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White Lacquer Mid-Century Modern Four-Drawer Cabinet Tall Nightstand End Table
White Lacquer Mid-Century Modern Four-Drawer Cabinet Tall Nightstand End Table

White Lacquer Mid-Century Modern Four-Drawer Cabinet Tall Nightstand End Table

By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Tommi Parzinger

Located in Rockaway, NJ

White lacquer solid ring pulls four drawers Mid-Century Modern cabinet end table stand or chest of drawers. Nice medium gloss white lacquer finish.

Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Pair of Mid-19th Century Mahogany Tall Chests of Drawers attributed to Gillow
Pair of Mid-19th Century Mahogany Tall Chests of Drawers attributed to Gillow

Pair of Mid-19th Century Mahogany Tall Chests of Drawers attributed to Gillow

By Gillows of Lancaster & London

Located in London, GB

A Fine Pair of Mahogany Wellington Chests Attributed to Gillows Constructed using a superb Cuban Mahogany, the pair of chests supported on rounded plinths, each cabinet housing a se...

Category

Antique 19th Century English Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

Pair of Tall Slim Vintage Military Campaign Side End Lamp Wine Table Drawers
Pair of Tall Slim Vintage Military Campaign Side End Lamp Wine Table Drawers

Pair of Tall Slim Vintage Military Campaign Side End Lamp Wine Table Drawers

Located in West Sussex, Pulborough

in the same style but much wider listed under my other items These are tall, with lots of storage

Category

20th Century English Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Pair of Tall Victorian Walnut Chest of Drawers, Lamp Wine Occasional End Tables
Pair of Tall Victorian Walnut Chest of Drawers, Lamp Wine Occasional End Tables

Pair of Tall Victorian Walnut Chest of Drawers, Lamp Wine Occasional End Tables

Located in West Sussex, Pulborough

We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning pair of Victorian tall chests of drawers in walnut

Category

Antique 19th Century English Victorian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Walnut

Daniel Cottier A Rare and Early Anglo-Japanese Ebonized Tall Chest of Drawers
Daniel Cottier A Rare and Early Anglo-Japanese Ebonized Tall Chest of Drawers

Daniel Cottier A Rare and Early Anglo-Japanese Ebonized Tall Chest of Drawers

By Daniel Cottier

Located in London, GB

A rare and early Anglo-Japanese ebonized tall chest of drawers, designed by Daniel Cottier with

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Anglo-Japanese Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble

21st Century Pleasure Tall Chest of Drawers in Wood and top in White Marble
21st Century Pleasure Tall Chest of Drawers in Wood and top in White Marble

21st Century Pleasure Tall Chest of Drawers in Wood and top in White Marble

By Jumbo Collection

Located in Cantù, Lombardia

Pleasure is a line of furnishings with linear and essential shapes, characterized by an elegant and refined charm. The chest of drawers of the collection, in deco style, features a s...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble

Art Deco Cabinet by Jean Desnos, Polished Rosewood, France, Circa 1940
Art Deco Cabinet by Jean Desnos, Polished Rosewood, France, Circa 1940

Art Deco Cabinet by Jean Desnos, Polished Rosewood, France, Circa 1940

By Jean Desnos

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

bronze plaque, showing a centaur with a female nude, signed Desnos. The interior of the tall commode is

Category

Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Cabinets

Materials

Metal, Brass, Bronze

Vintage Art Deco Sideboard by Jindřich Halabala, Circa 1935
Vintage Art Deco Sideboard by Jindřich Halabala, Circa 1935

Vintage Art Deco Sideboard by Jindřich Halabala, Circa 1935

By Jindřich Halabala

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

round polished door handles, pulls. The interior of the tall commode consists adjustable shelving and

Category

Early 20th Century Czech Art Deco Cabinets

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Vintage Dorothy Draper “Espana” Chest of Drawers
Vintage Dorothy Draper “Espana” Chest of Drawers

Vintage Dorothy Draper “Espana” Chest of Drawers

By Dorothy Draper

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

” wide, 20” deep, and 31.5” tall, this substantial commode offers versatile storage for a primary suite

Category

Mid-20th Century American Hollywood Regency Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood, Paint

Small grey Biedermeier Chest of Drawers, 19th Century
Small grey Biedermeier Chest of Drawers, 19th Century

Small grey Biedermeier Chest of Drawers, 19th Century

Located in Greding, DE

Elegant small Biedermeier commode standing on tall, curved legs. The piece features two drawers

Category

Antique 19th Century German Biedermeier Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Spruce

18th Century Italian Louis XV Period Marquetry Bombe Chest of Drawers
18th Century Italian Louis XV Period Marquetry Bombe Chest of Drawers

18th Century Italian Louis XV Period Marquetry Bombe Chest of Drawers

Located in Vancouver, British Columbia

A fine Italian mid-18th century figured-walnut bombe three drawer commode; the commode is inlaid on

Category

Antique Mid-18th Century European Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Walnut, Olive

19th Century French Neoclassical Empire Bronze & Mahogany Lingerie Chest
19th Century French Neoclassical Empire Bronze & Mahogany Lingerie Chest

19th Century French Neoclassical Empire Bronze & Mahogany Lingerie Chest

Located in Hopewell, NJ

the name derived from the French word for week (semaine). This lovely tall neoclassical commode was

Category

Antique 19th Century French Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Bronze

Empire Style Chest of Drawers with Painted Trompe L'Oeil, France, 19th Century
Empire Style Chest of Drawers with Painted Trompe L'Oeil, France, 19th Century

Empire Style Chest of Drawers with Painted Trompe L'Oeil, France, 19th Century

Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse

Tall French Empire-style commode. The pine wood is painted in a faux-bois trompe l'oeil imitating

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Veneered French Chiffonnier from Le Dauphiné, circa 1850
Veneered French Chiffonnier from Le Dauphiné, circa 1850

Veneered French Chiffonnier from Le Dauphiné, circa 1850

Located in Dallas, TX

for luxury household goods. A chiffonier is a tall and narrow commode with more than three drawers

Category

Antique 1850s French Napoleon III Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Metal, Bronze

Vintage Patinated Gustavian Serpentine Chest of Drawers
Vintage Patinated Gustavian Serpentine Chest of Drawers

Vintage Patinated Gustavian Serpentine Chest of Drawers

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

refinement. Measuring 54.25" wide, 25" deep, and 37" tall, this substantial commode offers both a grand

Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Neoclassical Dressers

Materials

Brass

Vintage Regency Flame Mahogany Empire Credenza
Vintage Regency Flame Mahogany Empire Credenza

Vintage Regency Flame Mahogany Empire Credenza

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

cream tones perfectly complementing the reddish hues of the wood. Measuring 67x22.25x32.25 inches tall

Category

Mid-20th Century American French Provincial Credenzas

Materials

Brass

19C French Empire Style Complete Bedroom Set - Outstanding
19C French Empire Style Complete Bedroom Set - Outstanding

19C French Empire Style Complete Bedroom Set - Outstanding

Located in Dallas, TX

inches Deep Commode: 33 inches tall, 49 inches Wide and 23.5 inches Deep Night Stands: Each: 30.25

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Empire Revival Bedroom Sets

Materials

Ormolu

1920s French Art Deco Louis XVI Style Mahogany Bedside Cabinet
1920s French Art Deco Louis XVI Style Mahogany Bedside Cabinet

1920s French Art Deco Louis XVI Style Mahogany Bedside Cabinet

Located in Forney, TX

ideal size and proportions for a variety of different uses, including as a bedside cabinet or commode

Category

Early 20th Century French Art Deco Night Stands

Materials

Marble, Brass

Fine Antique French Louis XVI Style Mahogany Nightstand Table
Fine Antique French Louis XVI Style Mahogany Nightstand Table

Fine Antique French Louis XVI Style Mahogany Nightstand Table

Located in Forney, TX

, including as a bedroom commode - nightstand, tall chair side table or end table, hall or pier console, plant

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Night Stands

Materials

Marble, Metal, Brass

19th Century English Mahogany Commode or Tall Chest of Drawers, 1850s
19th Century English Mahogany Commode or Tall Chest of Drawers, 1850s

19th Century English Mahogany Commode or Tall Chest of Drawers, 1850s

Located in Casale Monferrato, IT

commode have been used in need of restoration as you can see from the wear defects in photos. We can

Category

Antique 1850s English Dressers

Materials

Mahogany

Pair 1940's Tall Hollywood Regency Dark Walnut Chiffoniers/ Tall Boys/ Wardrobes
Pair 1940's Tall Hollywood Regency Dark Walnut Chiffoniers/ Tall Boys/ Wardrobes

Pair 1940's Tall Hollywood Regency Dark Walnut Chiffoniers/ Tall Boys/ Wardrobes

Located in Opa Locka, FL

1940's Pair Hollywood Regency Carved Walnut Tall Chiffoniers/ Bachelors Chests/ Tall Boys

Category

Vintage 1940s American Hollywood Regency Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Dutch High Boy Chest of Drawers with Marquetry Inlaid Shell Designs, circa 1820
Dutch High Boy Chest of Drawers with Marquetry Inlaid Shell Designs, circa 1820

Dutch High Boy Chest of Drawers with Marquetry Inlaid Shell Designs, circa 1820

Located in Antwerp, BE

A phenomenal Dutch high boy or" tall commode" in mahogany with satinwood inlaid shell designs. The

Category

Antique Early 19th Century Dutch Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

Danish Mid 19th Century Biedermeier Commode Tall Chest of drawers
Danish Mid 19th Century Biedermeier Commode Tall Chest of drawers

Danish Mid 19th Century Biedermeier Commode Tall Chest of drawers

Located in Santander, ES

Attractive flame mahogany Danish Biedermeier tallboy commode dating to the end of the second

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Danish Biedermeier Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

Antique Queen Anne style burr walnut tall boy chest of drawers commode
Antique Queen Anne style burr walnut tall boy chest of drawers commode

Antique Queen Anne style burr walnut tall boy chest of drawers commode

Located in Chelmsford, GB

Fine quality Queen Anne style burr walnut chest on stand tall boy circa 1920 .. The chest has a

Category

Vintage 1920s English Queen Anne Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Walnut

Cerused Tall Chest
Cerused Tall Chest

Cerused Tall Chest

Unavailable|$1,975

Cerused Tall Chest

Located in Toronto, ON

Cerused tall chest of 6 drawers with fabulous original nickel hardware. Recently French polished.

Category

Vintage 1950s American Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Nickel

Empire Tall Chest
Empire Tall Chest

Empire Tall Chest

Unavailable|$8,000

Empire Tall Chest

Located in Kensington, MD

English, six drawer chest, flame mahogany with brass filet, "original" hardware with all locking drawers. View our complete collection @ www.hollisandknight.com

Category

Antique 19th Century English Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Paul Frankl Tall Chest
Paul Frankl Tall Chest

Paul Frankl Tall Chest

Unavailable|$2,400

Paul Frankl Tall Chest

By Paul Frankl

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

PAUL FRANKL Tall Chest by Johnson Furniture in nice as found VINTAGE condition. There are minor

Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Unmarked Tall Deco Chest
Unmarked Tall Deco Chest

Unmarked Tall Deco Chest

Unavailable|$1,525

Unmarked Tall Deco Chest

Located in Washington, D.C., DC

Unmarked tall deco chest with brushed nickle hardware.

Category

Vintage 1930s American Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Empire  Mahogany Tall Chest
Empire  Mahogany Tall Chest

Empire Mahogany Tall Chest

Unavailable|$4,800

Empire Mahogany Tall Chest

Located in Santa Rosa, CA

Empire Mahogany Tall Chest with five drawers on cabriole legs and brass hardware. French, Circa

Category

Antique 19th Century French Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

English Walnut Tall Chest
English Walnut Tall Chest

English Walnut Tall Chest

Unavailable|$3,395

English Walnut Tall Chest

Located in Wilson, NC

English walnut tall chest, has seven drawers and a crossbanded and ogee molded top with ribbed

Category

Antique 1770s English Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Tall Biedermeier Eight-Drawer Chest
Tall Biedermeier Eight-Drawer Chest

Tall Biedermeier Eight-Drawer Chest

Located in Wels, AT

Biedermeier tall eight-drawer chest. Semainier, flanking black columns.

Category

Antique 1820s European Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Tall Narrow Chest of Drawers
Tall Narrow Chest of Drawers

Tall Narrow Chest of Drawers

Located in Honiton, Devon

Great early 20th century tall narrow chest of 7 drawers, known as a semainier, drawer for each day

Category

Vintage 1910s Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Walnut

Chinese Export Tall Chest of Drawers
Chinese Export Tall Chest of Drawers

Chinese Export Tall Chest of Drawers

Located in Santa Rosa, CA

Great carved and painted tall dresser or commode on stand. Some of the drawers are divided into

Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Gold Leaf

Tall Vintage Curved Gentleman's Dresser
Tall Vintage Curved Gentleman's Dresser

Tall Vintage Curved Gentleman's Dresser

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

Handsome, Smooth and Savvy. Newly Lacquered White Gloss Five Drawer Dresser. Drawers are curved with under pull.

Category

20th Century American Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Mahogany Tall Boy, Irish, circa 1780
Mahogany Tall Boy, Irish, circa 1780

Mahogany Tall Boy, Irish, circa 1780

Located in Lincoln, GB

An extremely good colored Irish mahogany tall boy, circa 1780. Measures: Height 177 centimeters

Category

Antique 1780s Irish Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

Kittinger Tall Chest in Chocolate Brown
Kittinger Tall Chest in Chocolate Brown

Kittinger Tall Chest in Chocolate Brown

By Kittinger

Located in Little Rock, AR

Newly redone tall chest by Kittinger from their Mandarin collection in CHOCOLATE BROWN. Signature

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century American Hollywood Regency Commodes and Chests ...

Tall chest designed by George Nelson
Tall chest designed by George Nelson

Tall chest designed by George Nelson

Located in Seattle, WA

Beautiful tall chest with cabinet, designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller.

Category

Vintage 1950s American Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Robsjohn-Gibbings Brass Ring Tall Chest
Robsjohn-Gibbings Brass Ring Tall Chest

Robsjohn-Gibbings Brass Ring Tall Chest

By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings

Located in Los Angeles, CA

A Classic and chic Robsjohn-Gibbings chest.

Category

Vintage 1950s American Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Tall Industrial Blue English Workshop Drawers
Tall Industrial Blue English Workshop Drawers

Tall Industrial Blue English Workshop Drawers

Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire

This lovely vintage industrial piece would have been built and used by the workers. Sourced in the UK. Each drawer had different size nail knocked into it to show what was inside....

Category

Vintage 1930s British Industrial Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Early 19th Century Chinese Hardwood Tall Chest
Early 19th Century Chinese Hardwood Tall Chest

Early 19th Century Chinese Hardwood Tall Chest

Located in Salisbury, GB

An early 19th century Chinese hardwood 7 drawer tall chest. With display stand at top and heavily

Category

Antique 1880s Commodes and Chests of Drawers

A tall Dutch marquetry chest of drawers
A tall Dutch marquetry chest of drawers

A tall Dutch marquetry chest of drawers

Located in Miami, FL

A tall Dutch marquetry chest of drawers

Category

Antique 19th Century Dutch Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Tall Victorian Style Burr Walnut Wellington Chest
Tall Victorian Style Burr Walnut Wellington Chest

Tall Victorian Style Burr Walnut Wellington Chest

Located in Edinburgh, GB

Impressive tall burr walnut Victorian-style Wellington chest with a mirror matched burr walnut top

Category

Vintage 1920s Victorian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Walnut

Tall and Slim Victorian Mahogany Chest of Drawers
Tall and Slim Victorian Mahogany Chest of Drawers

Tall and Slim Victorian Mahogany Chest of Drawers

Located in Whaley Bridge, GB

Sn5690 Superb Victorian chest of drawer of tall and slim design, having figured mahogany top above

Category

Antique 19th Century English Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

Chippendale Chest of Drawers Tall Highboy Chest
Chippendale Chest of Drawers Tall Highboy Chest

Chippendale Chest of Drawers Tall Highboy Chest

Located in Newcastle upon Tyne, GB

An impressive tallboy chest of drawers in the Chippendale manner by Drexel. The marquetry inlay adorned drawers mounted with good handles, dovetailed jointing and solid clean inte...

Category

20th Century American Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

1960s Midcentury Vintage Tall Chest of Drawers
1960s Midcentury Vintage Tall Chest of Drawers

1960s Midcentury Vintage Tall Chest of Drawers

Located in London, GB

A gorgeous 6 drawer chest of drawers. Finished in patterned light grey Formica. With brass plate ‘droplet’ handles. A nice detail is the brass plated strip that runs around the top s...

Category

Vintage 1960s British Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

French Empire satin walnut tall chest of drawers
French Empire satin walnut tall chest of drawers

French Empire satin walnut tall chest of drawers

Located in Charlottesville, VA

French Empire satin walnut tall chest of drawers flanked by ebony Corinthian columns having a pull

Category

Antique 19th Century French Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Dark Mahogany Tall Chest with Nickel-Plated Pulls
Dark Mahogany Tall Chest with Nickel-Plated Pulls

Dark Mahogany Tall Chest with Nickel-Plated Pulls

Located in New York, NY

Refinished mahogany high chest of six drawers with bold, rectangular hardware in nickel-plated brass.

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

A Pennsylvania Chippendale Walnut Tall Chest of Drawers

A Pennsylvania Chippendale Walnut Tall Chest of Drawers

Located in New York, NY

With fluted quarter columns, five short and five long drawers.

Category

Antique 18th Century and Earlier American Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

1940's Lacquer over Mahogany Tall Chest of Drawers
1940's Lacquer over Mahogany Tall Chest of Drawers

1940's Lacquer over Mahogany Tall Chest of Drawers

Located in Southampton, NY

Glamorous "Hollywod" style tall chest of drawers with Tiffany blue interior. Dramatic newly

Category

Vintage 1940s American Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Heal & Son walnut tall chest of drawers, England circa 1920
Heal & Son walnut tall chest of drawers, England circa 1920

Heal & Son walnut tall chest of drawers, England circa 1920

By Heal's

Located in Knutsford, GB

A Heals tall chest of drawers in the Art Deco style. Walnut Of Geometric form. 3 drawers to top and

Category

Vintage 1920s European Arts and Crafts Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Walnut

Mahogany 1950s English serpentine front 'tall boy' chest of drawers
Mahogany 1950s English serpentine front 'tall boy' chest of drawers

Mahogany 1950s English serpentine front 'tall boy' chest of drawers

Located in London, GB

A vintage 1950s mahogany veneered serpentine fronted, seven drawer 'tall boy' chest of drawers on

Category

Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

W.A. Hathaway Mahogany Chest on Stand Tall Dresser
W.A. Hathaway Mahogany Chest on Stand Tall Dresser

W.A. Hathaway Mahogany Chest on Stand Tall Dresser

By W.A. Hathaway 1

Located in Atlanta, GA

This beautiful light mahogany chest on stand was made by W.A. Hathaway furniture company in New York City sometime circa 1950 in a William and Mary style. Today, it remains a gorgeou...

Category

Vintage 1950s American William and Mary Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

Tall Chest of Drawers by Paul Goldman for Plymodern
Tall Chest of Drawers by Paul Goldman for Plymodern

Tall Chest of Drawers by Paul Goldman for Plymodern

By Paul Goldman

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Early molded plywood design by Paul Goldman for Plymodern. Four generously proportioned drawers with inset handles, sitting on sleigh legs.

Category

20th Century American Commodes and Chests of Drawers

"Tall boy" chest of drawers by Kai Kristiansen, Denmark, 1960's
"Tall boy" chest of drawers by Kai Kristiansen, Denmark, 1960's

"Tall boy" chest of drawers by Kai Kristiansen, Denmark, 1960's

By Kai Kristiansen

Located in Brussels , BE

"Tall boy" Scandinavian teak chest of drawers by Kai Kristiansen. With a curved front, it opens

Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Teak

Art Deco Style Bird's-Eye Maple Five-Drawer Tall Dresser
Art Deco Style Bird's-Eye Maple Five-Drawer Tall Dresser

Art Deco Style Bird's-Eye Maple Five-Drawer Tall Dresser

Located in Hudson, NY

Beautiful Art Deco style dresser in bird's-eye maple. Round brass pulls. Mint vintage condition.

Category

Vintage 1940s American Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

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Tall Commode For Sale on 1stDibs

With a vast inventory of beautiful furniture at 1stDibs, we’ve got just the tall commode you’re looking for. Each tall commode for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using wood, metal and mahogany. If you’re shopping for a tall commode, we have 512 options in-stock, while there are 4 modern editions to choose from as well. You’ve searched high and low for the perfect tall commode — we have versions that date back to the 18th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 21st Century are available. When you’re browsing for the right tall commode, those designed in Mid-Century Modern, Victorian and Scandinavian Modern styles are of considerable interest. You’ll likely find more than one tall commode that is appealing in its simplicity, but Paul Frankl, Paul McCobb and Lane Furniture produced versions that are worth a look.

How Much is a Tall Commode?

Prices for a tall commode can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, they begin at $400 and can go as high as $180,000, while the average can fetch as much as $4,150.

Finding the Right Commodes-chests-of-drawers for You

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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