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Military Chest Secretaire

Regency Brass Mounted Mahogany Two-Part Secrétaire Military Campaign Chest
Located in Charleston, SC
This mid-19th century brass-mounted mahogany two-part Campaign chest has a removable mahogany panel
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century English British Colonial Secretaires

Materials

Brass

19th Century Mahogany Military Secrétaire Chest
Located in Martlesham, GB
19th century mahogany military secrétaire chest, having a combination of two short over four long
Category

Antique 1880s British Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century camphor wood secretaire military chest
Located in Martlesham, GB
Early 19th Century camphor wood secretaire military chest made for the Chinese export market
Category

Antique 1840s Chinese Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Teak

English Chippendale Kingwood Military Campaign Chest with Secretary, Circa 1780
Located in Hollywood, SC
English Chippendale Kingwood Military Campaign graduated chest with an upper drawer fitted with a
Category

Antique 1780s English Campaign Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Campaign Chest Secretary of Brass-Bound Mahogany for British Military Officer
Located in Austin, TX
A fine British military officer’s Campaign ware secretary or secretaire from the 19th century
Category

Antique 19th Century English Campaign Secretaires

Materials

Metal, Brass

Late 19th Century Military Campaign Chest of Drawers, Secretary, Victorian, 1890
Located in Greven, DE
Antique ship's or captain's secretary, so-called Military Campaign Chest of Drawers England
Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Late Victorian Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Antique Victorian Campaign Era Military Secretaire Chest of Drawers C1840
Located in London, GB
This is beautifully crafted antique early Victorian teak military campaign secretaire chest of
Category

Antique 1840s Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

19th Century Mahogany Military Chest With Miniature Fall Front Secretaire
Located in Dublin 8, IE
19th Century mahogany military campaign chest with miniature fall front secretaire opening to
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Irish Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

Fine Chinese Export Camphor Wood Military Secretaire Campaign Chest of Drawers
Located in GB
export, military campaign chest with sliding Secrataire desk and writing slope A very rare and
Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Harrods Kennedy Burr Yew Wood Green Leather Secrataire Desk Chest of Drawers
By Harrods, Kennedy Furniture For Harrods London
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely hand made in England Harrods Kennedy Military
Category

20th Century English Campaign Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Circa 1880 Solid Oak & Brass Military Campaign Chest of Drawers Secrataire Desk
Located in GB
brass fittings Military Campaign chest of drawers with mahogany lined & brown leather secretaire desk
Category

Antique 1880s English Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Japanese Style Cabinet-Secretary Att. to Perret & Vibert, France, circa 1880
By Perret et Vibert
Located in PARIS, FR
Franco-English military campaign led in 1860 against the Imperial army in China, the French troops of
Category

Antique 1880s French Japonisme Secretaires

Materials

Wood

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Antique Belle Époque Leather Wood Goldembossed Box Secret Box Book Box Trunk
Located in Munich, DE
This lovely object with it's fine patina resembles a little trunk when standing on a table. In an upright position it resemmbles a book. Therefore it can be considered a book with s...
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Fine Important Lady De Rothschild Hermes Paris Farming Wicker Chrome Picnic Set
By Hermès
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We are delighted to offer for sale this once in a lifetime opportunity to own this custom made suite of Hermes Paris “Farming” picnic equipment, Barenia Edition to include a pair of ...
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Antique 19th Century English Georgian Slant Front Desk or Secretary
Located in Casteren, NL
This classic slant front desk or bureau was made in England in the early 19th century. It was made in the finest quality watered European oak. The secretary is elevated on bracket ...
Category

Antique Early 19th Century English Georgian Secretaires

Materials

Brass

19th Century French Empire desk Secretaire a Abattant
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
Beautiful upright secrétaire from the French Empire period. The desk is made of oak with burr walnut veneer, decorated with bronze ormolu elements. These are typical of the French Em...
Category

Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Secretaires

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Bronze

Antique Anglo Indian Military Campaign Camphor Wood & Brass Bureau Desk Drawers
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely late Victorian Anglo Indian campaign Camphor wood with brass inlay Military bureau desk This piece really is exquisite. It’s a genui...
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Antique Late 19th Century Indian Campaign Desks

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1980's Campaign Style Bachelor Chest of Six Drawers
By Heritage Furniture, Hickory Chair Furniture Company, Henkel Harris
Located in Southampton, NJ
Campaign style dresser with cock beading to six dovetailed drawers boasting fiery Mahogany grains. A well designed mid size chest of drawers with generous storage. Matching pieces ca...
Category

20th Century American Campaign Dressers

Materials

Brass

Korean Campaign Style Secrétaire Cabinet Chest with Desk
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Impressive Asian campaign style cabinet featuring two large front doors that open to reveal a drop down writing desk and fitted with numerous storage drawers. Adorned with opulent br...
Category

20th Century Korean Campaign Furniture

Materials

Brass

Exceptionally Rare circa 1860 Walnut Military Officers Campaign Chest of Drawers
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this exceptionally rare and very fine solid walnut Military Officers Campaign chest of drawers If you’re in the market for the absolute finest c...
Category

Antique 1860s English Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Walnut

19th Century English Mahogany Campaign Desk and Chest of Drawers
Located in Nantucket, MA
Lovely early to mid 19th century English Mahogany two part campaign desk and chest of drawers. Upper section with pull-out drop front with green leather writing surface, back portio...
Category

Antique Mid-18th Century English Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Vintage Adel Rootstein Standing Female Display Mannequin London England 69"
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage Adel Rootstein female display mannequin fashion doll. Made in London England. Adel Rootstein had a flair for spotting fashion trends ahead of time. Her unique capability le...
Category

Late 20th Century Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Composition

1980's Campaign Style Bachelor Chest of Drawers
By Hickory Chair Furniture Company
Located in Southampton, NJ
Campaign style Bachelors chest with four cock beaded dovetailed drawers boasting fiery Mahogany grains. A well designed mid size chest of drawers with generous storage. Matching piec...
Category

20th Century American Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Original 1890 Army & Navy C.S.L Stamped Campaign Chest of Drawers Including Desk
By Army & Navy CSL
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely very rare solid mahogany with brass trim Army & Navy C.S.L stamped officers Campaign chest of drawers with drop front Birds Eye Maple d...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Late Victorian Commodes and Chests of ...

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Brass

Scandinavian Modern Cabinet in Teak by Børge Mogensen, 1960s
By Børge Mogensen, FDB Møbler
Located in Lejre, DK
China cabinet in teak and oak with stunning brass hardware and maple Interior. Designed by MAA. Børge Mogensen in 1958, this piece is made by CM Madsen cabinetmakers Denmark in the 1...
Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Cabinets

Materials

Brass

1980's Campaign Style Mahogany Writing Desk
By Hickory Chair Furniture Company, Heritage Furniture, Henkel Harris
Located in Southampton, NJ
Campaign style writing desk with four cock beaded dovetailed drawers boasting fiery Mahogany grains. A well designed desk with generous storage for its mid size. Matching pieces can ...
Category

20th Century American Campaign Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Recent Sales

19th Century Military Campaign Chest of Drawers
Located in Wiltshire, GB
A good quality mid-19th century military Campaign chest of drawers with original handles and feet
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century English Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Maple

Antique Military Campaign Secretaire Chest of Drawers
Located in London, GB
An incredible antique military campaign style chest of drawers, with a built in drop down bureau
Category

Mid-20th Century English Campaign Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Antique Military Campaign Mahogany Secretaire Chest of Drawers
Located in London, GB
would all go well together in the same room. This mahogany secretaire chest of drawers is antique
Category

Vintage 1950s English Campaign Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

China Trade Secretaire Campaign Chest
Located in Conwy, GB
A mid-19th century China trade amboyna veneered camphor wood secretaire campaign chest. The
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century European Secretaires

Materials

Amboyna

China Trade Secretaire Campaign Chest
China Trade Secretaire Campaign Chest
H 41.8 in W 37.8 in D 20 in
Victorian Teak Secretaire Military Campaign Chest
Located in Eindhoven, NL
Victorian teak secretaire military chest Here we have a fine military chest with a secretaire
Category

Antique 1840s English Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Teak

English Military Officer's Chest - Secretary of Mahogany
Located in Austin, TX
An English military officerâ??s Campaign Ware secretary, c.1860, fashioned as a chest of drawers
Category

Antique 19th Century English Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Early 19th Century Military Chest with Secretaire
Located in Whaley Bridge, GB
Sn4304 early 19th century teak secretaire Campaign chest of drawers, having metal bounds and four
Category

Antique 1840s English Early Victorian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Teak

Antique Military Campaign Mahogany Secrétaire Chest of Drawers
Located in London, GB
would all go well together in the same room. This mahogany secrétaire chest of drawers is antique
Category

Vintage 1950s English Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

Military Campaign Chest Bereau Desk with Chest of Drawers Burr Yew Wood
Located in GB
Writing Surface. Bereau desk in the form of a Military Campaign chest of drawers. This is a quite a
Category

20th Century Secretaires

Materials

Brass

English Officer's Campaign Chest Secretaire of Teak and Brass
Located in Austin, TX
A fine English military officer’s Campaign ware secretary, fashioned as a chest of drawers
Category

Antique 19th Century English Campaign Secretaires

Materials

Metal, Brass

Early 19th Century Mahogany Secretaire Military Campaign Chest
Located in Eindhoven, NL
Here we have a fine military chest with a secretaire drawer. The chest is made in two sections for
Category

Antique 1820s English Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

Burr Yew Wood Military Campaign Chest on Stand Bureau Desk with Chest of Drawers
Located in GB
, bureau desk in the form of a Military Campaign chest of drawers This is quite a rare piece, its based
Category

20th Century English Campaign Secretaires

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Brass

Antique Victorian Military Teak Secretaire Chest of Drawers 19th Century
Located in London, GB
This is beautifully crafted antique early Victorian teak military secretaire chest of drawers
Category

Antique 1840s English Victorian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Teak

Secretaire Campaign Chest
Located in Henley-on Thames, Oxfordshire
Early 19th century military chest with secretaire drawer. Retaining original handles and also the
Category

Antique Early 19th Century English British Colonial Commodes and Chests ...

Materials

Teak

Secretaire Campaign Chest
Secretaire Campaign Chest
H 41.74 in W 36.23 in D 24.41 in
Vintage Flamed Mahogany Military Campaign Chest of Drawers Drop Secretaire Desk
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely vintage flamed mahogany Military Campaign chest of
Category

20th Century English Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Rare Mahogany 1890 Military Campaign Chest of Drawers Drop Front Desk Secretaire
Located in GB
chest with drop front Secretaire desk. A very large and well-made piece in stunning lightly restored
Category

Antique Late 19th Century British Late Victorian Commodes and Chests of ...

Materials

Brass

Antique Camphor Military Campaign Chest
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A Mid 19th Century Camphor Wood Military Campaign Chest Having Two Short + Secretaire Drawers
Category

Antique 19th Century English Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Antique Camphor Military Campaign Chest
Antique Camphor Military Campaign Chest
H 42.5 in W 39 in D 18.5 in
Antique Camphor Military Campaign Chest
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A Superb Quality Mid 19th Century Camphor Wood Military Campaign Chest Of Five Drawers Having
Category

Antique 19th Century English Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Campaign Ware Secretary (Chest) of Mahogany
Located in Austin, TX
An English military officer’s Campaign Ware secretary, c.1825, fashioned as a chest of drawers
Category

English Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Campaign Ware Secretary (Chest) of Mahogany
Campaign Ware Secretary (Chest) of Mahogany
H 39.75 in W 38 in D 20.75 in
Antique Mahogany Campaign Secretaire Chest of Drawers
Located in London, GB
Antique Campaign style mahogany secretaire chest of drawers in good condition. It comes apart into
Category

20th Century English Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

Early 20th Century Camphor Campaign Secretaire Chest
Located in Donhead St Mary, Wiltshire
A 20th century camphor wood campaign secretaire chest. The bottom half has two large drawers with
Category

20th Century English Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

British Officer's Campaign Chest Secretary of Brass-Bound Teak
Located in Austin, TX
A fine British military officer’s Campaign ware secretary or secretaire, fashioned as a chest of
Category

Antique 19th Century English Campaign Secretaires

Materials

Metal, Brass

English Campaign Style Stacking Secretaire Chest, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This two-piece chest of drawers dates to the mid-19th century and originated as a military campaign
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century English Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Antique Military Campaign Style Yew Wood Chest / Bureau
Located in London, GB
A superb antique military campaign style chest of drawers with a built in secretaire bureau. This
Category

Vintage 1930s English Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Yew

Antique English "Fiddle Grain" Mahogany Campaign Style Secretaire Chest
Located in Charleston, SC
Extraordinary Quality Antique English "Fiddle grain" Mahogany Campaign or Military Style Secretaire
Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Leather, Mahogany, Satinwood, Cedar

Victorian Colonial Anglo-Indian Teak and Brass Military Officer’s Campaign Chest
Located in Eindhoven, NL
-part chest of drawers with secretaire. Chests that were constructed in the colonies, such as this one
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Indian Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

19th Century Anglo-Indian teak Military Chest with a lovely fitted interior
Located in Martlesham, GB
19th century Anglo-Indian teak military chest, having brass mounts, brass recessed handles and
Category

Antique 1840s British Indian Ocean Territory Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Teak

Original Charlotte Horstmann Hong Kong Military Campaign Chest of Drawers Desk
By Charlotte Horstmann
Located in GB
Hong Kong mahogany Military campaign chest of drawers / secretaire desk with huge oversize brass
Category

Early 20th Century Hong Kong Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Early 19th Century Anglo-Indian Campaign Chest
Located in Martlesham, GB
Early 19th century Anglo-Indian camphor wood military campaign chest, having original brass
Category

Antique 1830s Indian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Hardwood

Pair of Antique Mahogany Campaign Style Bedside Chests
Located in London, GB
This pair of antique military style bedside chests in mahogany are good quality and have some fine
Category

Vintage 1950s English Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

Yew Wood Leather Top Campaign Chest of Drawers Bureau Built in Desk Secrataire
By Army & Navy CSL
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely yew wood Military Campaign chest of drawers with
Category

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

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Vintage Flamed Hardwood Military Campaign Secretaire Chest of Drawers
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning vintage campaign chest of drawers. It features a
Category

20th Century British Secretaires

Materials

Hardwood

19th Military Chest with Secretaire Drawer
Located in Eindhoven, NL
Antique mahogany Campaign chest of drawers with desk drawer. Entirely in perfect condition. The
Category

Antique 1890s English Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

19th Military Chest with Secretaire Drawer
19th Military Chest with Secretaire Drawer
H 46.07 in W 38.98 in D 19.69 in
Anglo Indian Military Teak Chest of Drawers, 1860-1870
Located in Kastrup, DK
An 19th Century Anglo-Indian military campaign chest. The chest consisting of four drawers. The
Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Late 19th Century Brass Bound Teak Campaign Secretaire
Located in Donhead St Mary, Wiltshire
A late 19th century brass bound teak campaign secretaire chest with original brass fixtures and
Category

Antique Late 19th Century European Campaign Secretaires

Materials

Teak

Mid 19th Century Campaign Secretaire Chest
Located in Donhead St Mary, Wiltshire
A Mid 19th century campaign chest with a central secrétaire drawer flanked by two smaller drawers
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century English Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Mid 19th Century Campaign Secretaire Chest
Mid 19th Century Campaign Secretaire Chest
H 42.13 in W 38.98 in D 18.12 in
Beautiful Secretary Military Campaign Chest Of Drawers
Located in Crawley, GB
We delight to offer for sale this beautiful two part secretaire campaign chest of drawers circa
Category

Mid-20th Century British Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Victorian Mahogany and Brass Military Officer’s Campaign Chest
Located in Eindhoven, NL
Here is an example of a good quality antique military Campaign mahogany two-part chest of drawers
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century English Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Victorian Colonial Anglo-Indian Teak & Brass Military Officer’s Campaign Chest
Located in Eindhoven, NL
chest of drawers with secretaire. Chests that were constructed in the colonies, such as this one, were
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Indian Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Exceptional George III Brass Inlaid Campaign Chest c. 1800
Located in Heathfield, GB
military context and has seen the battle field. Such chests were used by Generals and Admirals and this
Category

Antique Early 19th Century Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Antique Flame Mahogany Military Secretaire Chest, circa 1850
Located in London, Greenwich
An antique military secretaire chest with three drawers and drop front desk with nine small drawers
Category

Antique 1840s English Georgian Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

Campaign Secretaire Chest by William Day and Son
Located in Edinburgh, GB
Rare two-part campaign secretaire chest in figured mahogany with brass corners and strapping, inset
Category

Antique 19th Century Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

Campaign Secretaire Chest by William Day and Son
Campaign Secretaire Chest by William Day and Son
H 41.34 in W 38.98 in D 18.51 in
Victorian Mahogany Campaign Secretaire Chest
Located in Salisbury, Wiltshire
Victorian mahogany secretaire chest Here we have this fine military chest with a secretaire drawer
Category

Antique 1860s Great Britain (UK) Victorian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

Victorian Mahogany Campaign Secretaire Chest
Victorian Mahogany Campaign Secretaire Chest
H 40.16 in W 38.98 in D 17.72 in
19th Century Colonial Teak Military Chest
Located in Salisbury, GB
19th century Colonial teak military chest in two parts with secretaire, circa 1850. 103cm
Category

Antique 1850s Commodes and Chests of Drawers

19th Century Colonial Teak Military Chest
19th Century Colonial Teak Military Chest
H 40.56 in W 36.23 in D 18.51 in
Victorian Mahogany Campaign or Military Chest
Located in Buckinghamshire, GB
Victorian mahogany campaign / military chest having three long drawers with a secretaire writing
Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Victorian Mahogany Campaign or Military Chest
Victorian Mahogany Campaign or Military Chest
H 47.64 in W 40.16 in D 20.08 in
Victorian Oak Brass Bound Military Chest
Located in Salisbury, Wiltshire
Victorian oak brass bound military chest This Victorian oak brass bound military chest, is brass
Category

Antique 1860s English Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Victorian Oak Brass Bound Military Chest
Victorian Oak Brass Bound Military Chest
H 45.5 in W 42 in D 19.5 in
Antique Camphorwood Military Campaign Chest, circa 1850
Located in London, Greenwich
A mid-19th century camphorwood military secretaire campaign chest on chest, professionally hand
Category

Antique 1850s Hong Kong Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Palmwood

Antique Mahogany Campaign Style Secretaire Chest of Drawers, circa 1880
Located in Paddock Wood, Kent
English mahogany secretaire chest of drawers in Military campaign style, solid brass hard wear, hand cut
Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood, Mahogany

Antique Campaign Secretaire Chest of Drawers Teak Victorian Number 30
Located in Longdon, Tewkesbury
Military Campaign secretaire chest of drawers Victorian (circa 1890) number 30 Military Campaign
Category

Antique 1890s British Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Antique Campaign Secretaire Chest of Drawers Teak Victorian Number 30
Located in Longdon, Tewkesbury
Military Campaign secretaire chest of drawers Victorian (circa 1890) Number 30. Military
Category

Antique 1890s British Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Pair of Spanish 18th Century Marquetry Commodes
Located in London, GB
commodes, the top inlaid to the center with musical trophies (the other commode with military trophies) set
Category

Antique Late 18th Century Spanish Louis XVI Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Walnut

Antique Mahogany Campaign Chest of Drawers Secretaire Dresser Victorian No.2
Located in Longdon, Tewkesbury
A 19th century mahogany military campaign chest of drawers secretaire, circa 1860, the chest having
Category

Antique 1860s British Victorian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

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Military Chest Secretaire For Sale on 1stDibs

With a vast inventory of beautiful furniture at 1stDibs, we’ve got just the military chest secretaire you’re looking for. Each military chest secretaire for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using wood, mahogany and brass. Whether you’re looking for an older or newer military chest secretaire, there are earlier versions available from the 19th Century and newer variations made as recently as the 20th Century. A military chest secretaire made by Victorian designers — as well as those associated with Georgian — is very popular.

How Much is a Military Chest Secretaire?

A military chest secretaire can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price 1stDibs is $4,570, while the lowest priced sells for $1,953 and the highest can go for as much as $14,000.

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.

Questions About Military Chest Secretaire
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023
    A military chest is a chest of drawers made of hardwood like mahogany, teak or cedar. Also called a campaign chest, the furniture usually comes apart into smaller pieces for easy carrying. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of military chests.

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