Petite Louis XV Style Commode
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This exquisite petite Louis XV style commode captures the elegance and charm of French Rococo design in a smaller, versatile size.
Wood
$1,840Sale Price|20% Off
H 30.32 in W 24.41 in D 14.18 in
Louis XV Style Petite Marquetry Commode 19th Century
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
This petite commode is a charming example of 19th century craftsmanship inspired by the classic Louis XV style.
Fruitwood
19th Century French Petite Louis XV Marble Top Commode
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Exquisite French Louis XV marble top commode is a true statement piece that will elevate any room in your home. The chest of drawers features elegant gold trim that adds a touch of l...
Marble
$16,800
H 32.5 in W 42.5 in D 17 in
French 18th Century Louis XV Period Walnut Petite Commode Bordelaise
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most handsome French 18th century Louis XV period walnut petite commode Bordelaise.
Walnut
$2,632
H 27.56 in W 26.38 in D 15.36 in
French Louis XV Style Marble Top Petite Commode, Mid-20th Century
Located in BÉTERA, ES
Elegant Louis XV style petite commode with marble top, dating to the mid-20th century.
Marble
$650
H 20.5 in W 18 in D 10.5 in
Louis XV Style Painted Italian Commode, Petite Side Table, Circa 1960s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Small painted Louis XV style painted commode/side table.
Wood
$1,368Sale Price|55% Off
H 28.75 in W 15.75 in D 12.21 in
Louis XV Style Petite Commode with Marble Top, France, Circa 1900
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A fine, Parisian Louis XV style, marquetry-inlaid petite commode or bedside table, featuring four curved sides and gently tapering legs.
Marble, Bronze
$1,495
H 35.75 in W 38 in D 18.75 in
Petite French Louis XV Walnut Satinwood Inlaid Commode Foyer Cabinet, Circa 1900
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This petite French Louis XV commode, crafted circa 1900, is an exquisite example of fine cabinetmaking and timeless Parisian elegance.
Breccia Marble
$3,250
H 29 in W 30.75 in D 15 in
Petite 18th Century French Louis XV Oak Commode with Serpentine Front
Located in Atlanta, GA
Petite 18th Century French Louis XV Oak Commode with Serpentine Front and 3 Drawers
Oak
A French Ormulo-Mounted Petite Commode By PAUL SORMANI
By Paul Sormani
Located in Sheffield, MA
A FRENCH ORMOLU-MOUNTED INLAID KINGWOOD & MARBLE-TOP PETIT COMMODE, BY PAUL SORMANI, LAST QUARTER 19TH CENTURY A rectangular marble top over two drawers with ormolu mounts ove...
$2,150
H 29 in W 21.5 in D 13.5 in
20th C. Italian Parquetry and Marquetry Petite Bombay Chest Commode Side Table
Located in Germantown, MD
Mid 20th Century Italian Parquetry and Marquetry 2- drawer Petite Bombay chest Commode / side table in beautiful vintage condition. The surface of this beautiful, Italian bombe ches...
Kingwood, Mahogany, Olive, Satinwood
$5,885
H 33.5 in W 35 in D 18.25 in
Petite Louis XV Period Commode in Tulipwood with Bronze Dore Mounts & Marble Top
Located in Atlanta, GA
Petite Louis XV Period Commode in Tulipwood with bronze dore mounts & grey marble top, France 18th century.
Marble, Bronze
$4,200 / set
H 28.5 in W 32 in D 14.5 in
French Pair of Louis XV Walnut Commodes, Side Tables or Night Stands
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Pair of petite French Louis XV commodes, which can also serve as side tables or nightstands.
Ormolu
18th Century Louis XV Petite Commode
Located in Stamford, CT
Circa 1780s two drawer petite commode by J.M. Larkin with curved marble tabletop, Rosewood, and Kingswood veneer on Oak. The commode is constructed with metal cartouche shaped escutc...
Marble
A Petite French Louis XV style Commode, late 1800's
Located in New Orleans, LA
A French Louis XV style 3 draw commode with rouge marble top and molded fore-edge. Cross banded serpentine drawers in kingwood. Rococo style pulls with shaped apron and short cabrio...
Kingwood
19th Century Louis XV Style Petite Commode "Rognon"
Located in Round Top, TX
19th century Louis XV Petite Commode "Rognon" with intricate marquetry design in fruitwood.
Fruitwood
Unavailable
H 31.89 in W 22.05 in D 13.59 in
18th Century Serpentine Burr Olive Wood Maltese Petite Commode
Located in London, GB
18th century Maltese serpentine petite commode with Breche Violette marble above three burr olivewood panelled and walnut and kingwood crossbanded drawers raised upon shaped tapering...
Marble
19th C Petite Commode
Located in New Orleans, LA
Napoleon III style.Beautiful Inlaid marquetry 2 drawer petite commode with ormolu. Finished on all sides
Bronze
Louis XV Period Painted Petite Commode
Located in Doylestown, PA
A charming and rare 18th century petite commode, Louis XV period. The conforming ebonized wood top over 3 carved drawers with patinated bronze hardware, retaining the original locks.
Walnut, Paint
Louis XV Bombe Petite Commode
Located in Atlanta, GA
A beautiful late 19th Century French bombe petite commode in the style of Louis XV, made with walnut butterfly veneer and rosewood inlay.
Marble, Bronze
Petite 18th Century Louis XV Fruitwood Commode
Located in Atlanta, GA
Petite 18th century French Louis XV fruitwood commode with two drawers and scalloped front.
Bronze
Petite Louis XV Provincial Commode, 18th Century
Located in Doylestown, PA
A petite Louis XV period 3-drawer commode with slightly serpentine front, the carved drawers retaining their original brass hardware, with a conforming wood top and simple straight l...
Cherry, Pine
Louis XV Style Two Drawer Petite Commode
Located in Astoria, NY
Louis XV style two drawer petite commode or chest, with molded shaped rectangular Breche Violette marble top above two drawers, the front and sides with kingwood parquetry, the chest...
Wood
Unusual Louis XV Petite Commode
Located in Doylestown, PA
An unusual 2-drawer Louis XV commode in walnut with a molded top, scalloped apron and cabriolle legs, circa 1760, French
Walnut
18th Century Louis XV Petite Commode by Lardin
By Andre Antoine Lardin
Located in Belmont, MA
Exquisite small Louis XV commode made by Andre-Antoine I Lardin (1724-1790), "maitre a Paris 1750". Kingwood and rosewood marquetry on oak with original gilded bronze fittings and a ...
Kingwood
Rare Louis XV Petite Commode with Interior Safe
Located in Doylestown, PA
An 18th century French Louis XV petite commode in grey paint with faux marble wood top, circa 1770.
Wood
A Louis XV Style Petite Commode
Located in Kent, Dover
A French Louis XV style petite commode in walnut, fruitwood and ebony.
Petite Louis XV Period Walnut Commode
Located in Atlanta, GA
Petite Louis XV 2 drawer commode with paneled sides, bronze hardware and shaped apron.
Petite Louis XV Period Painted Commode
Located in Doylestown, PA
A petite Louis XV period two-drawer commode in rust red painted finish, with a black painted wood top, circa 1760, the case having a serpentine shape with nicely carved drawers, all ...
Walnut
Mid-18th Century Louis XV Period Petite Walnut Commode
Located in Birmingham, AL
A fine mid-18th century Louis XV period petite commode handcrafted by talented artisans in Bordeaux of solid old growth walnut, circa 1750s, having a beveled edge plank top above two...
Walnut
French Louis XV Period Petite Commode
Located in Pembroke, MA
French Louis XV period commode, with gilt-bronze mounts and feet, and rouge royale marble top (Circa 1750). The case features tulipwood ("bois de rose") and kingwood ("bois de viole...
Marble, Bronze
Sold
H 32 in W 36 in D 18.5 in
Antique French Louis XV-Style Walnut Petite Serpentine Commode Sauteuse
Located in Birmingham, AL
Early-20th Century French Louis XV-Style serpentine commode sauteuse handcrafted of solid walnut in Nimes, circa early 1900s.
Walnut
Pair of French Louis XV Style Petite Parquetry Kingwood Commodes
Located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Elegant lines, petite proportions and parquetry surfaces make this pair of French Louis XV style petite commodes especially attractive.
Brass
Striking Petite French Cherry Louis XV 2 Drawer Commode-Signed
By Christian Robert
Located in Highwood, IL
Ooo-wee! Endless possibilities with this striking vintage French cherry-wood 2 drawer commode. Perfect most anywhere, the style of this piece is both elegant and timeless. Use it in ...
Cherry
19th Century Petite French Walnut Commode Louis XV
Located in Atlanta, GA
19th Century Petite French Walnut Commode Louis XV
Walnut
Sold
H 32.25 in W 38 in D 20.5 in
French Louis XV Period 1750s Petite Serpentine Walnut Two-Drawer Commode
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Louis XV period petite walnut two-drawer commode 'en arbalète' from the mid 18th century.
Bronze
Petite 18th Century French Louis XV Fruitwood Commode
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Petite Louis XV fruitwood commode with serpentine shape, ormalu mounts, 2 drawers and shaped apron.
Fruitwood
Louis XV Petite Serpentine Commode w/ Marble Top, France c. 1750
Located in Atlanta, GA
A petite Louis XV period serpentine commode in East Indian Rosewood & Kingwood, mounted with a mottled gray marble top, gilt-bronze mounts and hardware throughout, 3 drawers and end...
Marble, Bronze
Sold
H 29.5 in W 15.25 in D 13.25 in
Petite French Louis XV Style Rosewood Marquetry Lingerie Chest or Commode
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This intricately inlaid small-scale Louis XV style inlaid chest or nightstand was originally designed to hold lingerie and jewelry. Its four drawer body has a serpentine front which ...
Bronze
SATURDAY SALE. Petite LOUIS XV style Bombee COMMODE
Located in Miami, FL
Rosewood and ammarante LOUIS XV commode, 19 century, original bronze and original Languedoc grey veined marble top.
Marble, Bronze
Sold
H 32.5 in W 32.25 in D 15.5 in
Beautiful Louis XV Petite Commode Nightstand or Side Table with Marble Top
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Beautiful Louis XV burled walnut petite commode, nightstand or side table having dark green marble top and original bronze pulls and scrollwork. #4361.
Marble
Sold
H 32 in W 40.5 in D 17.75 in
Petite French Satinwood Inlaid Louis XV Style Server Buffet Commode Circa 1920
Located in Long Branch, NJ
Petite French Satinwood Inlaid Louis XV Style Server Buffet Commode Circa 1920 Dimensions : 40.5" Wide X 32" Tall X 17.75" Deep This gorgeous commode was made in France in the 192...
Brass
18th c. French Louis XV Style Petite Commode or Chest of Drawers
Located in Winter Park, FL
An 18th Century Louis XV style petite commode or chest of drawers, made of walnut with waxed finish.
Marble
Sold
H 26.75 in W 32.25 in D 20.25 in
French Early 19th Century Louis XV Marble Top Burled Walnut Petite Commode
Located in Hopewell, NJ
A most handsome French early 19th century Louis XV period walnut petite commode. The chest is raised by elegant tapered short cabriole legs, and above the fine shaped frieze are thre...
Marble, Bronze
Sold
H 27.5 in W 16 in D 11 in
19th Century French Louis XV Petite Parquetry Commode with Hidden Compartment
Located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Richly mounted with leaf-work gilt bronzes and edged with gilt bronze this piece is a gem. The bronze edged top opens up (by a hidden device underneath) to a lined compartment. Top a...
Bronze
Petite French Louis XV Style Bombe Commode, Chest of Drawers
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Petite French Louis XV Style Bombe Commode, Chest of Drawers This Walnut Marquetry Chest is a very rare piece, it has the classic bombe shape of a Louis XV commode but this one is s...
Walnut
Sold
H 32.25 in W 35 in D 18.63 in
French Louis XV/XVI Transitional Style Petite Walnut Commode, 20th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
The French Louis XV/XVI transitional petite walnut commode with serpentine front, 2 carved drawers, fluted sides and shape apron below ending in cabriole legs.
Brass
Diminutive 19th Century Walnut French Louis XV Petite Chest
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Small French chest of drawers, full Louis XV period, fantastic wood texture, excellent quality, inlaid burlwood panels on the 2 drawers and lovely grains that highlight the beauty of...
Brass
Louis XV Petite Commode
By Viri
Located in Doylestown, PA
A serpentine-front petite commode in walnut, circa 1760, with a period stone top over three drawers adorned with mask-form key escutcheons. The piece is signed "Viri" in two places ...
Marble
Sold
H 36.5 in W 27 in D 16.5 in
Antique French Chest of Drawers Louis XV Petite End Table Nightstand Oak Keys
Located in Tyler, TX
EXQUISITE antique French oak Louis XV style chest of drawers, nightstand or end table with 3 drawers~~highly carved~~19th century. This is a SUPERB example of an antique classi...
Oak
Petite Marble top Marquetry Commode, C.1920's
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
Louis XV style commode. Double edge marble top with beautiful cast gold gilt brass mounts.
Marble
A Fine Louis XV Painted and Parcel-Gilt Commode
Located in Doylestown, PA
An exceptional Louis XV petite commode with its original "Rouge Royale" marble top, above two serpentine drawers mounted with gilt bronze hardware, raised on cabriole legs.
Sold
H 32.75 in W 28.75 in D 16 in
19th century Pair of Italian Walnut petite Bombé Commodes with Cabriole Legs
Located in Atlanta, GA
This pair of Italian Louis XV style walnut petite bombé commodes features for each piece a molded, shaped top over two serpentine drawers with slightly bowed sides.
Brass
Sold
H 29.25 in W 19.5 in D 13 in
Early 19th Century French Inlaid Three Drawer Marble-Top Petite Commode
Located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
This attractive petite French three drawer commode or side table dating to the early 19th century features a marble top partly surrounded by a bronze gallery above an oval body with ...
Marble, Bronze
Sold
H 31 in W 13 in D 10.5 in
French Ormolu Mounted Parquetry Petite Marble Top Cabinet Commode, 19th Century
Located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
This lovely petite commode dating to the late 19th century, features a marble top partly surrounded by a reticulated bronze gallery above two drawers and a cabinet with inlaid door. ...
Marble, Bronze
Sold
H 28.5 in W 18 in D 14 in
French Serpentine Front Marble Top Petite Commode from the Late 19th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French serpentine front marble top commode from the late 19th century. This petite commode is a charming object of levity. It features a front made of three drawers, two of which a...
Marble
Sold
H 30.5 in W 14.5 in D 12 in
Unique Library Themed Mid-19th Century French Rosewood Marble Top Petite Commode
Located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
This fetching petite commode features a variegated marble top with reticulated brass gallery above a single drawer and two doors adorned with antique gilt tooled leather book spines,...
Brass
Petite Serpentine Commode with Marble Top & Ormolu, ca. 1760
Located in Atlanta, GA
A petite Louis XV serpentine commode with moulded grey marble top over a serpentine front with 2 conforming drawers resting atop slender cabriole legs.
Sold
H 31.75 in W 25.25 in D 14.75 in
French Louis XV Inlaid Walnut and Fruitwood Petite Commode Night Stand
Located in Hopewell, NJ
A petite Louis XV period serpentine commode with shaped front and having original shaped marble beveled top mounted with a lovely mottled beige marble top, gilt-bronze mounts and har...
Marble, Bronze
Pair of Louis XV Style Tulipwood Petite Commodes
Located in Essex, MA
Serpentine marble top over two drawers. Raised on cabrille legs. Key included. Thick marble top.
Petite Marbletop Rosewood Marquetry Chest
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This small scale Louis XV style bombé marquetry chest has its original marble top and bronze ormolu fittings. Beautifully detailed rosewood with floral inlay, slender cabriole legs,...
Marble, Bronze
Sold
H 29.14 in W 17.92 in D 11.03 in
19th C. Pair of French Louis XV Style Petites Commodes with Marble Top
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A wonderful pair of 19th century French marquetry petites commodes or bedside tables, finely crafted in the Louis XV style.
Marble, Bronze
Petite Pair of Provincial Cherrywood Chests
Located in Dallas, TX
Small elegant pair of 19th century French Provincial cherry wood bedside chests or side chests with wonderfully carved drawers accented with fancy bronze pulls and escutcheons. Each ...
Cherry
Italian Petite Commode
Located in Atlanta, GA
20th Century burl wood petite commode or side table with a demilune shape and scalloped top gallery and apron. The case holds three shaped drawers flanked by nulled columns and rests...
Brass
1950s Italian Petite Olive Wood and Walnut Burl Bombay Chest
Located in Doylestown, PA
Vintage miniature Bombay chest, made in Italy, c. 1950's. Charming Louis XV style commode in beautiful olive wood and walnut burl. It features three dovetailed drawers with bronze f...
Brass
Petite Marble-Top Bombe Commode Nightstand
Located in Old Town Orange, CA
Early 20th century bombe style nightstand side table, with soft blush and grey marble top. Bronze-mounted ormolu decorations and French style handles, the bombe has one working drawe...
Marble, Bronze
Sold
H 29 in W 15.25 in D 12 in
Pair of 19th Century French Walnut Nightstands with Leather Book Spine Doors
Located in Dallas, TX
These cabinets were crafted in France circa 1890; each elegant antique chest sits on cabriole legs ending with brass sabots over a scalloped apron. The petite Louis XV style commode ...
Walnut
Sold
H 29 in W 14.25 in L 29 in
19th Century French Marquetry and Bronze Walnut Nightstand with Grey Marble Top
Located in Dallas, TX
Crafted in France circa 1890, this elegant antique chest sits on cabriole legs decorated with bronze caps feet over a scalloped apron. The petite Louis XV style commode features two ...
Marble, Bronze
Sold
H 29.25 in W 14.25 in L 29.25 in
19th Century French Marquetry and Bronze Walnut Nightstand with Marble Top
Located in Dallas, TX
Crafted in France circa 1890, this elegant antique chest sits on cabriole legs decorated with bronze caps feet over a scalloped apron. The petite Louis XV style commode features two ...
Marble, Bronze
Sold
H 29.25 in W 14.25 in L 29.25 in
19th Century Marquetry and Bronze Walnut Nightstands with Marble, Set of 2
Located in Dallas, TX
Crafted in France circa 1890, these elegant antique chests stand on cabriole legs decorated with bronze caps feet over a scalloped apron. The petite Louis XV style commodes feature t...
Marble, Bronze
Diminutive Louis XV Style Demilune Commode with Marble Top
Located in WEST PALM BEACH, FL
This is a Louis XV style mahogany inlaid commode with a sienna marble top over two inlaid drawers, supported by slender cabriole legs with brass mounts.
Marble
$1,700
H 30.5 in W 23.75 in D 17 in
Mid-Century French Kidney-Shaped Walnut Commode with Breche d’Alep Top
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant antique kidney-shaped fruitwood commode was crafted in France circa 1950 and reflects the refined craftsmanship and decorative restraint of mid-century French furniture....
Marble, Bronze
$555
H 53.5 in W 26 in D 14 in
Vernis Martin French Curio Cabinet Bronze Mounts and Hand Painted Panels
By Vernis Martin
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Distressed paint but structurally sound and tight, Vernis Martin vitrine with hand painted panels, bronze mounts and curved glass. Has working lockset & key. Three glass shelves all ...
Bronze
$437Sale Price|65% Off
H 22 in W 30 in D 17.5 in
19th Century Diminutive French Provincial Child’s Chest of Drawers
Located in Vero Beach, FL
19th century Diminutive French Provincial Child’s chest of drawers This child’s Baroque style French country chest of drawers has a finely serpentine façade that has two spacious an...
Fruitwood
Antique French Louis XV Style Bombe Chest of Drawers
By Charles Cressent
Located in Forney, TX
A stunning French Louis XV bombe marble-top chest of drawers commode from the 19th century, styled in the manner of Charles Cressent (France, 1685–1768), finished in luxurious Rocco ...
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
$1,896Sale Price|50% Off
H 32.49 in W 29.14 in D 15.56 in
19th Century Louis XVI Style Petite Commode 'Sauteuse'
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
An attractive little Louis XVI style “sauteuse” chest of drawers, in veneered wood, with inlaid marquetry decoration and a 'Breche d'Alep' marble top. This 'transitional' style commo...
Marble, Bronze
$187,500
H 102 in W 84.5 in D 22.5 in
Exceptional 19th Century English Chinoiserie Pagoda Display Cabinet
Located in Houston, TX
Large-scale 19th century English display cabinet executed in the Chinoiserie tradition. Constructed in carved mahogany and conceived as a tripartite architectural façade, each glazed...
Glass, Mahogany
$14,887Sale Price|25% Off
H 36 in W 59.25 in D 22.25 in
French Louis XV Style Bombé Fruitwood Marquetry & Ormolu Mounted Commode
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A French Louis XV Style bois satiné, Fruitwood - Ormolu Mounted Two-Drawer Bombé Commode with mottled marble top. The bowed front and sides with floral marquetry and floral ormolu ha...
Marble, Bronze
$800
H 32 in W 48 in D 18.5 in
Marble Top Three Drawer Commode with Marquetry and Gilt Bronze Mounts, 20th C
Located in Miami, FL
Marble Top Three Drawer Commode with Marquetry and Gilt Bronze Mounts, 20th C Offered for sale is a marble top three-drawer commode with marquetry and gilt bronze hardware and mount...
Marble, Bronze
Hand Painted Neoclassical Style Commode/Bombe Chest
By Edgar Nye
Located in East Freetown, MA
Neoclassical style hand painted commode/bombe chest. Antique white with hand painted floral design and Italian charm.
Wood
$3,048Sale Price|30% Off
H 35.44 in W 42.13 in D 21.66 in
Louis XVI Commode, Walnut & Marble, France, Circa 1810
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
An exquisite, early 19th century Louis XVI style two-drawer 'Commode Sauteuse', with a white marble top and gilt bronze fittings. This curiously named style of commode always feature...
Marble, Bronze
$48,950Sale Price|42% Off
H 37 in W 60.25 in D 20.38 in
French 19th Century Louis XV-XVI Ormolu Mounted Marquetry Commode Marble Top
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Very Fine French 19th Century Louis XVI-Louis XVI Transition Style Ormolu-Mounted Mahogany, Birdseye Maple, Fruitwood and Sycamore Marquetry and Parquetry Commode with a Brèche d'A...
Marble, Ormolu, Bronze
$20,055Sale Price|30% Off
H 35.25 in W 62 in D 25.25 in
French 19th/20th Century Louis XV Style Gilt-Bronze Mounted Commode Marble Top
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A French 19th/20th Century Louis XV Style Gilt-Bronze Mounted Kingwood, Amaranth, Satinwood and Tulipwood Bois Satiné and Bois de Bout Floral Marquetry Two-Drawer Commode of bombé se...
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Oak Sideboard-Buffet
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
Oak sideboard is a nice addition to any room. With a raised panel door style and hinged door mechanism, it features three doors and two drawers, providing ample storage space. This s...
Oak
$1,760Sale Price|54% Off
H 32.49 in W 29.14 in D 15.56 in
19th Century Louis XVI Commode with Marquetry and Grey Marble Top
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A dainty 19th century French commode in the Louis XVI style, in marquetry veneer with a grey marble top. Its two drawers, with central projection, are adorned with bronze handles and...
Marble
$4,760Sale Price|20% Off
H 33.75 in W 56 in D 22 in
Antique French Louis XV Style Marble Top Commode Chest of Drawers Dresser
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This antique French Louis XV style marble top commode chest of drawers is a refined example of 19th-century craftsmanship, showcasing exquisite marquetry and ormolu-mounted detailing...
Marble, Bronze
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.