19th Century Pair of Biedermeier Chests of Drawers, Italy
Located in New York, NY
Pair of large Biedermeier chests of drawers with three drawers and chamfered corners.
Hardwood
Pair Of Biedermeier Style Dark Walnut Chests
Located in Westport, CT
A stunning pair of bookmatched walnut veneer three drawer chests shown with chamfered front edges finishing on high angled and tapered legs and adorned with black shield shaped esc...
Walnut
Pair Of Modern Biedermeier Walnut Chest Of Drawers, Contemporary
Located in Westport, CT
A newly handmade pair of sleek Modern Biedermeier chests made of solid walnut wood and comprised of two deep drawers on high tapered and straight legs.
Walnut
$32,000 / set
H 33.9 in W 51.2 in D 24.8 in
Pair of Large Biedermeier Chests of Drawers, Italy, Circa 1820
Located in New York, NY
Impressive pair of large Biedermeier chests of drawers, each with three drawers and chamfered corners.
Walnut
$21,063 / set
H 39.77 in W 55.71 in D 25.4 in
Pair of Italian Biedermeier Chests of Drawers, early 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
A pair of large Italian commodes featuring three drawers, flanked by ebonized columns with intricately crafted bronze capitals and bases. The chests of drawers stand on tall, square ...
Brass, Bronze
$20,922 / set
H 38 in W 43.5 in D 23.25 in
Pair of early 19th century mahogany Biedermeier secretaire chests
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Rare pair of biedermeier period swedish chest of drawers. 4 drawers, each top drawer with a fully fitted interior of satinwood and mahogany drawers and pigeon holes.
Mahogany
$30,400 / set
H 37.5 in W 48.75 in D 23.5 in
19th Century Exceptional Biedermeier Pair of Chests of Drawers. Vienna c. 1825
Located in Vienna, AT
Exquisite Pair of Early Viennese Biedermeier Walnut Commodes, Vienna circa 1820–1825 This exceptional pair of early Biedermeier walnut commodes was crafted in Vienna around 1820–182...
Brass
$18,000 / set
H 33 in W 48.5 in D 20 in
Pair of / Biedermeier-Style Fruitwood 3-Drawer Chests, style of Josef Danhauser
By Josef Danhauser
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of Art Deco / Biedermeier-Style fruitwood chest with demilune back rails and scroll carved edges on the tops and bases, containing three drawers with ebonized drawer fulls, rest...
Wood, Ebony, Fruitwood
Pair of German Walnut Biedermeier Commodes with Ebony Details
Located in Dallas, TX
This pair of German Walnut Biedermeier commodes with ebony details is a rare and exquisite addition to any antique furniture collection. These dressers exude a sense of sophisticatio...
Walnut
$6,436 / set
H 25.6 in W 23.63 in D 15.75 in
Pair of 21st Maooron Lacquered Commodes or Bedside Tables Biedermeier Style
Located in Madrid, ES
Pair of small commodes or night tables in Biedermeier style, in maroon colour or winw colour, with two drawers The commodes are a handmade production. made our craftsman cabinrmaker ...
Brass
$9,750 / set
H 35.25 in W 17.25 in D 13 in
Pair of Petite Austrian Biedermeier Two-Drawer Commodes with Inlay, circa 1840
Located in Atlanta, GA
This pair of Austrian Biedermeier petite commodes from the mid-19th century features exquisite veneered tops with rectangular banding over two small drawers. Each central oval mounte...
Wood
$9,786 / set
H 38.25 in W 43.25 in D 21.5 in
Pair of mid 19th century Swedish carved elm chest of drawers
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Fine quality pair of 19th century Swedish carved elm commodes circa 1850. Rectangular tops in book marked veneered elm, solid moulded edges and rounded corners which form the top of...
Elm
$6,787 / set
H 31.89 in W 31.5 in D 17.72 in
21th Century Pair Biedermeier-Style Commodes Night Tables Deep Burgundy
Located in Madrid, ES
Elegant pair of handcrafted commodes in the Biedermeier style, finished in a rich deep burgundy high-gloss lacquer, hand-applied and meticulously polished to achieve a refined, mirro...
Brass
$6,319 / set
H 28.35 in W 29.53 in D 15.75 in
Pair of 21th Century Biedermaier Style Pine Wood Commodes or Night Tables
Located in Madrid, ES
This pair of nightstands is entirely handcrafted from solid pine wood, showcasing the natural grain and warmth of the material. Each piece features two spacious drawers framed with c...
Pine
$21,500 / set
H 37 in W 52 in D 25 in
18th Century Fine Pair of Neoclassical Commodes. Vienna, c. 1800.
Located in Vienna, AT
We are pleased to present this extraordinary pair of Viennese Neoclassical commodes, exemplifying the pinnacle of craftsmanship and design from the early 19th century, circa 1800. Th...
Brass
Pair of Biedermeier Style Chests Drawers Bird's-Eye Maple Deco
Located in Potters Bar, Herts
Please let us know if you would like to view this piece in our Canonbury Antiques Herts showroom, just 25 minutes north of London. Wonderful pair of Biedermeier style chests of draw...
Unavailable
H 33 in W 48.5 in D 20 in
Pair of Biedermeier Style or Art Deco Fruitwood Chests, Style of Josef Danhauser
By Josef Danhauser
Located in Hollywood, FL
The demilune back over a rectangular top with scrolling ends, over three drawers, with concave body with scrolling bottom, on ebonised bun feet. Style of Josef Danhauser.
Unavailable
H 31.89 in W 40.95 in D 23.23 in
Pair of 19th Century Biedermeier Fruitwood and Ebony Strung Commodes
Located in London, GB
A pair of 19th century Biedermeier fruitwood and ebony strung commodes, both with stamped crown and numbered to the rear.
Fruitwood
Pair of Biedermeier Style Ebonized Commodes by ILIAD Design
By Iliad Design
Located in New York, NY
A pair of Biedermeier-style commodes. Ebonized pear wood veneer with hand-carved 23-karat gilt details combination of hand rubbed shellac and varnish finish.
Pair of Biedermeier Jewellery boxes
Located in Seattle, WA
A pair of small Biedermeier style jewellery chest with drawers lined in green velvet.
Brass
Pair of Biedermeier Chests of Walnut Drawers.
Located in Hudson, NY
Pair of Biedermeier Chests with ebony details and brass hardware.
Walnut
Striking Pair of Biedermeier Chests
Located in Westport, CT
Pair of Biedermeier style chests comprised of two drawers on high tapered and straight legs with inlaid diamond shaped key holes, primary wood in a beautiful book matched walnut vene...
Pair of Biedermeier Chests 19th Century
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Italian Biedermeier Chest of Drawers, veneered in Walnut.
Walnut
Darker Pair of Biedermeier Chest of Drawers
Located in Westport, CT
Darker pair of Biedermeier style chest of drawers in walnut veneer on pine, comprised each of two drawers adorned with diamond inlaid shaped keyholes and finishing on high tapered le...
Walnut
Large Pair of Biedermeier Chests of Drawers
Located in Westport, CT
A fine pair of sleek early Empire chests shown with its orginal thickly handcut light grey marble tops above four long drawers adorned simply with a beautiful bookmatched Cuban mahog...
Mahogany
Pair of Biedermeier Chest of Drawers, 1815-1820
Located in Greding, DE
A pair of three-drawered Biedermeier chests with a mahogany veneer.
Wood
Pair of Biedermeier Chests of Drawers, Italy, 19th Century
Located in New York, NY
Impressive pair of large Biedermeier commodes, each with three drawers and refined ebonized details, notably around the keyholes. Veneered in walnut and meticulously hand-polished, t...
Walnut
Pair of Biedermeier Chests of Drawers, Italy, 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Pair of Italian chests on baluster legs with three drawers and side arabesque marquetry. Top drawer veneered in burl wood, remaining drawers in walnut. Restored and hand polished.
Walnut, Burl
19th Century Pair of Biedermeier Chests of Drawers, Italy
Located in New York, NY
Pair of large Biedermeier chests of drawers with three drawers and chamfered corners.
Hardwood
Pair of Biedermeier Chests of Drawers, Walnut, Italy circa 1820
Located in Greding, DE
Pair of large Biedermeier chests of drawers with three drawers made of walnut.
Walnut
Pair of Fine Biedermeier Style Chest of Drawers
Located in Westport, CT
A handsome pair of Biedermeier chests in walnut veneer comprised of three drawers finishing on straight, tapered legs and embellished with inlaid diamond-shaped keyholes, Austria, ci...
Biedermeier Chests of Drawers, Italy, 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Pair of Biedermeier chests of drawers with three drawers on square pointed feet.
Wood
19th Century Biedermeier Walnut Chests of Drawers, Italy
Located in New York, NY
A pair of Biedermeier chests of drawers from Italy, crafted circa 1830.
Brass
Pair of Biedermeier Style Chests
Located in Westport, CT
Lovely pair of sleek antique Biedermeier style two-drawer chests in bookmatched walnut veneer, keys to each drawer that glide open effortlessly, refurbished, Germany.
Pair of Dark Biedermeier Chests
Located in Westport, CT
Pair of sleek Biedermeier chests comprised of three drawers finishing on straight and tapered legs in a dark cherrywood, adorned with stained inlaid shield-shaped escutcheons, a work...
Rare Pair of Early Biedermeier Chests
Located in Greding, DE
Very rare pair of Southern German Biedermeier chests of three drawers.
Pair of Fine Biedermeier Chests in fruitwood
Located in Westport, CT
Wonderful pair of sleek early Biedermeier blonde cherry veneered two drawer chests with chamfered edges finishing on angled straight, tapered legs.
Pair of Continental 19th Century Biedermeier Chests
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A wonderful pair of continental 19th century Biedermeier chests.
19th Century Pair of Austrian Biedermeier Chests
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Early 19th century, a pair of ebonized Biedermeier chests with two drawers in very good condition.
Walnut
Pair of Biedermeier Style Burled Birchwood Chests
Located in Westport, CT
This stunning pair of Biedermeier-style chest of drawers showcases exquisite burled birch veneer over pine.
Birch
Pair Biedermeier chests
Located in New York, NY
A pair of Biedermeier period bow front cherry four drawer chests with square and tapered legs having corner rosettes and original brass pulls. • Circa 1820 • 36”Height 49” Wide, 23” ...
Pair of 19th Century Burled Ash Biedermeier Chest of Drawers
Located in Middleburg, VA
Fine pair of late 19th century Biedermeier chest of drawers.
Ash
Biedermeier Chest of Drawers, 1815-1820
Located in Greding, DE
A pair of three-drawered Biedermeier chests with a mahogany veneer.
Mahogany
Pair of Mirrored Biedermeier Style Chests of Drawers
Located in Austin, TX
Beautiful pair of Biedermeier style chests of drawers with antiqued mirrored glass, lost wax bronze pulls.
Pair of Bethlehem Biedermeier Style Column Front Six-Drawer Chests
By Bethlehem Furniture
Located in Stamford, CT
A pair of Bethlehem Biedermeier style column front six-drawer chests.
Sold
H 31.89 in W 26.38 in D 18.31 in
Pair of Chests of Drawers in Biedermeier Style, Italy, 20th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Pair of chests of drawers with three drawers each in the Biedermeier style.
Mahogany
Pair of Fine Biedermeier Campaign Chests with Drop Down Drawer
Located in West Hartford, CT
Rare and ultra coveted Biedermeier Campaign style pair of chests which features drop down drawer.
Wood
Sold
H 35.63 in W 37.21 in D 19.3 in
Pair of Walnut Veneered Biedermeier-Style Chests of Drawers, 19th-21st Century
Located in Greding, DE
A pair of Biedermeier-style chests of drawers with three drawers, walnut veneered fronts and ebonised sides, feet and tops.
Walnut
Biedermeier Chests of Drawers, North German, 1820s
Located in Greding, DE
Pair of North German Biedermeier chests of drawers with three drawers, octagonal filling and beautiful veneer pattern.
Wood
A pair of early 19th century Italian Biedermeier chest
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome pair of early 19th century Italian Biedermeier walnut, ash, giltwood and ebony chests.
Walnut, Ash, Giltwood, Ebony
A Pair of Biedermeier Style Commodes
Located in New York, NY
A Pair of Biedermeier Style Commodes
19th century mahogany Biedermeier secretaire chest of drawers
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Rare pair of Biedermeier period Swedish chest of drawers. 4 drawers, each top drawer with a fully fitted interior of satinwood and mahogany drawers and pigeon holes.
Mahogany
Biedermeier, Late Empire, Chests of Drawers
Located in Kastrup, DK
A pair of architectural Biedermeier (late Empire) chests of drawers veneered with silver grained Cuban mahogany.
Mahogany
Pair of Biedermeier's Commodes, 1830-1839
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Pair of Biedermeier's commodes Completely restored. Shellac polish used for the surface. Country of origin is Germany from period 1830-1839.
Wood, Walnut
Pair of Gorgeous Biedermeier Style Commodes
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Rich lustrous pair of cabinetmaker made mahogany and ebonized commodes in the Biedermeier style with three drawers and neoclassical columns and triangular decorative front. Lovingly ...
Mahogany
Pair of Biedermeier's Commodes, 1830-1839
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Pair of Biedermeier's commodes Completely restored. Shellac polish used for the surface. Country of origin is Germany from period 1830-1839.
Wood, Walnut, Lacquer
Sold
H 33.08 in W 36.23 in D 20.08 in
Pair of Early 19th Century Biedermeier Chests or Sideboards, Walnut, c. 1825
Located in Greven, DE
Pair of Biedermeier chests of drawers or sideboards South Germany (Baden) Walnut Biedermeier around 1825 Dimensions: H x W x D: 84 x 92 x 51 cm each Description: Extremely rare pa...
Walnut
Sold
H 36 in W 52 in D 17 in
Fine Biedermeier Circassian Walnut Grand Commodes Foyer Chests, circa 1840, Pair
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is an absolutely gorgeous pair of Biedermeier commodes with luxurious Circassian walnut veneer and fantastic styling and proportions. These would look fantastic in a foyer or ev...
Walnut, Pine
Pair of 19th Century Small Biedermeier Commodes
Located in Belmont, MA
Beautiful pair of small Biedermeier commodes, South German 1810-1820, walnut veneer. Rectangular body with three drawers on high block feet. The drawers are flanked by columns with b...
Walnut
Pair of Gray-White Lacquered Biedermeier Style Commodes
Located in Madrid, ES
Pair of commodes or nightstands tables Biedermeir style, the commodes are a handmade production, made by us, our craftsman cabinetmaker and a craftsman lacquer. in beech wood, the b...
Brass
Pair of Early 19th Century Mahogany Biedermeier Secretaire Commodes
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Rare pair of Biedermeier period swedish chest of drawers. 4 drawers, each top drawer with a fully fitted interior of satinwood and mahogany drawers and pigeon holes.
Mahogany
Sold
H 31.89 in W 31.5 in D 17.72 in
Pair of Black Lacquered Biedermeier Style Commodes or Nightstands
Located in Madrid, ES
Pair of commodes or night tables, Biedermeier style, black lacquered and two drawers.
Fruitwood
Pair of Black Lacquer Biedermeier Style Two-Drawer Commodes
Located in Washington, DC
Pair of Black Laque Biedemeier Style Two- Drawer Commodes
Pine
Pair of early 19th Century mahogany Biedermeier secretaire commodes
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Rare pair of Biedermeier period Swedish chest of drawers. 4 drawers, each top drawer with a fully fitted interior of satinwood and mahogany drawers and pigeon holes.
Mahogany
An Exquisite Pair of Biedermeier Commodes
Located in New York, NY
An Exquisite Pair of Biedermeier Commodes
Pair of Austrian Biedermeier Ashwood Commodes
Located in New York, NY
A pair of Austrian Biedermeier ashwood commodes.
Sold
H 31.25 in W 28.5 in D 17 in
Pair of Austrian 1870s Biedermeier Walnut Commodes with Butterfly Veneer
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of Austrian Biedermeier walnut two-drawer commodes from the late 19th century, with butterfly veneer. Born during the third quarter of the 19th century, each of this pair of B...
Walnut
Fine Pair of Biedermeier Walnut Marble Top Commodes, circa 1830
Located in Dallas, TX
A fine pair of Biedermeier period marble top commodes. Fine walnut with satinwood inlay and original grey marble tops.
Marble
Pair of 19th Biedermeier Flame Mahogany Commodes with Marble Tops
Located in Dallas, TX
Exceptional pair of 19th century South German Biedermeier flame mahogany commodes with marble tops. These have a very fine finish, bronze hardware and a honed marble top. So elegant!...
Carrara Marble
Fine Pair of 19th Century Biedermeier Birch and Ebonized Commodes
Located in Dallas, TX
A fine pair of 19th century German Birch commodes with ebonized columns and bronze lion pulls.
Birch
Fine Pair of 19th Century Continental Chest of Drawers
Located in Westport, CT
A very fine pair continental chests each with a beveled and rounded front molding showcasing three drawers with diamond shaped inlaid keyholes, finishing on straight tapered legs, al...
Mahogany
Sold
H 33 in W 36 in L 33 in
Rare Pair of 19th Century Biedermeier Ebonized and Birch Inlayed Nightstands
Located in Dallas, TX
Beautiful pair of 19th century German Biedermeier nightstand commodes. Ebonized with satinwood birch inlay.
Wood
$4,900 / item
H 34 in W 86 in D 42 in
Custom Made Modern English Arm Sofa in Performance Linen Velvet - 86"
By Bloom Home Inc
Located in Old Town Orange, CA
This beautiful english arm sofa has a modern twist, with its single bench cushion, and beautiful curved apron sides. It’s upholstered in a Linen Velvet Performance fabric. Shown in...
Linen, Velvet
Chic 'Méandre' Gilt Bronze Side Chair by Design Frères
By Design Frères
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Undulating 'Méandre' gilt bronze finish side chair by Design Frères. Gilt bronze finish over steel frame. Natural linen upholstered cushion with contrasting piping. Chic and unders...
Steel
$8,400 / set
H 14.75 in W 8.5 in D 4 in
Set of Six Art Deco Style Murano Glass Demi-Lune Wall Lights Sconces, in Stock
Located in Miami, FL
Set of 6 Murano glass wall sconces, in stock Fume color and multiple squared glass texture Black opaline finials and brass accents. One LED E26 base socket. Art Deco inspired design...
Brass
$2,504 / item
H 15.75 in Dm 21.66 in
Mustard Mohair Velvet Round Ottoman with Oak Feet, Modern UK Design
Located in London, England
Dagmar Design - Round Ottoman Custom-made ottoman developed & produced at our workshops in London using the highest quality materials. These examples are upholstered in a mustar...
Oak, Mohair, Velvet
$2,106 / item
H 17.72 in W 15.75 in D 11.82 in
Brass Cabinet Modern Floating Brass Side Table Nightstand
By Renats Kotlevs
Located in Riga, LV
Exquisite custom nightstand, a masterpiece crafted from engineered wood and adorned with a polished, slightly brushed, burnished, varnished brass finish. This exceptional piece is de...
Brass
European Oak Night Stand with 3 Drawers
By Bloom Home Inc
Located in Old Town Orange, CA
Crafted from premium European oak, this three-drawer nightstand brings timeless elegance and subtle sophistication to any bedroom. Its gently flowing serpentine front adds a graceful...
Oak
$5,895 / set
H 30 in W 43 in D 12 in
Italian Neo-Classic Maison Jansen Style Carved & Painted Console Tables - Pair
By Maison Jansen
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a pair of Italian carved and painted Neo-classical style console tables. They are ivory with French blue accents. They date to the 1970s and are in very good condition. Both ...
Fruitwood
Gorgeous Mid-Century Brass Mirror, Italy
Located in Copenhagen K, DK
Stunningly simple midcentury Italian brass mirror, in an elegant trapezoidal narrow brass frame with tapered corners, rounded base and distinctive draped “brass curtains” on the side...
Brass
$3,990 / item
H 33 in W 89 in D 39 in
Rudin Belgian Linen Sofa with Down Wrapped Seat Cushion in Cafe Noir Linen
By Bloom Home Inc
Located in Old Town Orange, CA
Bloom Home Inc Rudin Sofa in Cafe Noir Stone Washed Linen A heavy 18 oz weighted linen, in a rich warm brown tone. Our linen is stone washed to give a soft hand and relaxed look. Th...
Linen, Wood, Down
Ceiling LUpipe
By Lumfardo Luminaires
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sharp Ceiling LUpipe fixture inspired by classical mid century Italian design, made by Lumfardo Luminaires. Made in solid aged brass. Wired with 1-E26 medium based socket and can als...
Brass
Paolo Buffa, Walnut Mid-Century Daybed, Italy 1940s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Argelato, BO
Paolo Buffa (1903-1970) Rare and very elegant wooden daybed Varnished walnut and fabric Model created circa 1940 H 58 × L 205 × W 95 cm Paolo Buffa was an Italian furniture des...
Velvet, Walnut
Pair Italian Nightstands
Located in Houston, TX
A lovely pair of 1950s Italian burl wood nightstands featuring two doors, glass top with brass knobs and sabots.
Brass
Pair of Tall Murano Gold Blown Scalloped Wall Lights
Located in Westport, CT
An elegant pair of modernized Art Deco style mouth blown wall lights composed of tall and lightly scalloped lattimo gold cups upheld by sleek unlacquered brass arms. Wired with porc...
Blown Glass
Biedermeier Style Walnut Table
By Modern History
Located in Westwood, NJ
Biedermeier Walnut Table with a warm amber brown walnut finish, the rayed and figured top above a single central hexagonal baluster pedestal base. Dimensions: 36" W x 36" D x 29.5...
Wood
$14,627
H 51.97 in W 35.12 in D 16.34 in
Carl-Axel Acking Attributed Cabinet in Elm, Oak and Brass, SMF Bodafors, 1940s
By Carl-Axel Acking, SMF Svenska Möbelfabriken Bodafors
Located in The Hague, NL
This very rare cabinet was produced by AB Svenska Möbelfabrikerna in Bodafors, Sweden in the late 1940s. The striking design is attributed to Carl-Axel Acking, one of the leading des...
Brass
$4,446 / set
H 28.35 in W 33.08 in D 20.08 in
Italian Mid-Century Modern Small Desk and Chair Attributed to Paolo Buffa, 1950s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Traversetolo, IT
Cute and stylish Italian midcentury modern desk, with a graceful chair, attributed to Paolo Buffa. This teakwood desk it is a splendid example of the Italian class design of 1950. B...
Brass
The authentic Biedermeier furniture on 1stDibs is representative of the first modern European decorative style not dictated by the tastes of the aristocracy. Following the Napoleonic wars, a growing, wealthy urban middle class in the German-speaking states of Central Europe began to demand rights and privileges once granted only to nobles. To avoid trouble, the upwardly striving confined their political discussions to one another’s homes. And so the salon was born.
Cabinetmakers in cities such as Vienna, Berlin and Mainz began to offer goods that reflected the tastes and needs of the new class. The makers of Biedermeier chairs, tables and other furniture used little or no gilding, silver hardware or other lavish ornament. Ebonized trims are common on Biedermeier cabinetry, and neoclassical elements — lyre-shaped chair splats, carved scrollwork, table supports shaped like Greek columns. But the strongest aesthetic statement came from the wood — richly-grained, honey-colored, often book-matched veneers of walnut and fruitwood.
There are two iconic Biedermeier furniture forms, both made to outfit rooms designed for conversation. One is the sofa, deeply upholstered with a strong, architectural wooden frame. The second is the circular pedestal table, which stood at the center of the room, offering a surface on which to place coffee and cake services; or to roll out a map, or sketch out ideas on paper.
“Biedermeier” was originally a derogatory term — it derives from the pen names of two German magazine writers who mocked bourgeois manners. Looking at the elegant and refined antique, new and vintage Biedermeier furniture offered on 1stDibs, that is now an amusing irony.
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.