluttered furnishings grew, more mid-century furniture designers caught the spirit.

Classically oriented creators such as Edward Wormley, house designer for Dunbar Inc., offered such pieces as the sinuous Listen to Me chaise; the British expatriate T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings switched gears, creating items such as the tiered, biomorphic Mesa table. There were Young Turks such as Paul McCobb, who designed holistic groups of sleek, blond wood furniture, and Milo Baughman, who espoused a West Coast aesthetic in minimalist teak dining tables and lushly upholstered chairs and sofas with angular steel frames.

As the collection of vintage mid-century modern chairs, dressers, coffee tables and other furniture for the living room, dining room, bedroom and elsewhere on 1stDibs demonstrates, this period saw one of the most delightful and dramatic flowerings of creativity in design history.

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 and double chests — tallboys and highboys, which were essentially one chest on top of another — 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. 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.