Mini Commode
Antique 18th Century Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Antique Late 19th Century American Late Victorian Commodes and Chests of...
Bone, Mahogany
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Nickel
Antique 1820s German Biedermeier Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
2010s Spanish Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Antique Early 19th Century English Anglo Raj Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Hollywood Regency Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass, Gold Leaf
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Models and Miniatures
Fruitwood, Walnut
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Antique 1840s German Biedermeier Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Antique 1820s Biedermeier Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Walnut
Antique Mid-18th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
Early 20th Century German Biedermeier Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Pine
Antique 19th Century German Biedermeier Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Fruitwood
Antique Early 19th Century English Regency Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Early 2000s Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Antique 19th Century French Louis Philippe Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass, Metal
Antique Early 18th Century English Queen Anne Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
Antique Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Commodes and Chests of Dra...
Cherry
Antique Mid-18th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
Antique Mid-18th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
20th Century German Art Deco Figurative Sculptures
Marble, Bronze
Antique Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Commodes and Chests of Dra...
Walnut
Vintage 1970s American Chinoiserie Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Recent Sales
Antique 1880s Commodes and Chests of Drawers
2010s Lithuanian Minimalist Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Birch
Early 2000s Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Hollywood Regency Night Stands
Bronze
Antique Mid-19th Century Baroque Revival Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Vintage 1940s American Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Teak
Vintage 1950s American Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Chrome
Antique Mid-19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Birch
Antique 1880s Scandinavian Biedermeier Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Softwood, Mahogany
Mid-20th Century French Louis XV Models and Miniatures
Walnut
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XV Models and Miniatures
Marble, Bronze
Antique 19th Century English Federal Models and Miniatures
Wood
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XV Models and Miniatures
Marble, Bronze
Antique Early 1900s English Edwardian Jewelry Boxes
Sterling Silver
Vintage 1950s French Louis XVI Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Brass
Antique Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak, Paint
Antique Mid-18th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
Antique Mid-19th Century English Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Mid-20th Century Swedish Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Birch
Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Models and Miniatures
Brass
Mid-20th Century Biedermeier Models and Miniatures
Vintage 1970s American American Craftsman Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
Antique 19th Century English Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
Early 20th Century Swedish Commodes and Chests of Drawers
20th Century German Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Vintage 1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Beech, Teak
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Mini Commode For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Mini Commode?
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.
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