Oyster Burl Chest
Antique 18th Century English Georgian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
Metal, Bronze
Mid-20th Century American Regency Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
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21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese William and Mary Game Tables
Leather, Wood
Antique Late 18th Century Swiss Blanket Chests
Iron
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dressers
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Side Tables
Marble, Steel
Antique Early 1700s English William and Mary Tables
Brass
Early 2000s American William and Mary End Tables
Oak
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Murano Glass
Antique Early 18th Century English Queen Anne Commodes and Chests of Dra...
Brass
Antique Late 19th Century Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Vintage 1980s Italian Hollywood Regency Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Metal
Vintage 1970s Unknown Hollywood Regency Table Lamps
Ceramic, Glass
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Wood, Oak
Antique 18th Century English William and Mary Side Tables
Oak
Antique Early 18th Century English William and Mary Commodes and Chests ...
Boxwood, Ebony, Walnut, Holly
2010s British Wall Mirrors
Mirror, Yew
Vintage 1920s English William and Mary Serving Tables
Walnut
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Vintage 1950s Italian Jewelry Boxes
Mid-20th Century English George II Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 20th Century English Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Vintage 1950s Mid-Century Modern Dressers
Brass
Antique 19th Century English Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Vintage 1960s Italian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Vintage 1960s Italian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
20th Century English George III Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Agate
Antique 19th Century English Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut, Mahogany
Antique 18th Century and Earlier English Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Antique Mid-18th Century English George II Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Antique Mid-18th Century English Queen Anne Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Vintage 1950s English William and Mary Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Antique 19th Century English George I Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Antique 18th Century English William and Mary Commodes and Chests of Dra...
Wood, Walnut
Vintage 1960s Italian Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Burl
20th Century English George III Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Agate
Antique 19th Century French Louis Philippe Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
20th Century Italian Rococo Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Vintage 1950s Italian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
21st Century and Contemporary English Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Antique 19th Century English Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Antique 19th Century English Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Antique 19th Century English Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Antique 19th Century English Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Antique 18th Century and Earlier English Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Antique 18th Century and Earlier English Baroque Commodes and Chests of ...
Vintage 1950s Italian Jewelry Boxes
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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