18th Century Dutch Serpentine Front Chest of Drawers
Located in Charleston, SC
An exquisite and richly carved serpentine fronted mid-18th century chest with rare double serpentine mouldings on the drawers on stands and beautiful original brass hardware’s, in bl...
Bronze
18th Century Dutch Serpentine Front Chest of Drawers
Located in Charleston, SC
18th century four drawers Dutch chest in richly carved, bleached oak with curvaceous serpentine drawer fronts, shaped top, handsome original large iron handles on the side panels and...
Iron
Antique Burr Walnut Serpentine Fronted Chest of Drawers
Located in London, GB
It's in good condition and dates to around the 1930s period. There are four serpentine fronted drawers with original brass handles and it sits on bracket feet.
Walnut
19th Century Swedish Serpentine Front Chest of Drawers
Located in Charleston, SC
A beautifully carved 19th century chest with wonderfully curvaceous serpentine drawers with charming hardwares. Wonderful statement piece! Sweden, circa 1880. Here are few exampl...
Pine
George III Mahogany Serpentine-fronted Chest Of Drawers
Located in valatie, NY
This traditional English chest has an exceptional serpentine shape. It has six beaded drawers of different sizes all following the curves of the rare figured Mahogany. Each drawer is...
Mahogany
German Serpentine front Chest of Drawers 18th century
Located in Charleston, SC
Painted German chest of drawers with three curvaceous outline deep drawers supported by ball feet. Germany 18th century.
Bronze
STUNNING FLAMED HARDWOOD HOWARD & SON'S SERPENTINE FRONTED CHEST OF DRAWERs
By Howard and Sons, Howard & Sons Ltd
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this extremely rare large Howard & Son’s 1880 fully stamped Flamed Mahogany Serpentine fronted chest of draw...
Hardwood
18th Century Swedish Serpentine Front Chest in Original Color
Located in Charleston, SC
An exceptional 18th century Swedish chest in original time worn paint with beautifully carved serpentine drawer fronts with original handsome bronze hardwares and shaped top.
Bronze
George III Figured Mahogany Serpentine Front Chest of Drawers
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
A good example of a George III chest of drawers. In figured mahogany with a lovely serpentine shaped front.
Mahogany
Art Deco Serpentine Front Chest of Drawers, circa 1930
Located in Paddock Wood Tonbridge, GB
An Art Deco Chest of drawers in serpentine form with excellent quality construction and finished in burr maple and walnut with phenolic handles. The chest is in excellent condition, ...
Maple
19th Century Danish Serpentine Front Chest in Original Color
Located in Charleston, SC
An exceptional 19th century Danish Rococo chest in brilliant time worn original paint with beautifully carved serpentine drawers with original handsome bronze escutcheons, Denmark, c...
Oak, Paint
19th Century Danish Serpentine Front Chest in Original Color
Located in Charleston, SC
An exceptional 19th century Danish Rococo chest in brilliant time worn original paint with beautifully carved serpentine drawers with original handsome bronze escutcheons, Denmark, ...
Pine, Paint
Kindel Furniture Georgian Mahogany Serpentine Front Chest of Drawers
By Kindel Furniture
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Georgian or Chippendale style dresser chest or commode By Kindel Furniture USA, mid-20th century Gorgeous figured mahogany, with original brass hardware. M...
Brass
Stunning Julian Chichester Chelsea London Serpentine Fronted Chest of Drawers
By Julian Chichester
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely RRP £2699 Julian Chichester chest of drawers A good looking well made and decorative piece, they have a nice serpentine front, the ...
Oak
Kindel Furniture Georgian Mahogany Serpentine Front Chest of Drawers, Refinished
By Kindel Furniture
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Georgian or Chippendale style dresser chest or commode By Kindel Furniture USA, Mid-20th Century Gorgeous figured mahogany, with original brass hardware. M...
Brass
A Swedish Serpentine Front Chest in Original Paint, Ca.1820-40
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A four-drawer serpentine chest with elegant curves and uniquely shaped bracket feet.
Baker Furniture Georgian Flame Mahogany Serpentine Front Chests of Drawers, Pair
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of Georgian serpentine front three-drawer bachelor chests of drawers or commodes By Baker Furniture USA, Circa 1960s Beautiful flame mahogany, with original brass ...
Brass
Exceptional Parchment Serpentine Front Chest in the Style of Samuel Marx
By Samuel Marx
Located in Atlanta, GA
A modern interpretation of a classical Georgian form in the style of the American architect and furniture designer Samuel Marx (1885-1964). Vellum parchment over hardwood, with marbl...
Hardwood, Vellum
Baker Furniture Georgian Flame Mahogany Serpentine Front Chest of Drawers, 1940s
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Georgian or Regency style flame mahogany dresser or chest of drawers By Baker Furniture USA, Circa 1940s Beautiful book-matched flame mahogany, with embossed leathe...
Brass
Pair of Hardwood Side End Lamp Table Sized Serpentine Fronted Chest of Drawers
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely pair of serpentine fronted, flamed Mahogany chest of drawers.
Hardwood
Baker Furniture Georgian Banded Mahogany Serpentine Front Chest of Drawers
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Georgian or Chippendale style serpentine front dresser or chest of drawers By Baker Furniture USA, Late 20th Century Carved mahogany, with satinwood banding and inl...
Brass
Pair of Serpentine Front Georgian Grey Chests
Located in North York, ON
These gorgeous, serpentine front chests were recently given a makeover!
Brass
Sold|$6,850
Chippendale Serpentine 4 Drawer Chest
Located in San Francisco, CA
A good quality mahogany George III serpentine front chest, the overhanging crossbanded top above 4 graduated crossbanded drawers supported by bold bracket feet.
Mahogany, Oak
Serpentine Front Painted Chest After Peter Hunt
Located in Hanover, MA
Serpentine front chest of drawers with later (perhaps mid-20th century) hand painted decorative finish in the style of the masters of American folk art, Peter Hunt, Per Lysne, and Pe...
Sold|$6,940
Large 18th Century Danish Serpentine Chest
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
Large 18th Century Danish serpentine front chest. Repainted in light grey, featuring three large drawers, this piece has had some minor restoration over the years.
Wood
Adams Style Chest, Commode or Dresser, Onyx Top Serpentine Painted Front
Located in Stamford, CT
A fine Adams style onyx top serpentine front chest circa 1940s depicting figures playing instruments, rabbits, birds and fruit in a landscape.
Metal
Sold|$2,800
English Mahogany Serpentine Chest
Located in Charlottesville, VA
An English mahogany serpentine-front chest with four graduated drawers, each fitted with brass pulls and escutcheons.
Mahogany
Sold|$28,480
Antique Georgian Mahogany Serpentine Chest
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A Superb Chippendale Period Cuban Mahogany Serpentine Fronted Chest, Or Commode, Having Superbly Figured Top Above Four Long Drawers And Brushing Slide Retaining Original Gilded ...
Pair Of Elegant Serpentine Grosfeld House Chests
By Grosfeld House
Located in Palm Springs, CA
An elegant pair of serpentine front chests by Grosfeld house. These chest have wonderful pulls.
Wood
Antique Burr Walnut Serpentine Chest of Drawers
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
Antique Walnut Serpentine Chest of Drawers Item Code: LC1376 A fine quality antique walnut serpentine front chest of drawers, beautifully proportioned and standing on cabriole legs w...
Walnut
Pair of Vintage Serpentine Three-Drawer Painted Wood Chests
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of three-drawer serpentine front chests from Canada. This pair of chests from the mid-20th century features a light grey green color with lighter accents on the carved side...
Wood
19th Century American Federal Serpentine Mahogany Chest of Drawers
Located in Nashville, TN
Handsome early to mid 19th century Serpentine front chest with four graduated drawers The drawer fronts are banded with rosewood and satinwood veneer.
Mahogany, Rosewood
Italian Louis XV Style Chinoiserie Decorated Chest of Drawers
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Italian Louis XV style chinoiserie decorated serpentine front chest of drawers with a faux marble top, mid-20th century.
Wood, Giltwood, Paint
George III Period Serpentine Chest in Mahogany, England c. 1790
Located in Atlanta, GA
A George III period Serpentine-fronted Chest of Drawers, constructed in mahogany with figured-Mahogany exterior.
Brass
George III period Serpentine Chest in Mahogany, c. 1780
Located in Atlanta, GA
A fine serpentine-fronted chest of drawers in Mahogany, English in origin and dating from the George III period.
Sold|$2,250
Dutch Burled Walnut Chest of Drawers
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Dutch burled walnut double serpentine front chest of drawers, circa 1800. This chest of drawers has exquisite burled walnut on the front, top and sides.
Brass
Sold|$6,797 / set
Pair of English Chest of Drawers
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Pair of early 20th C English painted oak serpentine front chest of drawers. 1920. Reference: 7376 Dimensions 34 inches (86 cms) Wide 19 inches (48 cms) Deep 31 inches (79 cm...
Mahogany, Oak
Larger Serpentine Fronted Ralph Lauren American Hardwood Chest of Drawers
By Ralph Lauren
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to this lovely Ralph Lauren American mahogany serpentine fronted chest of drawers A good looking and well-made piece, the curves to the front really set it off ni...
Hardwood
Sold|$1,156
Antique Mahogany Serpentine Chest of Drawers
Located in London, GB
This antique mahogany serpentine fronted chest of drawers is of very fine quality & I would date it to around the 1920-30’s period.
Mahogany
Georgian Revival Flame Mahogany Chest on Chest
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A superb-quality Georgian revival serpentine-front chest on chest, the drawers with highly figured flame mahogany and with blind fretwork to the canted corners, the whole standing on...
Mahogany
Stunning Serpentine Fronted Ralph Lauren American Hardwood Chest of Drawers
By Ralph Lauren
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely Ralph Lauren American Mahogany serpentine fronted chest of drawers A good looking and well made piece, the curves to the front reall...
Hardwood
Sold|$4,500
Five Drawer Walnut Semanier
Located in Buchanan, NY
A narrow serpentine front chest of drawers in walnut veneer.
Wood
Antique Walnut Serpentine Chest of Drawers
Located in London, GB
A very well made and useful antique walnut serpentine fronted chest of drawers the Georgian style.
Walnut
Georgian Style Figured Walnut Tall Chest of Drawers
Located in Cheshire, GB
Georgian-style figured walnut serpentine fronted chest of drawers, the moulded top above six long graduated drawers, all having solid oak liners and brass tooled handles, All raised ...
Walnut
Sold|$14,500
18th Century Baroque Commode
Located in Montreal, QC
Fine serpentine front chest of drawers with highly figured and bookmatched walnut veneer, resting on bun feet.
Sold|$6,975
18th Century Irish Chest of Drawers
Located in High Point, NC
18th century serpentine front chest of drawers from Ireland. The top is serpentine shaped to complement the lines of the case, and is nicely grained.
Mahogany
18th Century Louis XV Period French Serpentine Chest of Drawers
Located in Wichita, KS
A French serpentine front chest of drawers with a shaped top and old paint patina from the late Louis XV period.
English George II Chippendale Style Mahogany and Amboyna Chest of Drawers
By Thomas Chippendale
Located in Kinderhook, NY
Fine and authentic English bench made solid mahogany serpentine front chest of four drawers after a design by Thomas Chippendale (1718-1779) of circa 1755; the top with burled amboyn...
Brass
Sold|$78,500
Thomas Chippendale Mahogany Serpentine Chest
By Thomas Chippendale
Located in New Orleans, LA
This incredibly rare serpentine-front chest of drawers is attributed to the iconic Thomas Chippendale and is counted as one of the few examples in existence made by his hand.
Serpentine, Brass
Sold|$2,245
Antique Flame Mahogany Chest on Chest
Located in London, GB
This antique mahogany serpentine fronted chest on chest is extremely fine quality and in excellent condition.
Mahogany
Sold|$8,013 / item
George III Style Bedside Dresser
Located in Westwood, NJ
George III style serpentine fronted chest of three mahogany and crossbanded drawers with patinated brass oval handles raised on tapering paneled legs with brass caps.
Wood
Antique French Chest of Drawers Commode Serpentine Carved Oak Louis XV
Located in Tyler, TX
EXQUISITE Antique French Dark Oak Louis XV Style Serpentine Front Chest of Drawers or Commode~~1900-1920 This is a SUPERB example of an antique French oak Louis XV style chest of dr...
Oak
Sold|$3,500
Pair of Antique Parquetry Bombe Commodes
Located in North York, ON
This pair of antique, serpentine-fronted chests of drawers are sleek yet ornately decorated.
Brass
Antique French Chest of Drawers Commode Serpentine Carved Oak Louis XV c.1930s
Located in Tyler, TX
EXQUISITE Antique French Country Oak Louis XV Style Serpentine Front Chest of Drawers or Commode~~1930s This is a SUPERB example of an antique French Country oak Louis XV style ches...
Oak
Antique Mahogany George III Serpentine Chest Drawers, 18th Century
Located in London, GB
This is beautifully crafted antique George III flame mahogany serpentine fronted chest of drawers, circa 1780 in date.
Mahogany
Antique George III Serpentine Chest Drawers, circa 1780
Located in London, GB
This is beautifully crafted antique George III mahogany serpentine fronted chest of drawers, circa 1780 in date.
Mahogany
Antique George III Serpentine Chest Drawers, circa 1775
Located in London, GB
This is beautifully crafted antique George III mahogany serpentine fronted chest of drawers, circa 1775 in date.
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.
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