Vintage Commodes
20th Century French Art Deco Vintage Commodes
Wood, Acrylic, Mirror
1960s English Vintage Commodes
Pine
Late 20th Century French Vintage Commodes
Marble
20th Century French Louis XV Vintage Commodes
Wood
1990s American Vintage Commodes
Wood
1980s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes
Wood
1980s French Streamlined Moderne Vintage Commodes
Wood
Late 20th Century European Louis XVI Vintage Commodes
Marble, Bronze
1980s French Provincial Vintage Commodes
Brass
20th Century French Vintage Commodes
Kingwood
20th Century American Modern Vintage Commodes
Metal, Silver
1960s American Vintage Commodes
Brass
1950s European Vintage Commodes
Wood, Parchment Paper
1940s American Vintage Commodes
Brass
1960s Italian Vintage Commodes
Bronze
20th Century Vintage Commodes
Marble
20th Century Italian Vintage Commodes
Wood
1960s Romanian Louis XV Vintage Commodes
Marble, Bronze
Mid-20th Century Italian Vintage Commodes
Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian Hollywood Regency Vintage Commodes
Marble, Brass
20th Century Vintage Commodes
Wood
1940s French Art Deco Vintage Commodes
Metal
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes
Rosewood
20th Century American French Provincial Vintage Commodes
Brass
20th Century French Regency Vintage Commodes
Kingwood
1960s American Vintage Commodes
Silver Leaf
1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes
Wood
1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes
Wood
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Commodes
Macassar
1990s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Commodes
Wood
20th Century French Art Deco Vintage Commodes
Marble
20th Century French Louis XV Vintage Commodes
Wood, Paint
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes
Metal, Brass
Late 20th Century Moorish Vintage Commodes
Mother-of-Pearl, Wood
Late 20th Century French Louis XV Vintage Commodes
Brass
1990s French Art Deco Vintage Commodes
Bronze
20th Century Baroque Vintage Commodes
Wood, Spruce
20th Century French Louis XV Vintage Commodes
Marble
20th Century Baroque Vintage Commodes
Wood, Spruce
20th Century French Baroque Vintage Commodes
Beech
Mid-20th Century French Louis XV Vintage Commodes
Bronze
20th Century Louis XV Vintage Commodes
Wood
Mid-20th Century French Country Vintage Commodes
Brass
1970s Italian Hollywood Regency Vintage Commodes
Wood
20th Century American Mission Vintage Commodes
Wicker
20th Century Vintage Commodes
Wood
Mid-20th Century French French Provincial Vintage Commodes
Hardwood
1950s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes
Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian Vintage Commodes
Walnut
Mid-20th Century French Louis XV Vintage Commodes
Brass
1950s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes
Brass
Mid-20th Century American French Provincial Vintage Commodes
Wood, Paint
Mid-20th Century French Louis XV Vintage Commodes
Marble
1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Commodes
Pine
Mid-20th Century French Louis XVI Vintage Commodes
Wood
1930s Swedish Art Deco Vintage Commodes
Oak
1980s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes
Brass, Chrome
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes
Brass
20th Century French Vintage Commodes
Wood
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes
Rattan
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Vintage Commodes For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are Vintage Commodes?
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.
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