Vintage Bombay Chest
Mid-20th Century Italian Vintage Bombay Chest
Wood, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Louis XV Vintage Bombay Chest
Marble, Bronze
Late 20th Century American French Provincial Vintage Bombay Chest
Brass
Late 20th Century American French Provincial Vintage Bombay Chest
Brass
Late 20th Century Italian Louis XV Vintage Bombay Chest
Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian Louis XV Vintage Bombay Chest
Brass
1960s American Louis XV Vintage Bombay Chest
Brass
1960s American French Provincial Vintage Bombay Chest
Brass
1960s American Louis XV Vintage Bombay Chest
Brass
Late 20th Century American Louis XV Vintage Bombay Chest
Brass
Late 20th Century Italian Louis XV Vintage Bombay Chest
Brass
1980s Italian Bohemian Vintage Bombay Chest
Brass
Late 20th Century American Louis XV Vintage Bombay Chest
Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian Louis XV Vintage Bombay Chest
Kingwood, Mahogany, Olive, Satinwood
1980s Vintage Bombay Chest
Brass
Mid-20th Century Louis XV Vintage Bombay Chest
Marble, Bronze
Mid-20th Century Louis XV Vintage Bombay Chest
Marble, Bronze
1980s American Baroque Vintage Bombay Chest
Brass
1980s American Baroque Vintage Bombay Chest
Brass
1980s American French Provincial Vintage Bombay Chest
Brass
1980s American Baroque Vintage Bombay Chest
Brass
Late 20th Century North American French Provincial Vintage Bombay Chest
Brass
Mid-20th Century French Louis XV Vintage Bombay Chest
Poplar
1980s American Louis XV Vintage Bombay Chest
Brass
1960s American Dutch Colonial Vintage Bombay Chest
Brass
1960s American Dutch Colonial Vintage Bombay Chest
Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian French Provincial Vintage Bombay Chest
Brass
Late 20th Century American Modern Vintage Bombay Chest
Marble, Copper, Steel
Late 20th Century American Louis XV Vintage Bombay Chest
Brass
Late 20th Century American French Provincial Vintage Bombay Chest
Brass
Late 20th Century Colombian Louis XV Vintage Bombay Chest
Brass
20th Century American French Provincial Vintage Bombay Chest
Wood
Mid-20th Century French Louis XV Vintage Bombay Chest
Marble, Bronze
Mid-20th Century North American Regency Vintage Bombay Chest
Walnut
1980s French Provincial Vintage Bombay Chest
Brass
1960s Italian Vintage Bombay Chest
Wood
20th Century Unknown Louis XIV Vintage Bombay Chest
Hardwood, Lacquer
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Bombay Chest
Wood
1940s North American Vintage Bombay Chest
Wood
1990s English Régence Vintage Bombay Chest
Bronze
20th Century American French Provincial Vintage Bombay Chest
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Hollywood Regency Vintage Bombay Chest
Wood, Giltwood
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Bombay Chest
Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian Louis XV Vintage Bombay Chest
Fruitwood
Late 20th Century American Louis XV Vintage Bombay Chest
Brass
Late 20th Century American Louis XV Vintage Bombay Chest
Brass
20th Century Unknown Louis XV Vintage Bombay Chest
Mahogany
Late 20th Century American Louis XV Vintage Bombay Chest
Brass
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Vintage Bombay Chest
Satinwood
Mid-20th Century North American Louis XV Vintage Bombay Chest
Brass
Mid-20th Century Louis XV Vintage Bombay Chest
Wood
1940s American Louis XV Vintage Bombay Chest
Marble, Brass
1960s American Louis XV Vintage Bombay Chest
Brass
1940s American French Provincial Vintage Bombay Chest
Marble, Brass
Mid-20th Century American French Provincial Vintage Bombay Chest
Brass
1940s American French Provincial Vintage Bombay Chest
Marble, Brass
20th Century American Chippendale Vintage Bombay Chest
Brass
20th Century American Rococo Vintage Bombay Chest
Metal
Late 20th Century French Provincial Vintage Bombay Chest
Wood
20th Century French Louis XV Vintage Bombay Chest
Marble
- 1
Vintage Bombay Chest For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Vintage Bombay Chest?
Finding the Right commodes-chests-of-drawers for You
Is it a commode or a chest of drawers?
Commode is the French term for a low chest of drawers, but it is also sometimes used to denote a piece with a particularly intricate design. The commode dates to circa 1700 France, where it was used as an alternative to a taller cabinet piece so as to not obscure paneled, mirrored or tapestried walls. Coffers, or chests, which were large wooden boxes with hinged lids and sometimes stood on ball feet, preceded chests of drawers, a fashionable cabinet furnishing that garnered acclaim for its obvious storage potential and versatility.
As time passed, French and British furniture makers led the way in the production of chests of drawers, and features like the integration of bronze and ornamental pulls became commonplace. Antique French commodes in the Louis XV style were sometimes crafted in mahogany or walnut, while an Italian marble top added a sophisticated decorative flourish. This specific type of case piece grew in popularity in the years that followed.
So, what makes a chest of drawers different from a common dresser? Dressers are short, and chests of drawers are overall taller pieces of furniture that typically do not have room on the top for a mirror as most dressers do. Tallboys and highboys are variations of the dresser form. Some chests of drawers have one column of four to six long drawers or three long drawers in their bottom section that are topped by a cluster of small side-by-side drawers on the top. To further complicate things, we sometimes refer to particularly short chests of drawers as nightstands.
Even though chests of drawers are commonly thought of as bedroom furniture to store clothing, these are adaptable pieces. A chest of drawers can house important documents — think of your walnut Art Deco commode as an upgrade to your filing cabinet. Nestle your chest near your home’s front door to store coats and other outerwear, while the top can be a place to drop your handbag. Add some flair to your kitchen, where this lovable case piece can hold pots, pans and even cookbooks.
When shopping for the right chest of drawers for your home, there are a few key things to consider: What will you be storing in it? How big a chest will you need?
Speaking of size, don’t dream too big. If your space is on the smaller side, a more streamlined vintage mid-century modern chest of drawers, perhaps one designed by Paul McCobb or T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, may best suit your needs.
At 1stDibs, we make it easy to add style and storage to your home. Browse our collection of antique and vintage commodes and chests of drawers today.
- What is a Bombay chest?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021A Bombay chest is a piece of wooden furniture — a chest that bulges outward in the front and on the sides and then curves in at the base. This style of chest was popularized in 17th century French design.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Bombay chests originated in France during the 18th century. Their name is actually a misspelling of the real name for the furniture, the bombe chest. Bombé is the French word for curved, and describes the wavy lines of the chests. You'll find a selection of Bombay chests on 1stDibs.
- Why is it called a Bombay chest?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022The chest of drawers with a curvy frame is called a Bombay chest due to a misunderstanding about its name. Its proper name is "bombe" which is correctly pronounced similarly to the word "bomb." However, some people say "bom-BAY." This has led to confusion over how the name of the chest is actually spelled. Find a selection of bombe chests on 1stDibs.
- What are Bombay chests used for?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Bombay chests are also called bombe chests and are a chest of drawers that feature a distinctive curved or bowed shape. The term bombe is French for a curved piece of furniture, meaning bomb-shaped. This shape of chest originated in the early 1700s in an attempt to soften the lines of furniture and create a more comfortable and casual look. Shop a collection of Bombay chests from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
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