Skip to main content

White Lacquer Chest

to
30
393
72
435
28
10
169
30
24
8
5
4
3
2
1
1
1
1
12
419
38
5
244
91
1
5
37
73
90
64
3
4
286
183
117
112
33
315
304
94
39
30
468
449
459
7
7
6
6
6
Sort By
John Stuart French Regency White Lacquered Chests or Commodes, Newly Refinished
John Stuart French Regency White Lacquered Chests or Commodes, Newly Refinished

John Stuart French Regency White Lacquered Chests or Commodes, Newly Refinished

By John Stuart

Located in South Bend, IN

An outstanding pair of midcentury French Regency bachelor chests, commodes, or large bedside chests By John Stuart USA, circa 1940s White lacquered mahogany, with original b...

Category

Mid-20th Century American French Provincial Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Paul McCobb Planner Group White Lacquered Chest or Large Nightstand, Restored
Paul McCobb Planner Group White Lacquered Chest or Large Nightstand, Restored

Paul McCobb Planner Group White Lacquered Chest or Large Nightstand, Restored

By Paul McCobb, Planner Group

Located in South Bend, IN

An exceptional Mid-Century Modern bachelor chest or bedside table Designed by Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Birch and white lacquer and bra...

Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Henredon French Provincial Louis XV White Lacquered Chest of Drawers, Refinished
Henredon French Provincial Louis XV White Lacquered Chest of Drawers, Refinished

Henredon French Provincial Louis XV White Lacquered Chest of Drawers, Refinished

By Henredon

Located in South Bend, IN

An exceptional French Provincial Louis XV style three-drawer dresser chest, commode, or server By Henredon USA, circa 1960s White lacquered mahogany, with original brass har...

Category

Mid-20th Century American French Provincial Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Paul McCobb Planner Group White Lacquered Chests or Large Nightstands, Pair
Paul McCobb Planner Group White Lacquered Chests or Large Nightstands, Pair

Paul McCobb Planner Group White Lacquered Chests or Large Nightstands, Pair

By Paul McCobb, Planner Group

Located in South Bend, IN

An exceptional pair of Mid-Century Modern bachelor chests or bedside tables Designed by Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Birch and white lacqu...

Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Mosaic satin white lacquered chest by Lane
Mosaic satin white lacquered chest by Lane

Mosaic satin white lacquered chest by Lane

Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA

Satin white lacquered mosaic chest / high boy by Lane.

Category

Vintage 1970s American Wardrobes and Armoires

Italian Green and White Lacquered Chest of Drawers, Late 18th Century
Italian Green and White Lacquered Chest of Drawers, Late 18th Century

Italian Green and White Lacquered Chest of Drawers, Late 18th Century

Located in Prato, IT

Italy, Tuscany, late 18th century Green and white lacquered, faux marble top Painted fillet with beautiful leaves Dimensions: W 123 x D 62 x H 95 cm.

Category

Antique Late 18th Century Italian Louis XVI Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Poplar

Gorgeous pair of white lacquer chests by John Widdicomb
Gorgeous pair of white lacquer chests by John Widdicomb

Gorgeous pair of white lacquer chests by John Widdicomb

Located in Danville, CA

Freshly lacquered pair of 40's Louis XV style chests with original polished brass hardware and fitted glass tops by John Widdicomb.  Newly restored.

Category

Vintage 1950s American Cabinets

Materials

Brass

Art Deco White Lacquer Chest with Nickeled Pulls by Charak Modern
Art Deco White Lacquer Chest with Nickeled Pulls by Charak Modern

Art Deco White Lacquer Chest with Nickeled Pulls by Charak Modern

Located in New York, NY

It features the Fine level of craftsmanship and detail for which the furniture maker is renowned. The body of the chest has been finished in white lacquer with a raised silver leaf b...

Category

Vintage 1940s American Art Deco Dressers

Materials

Nickel

Chic Lacquered Chest of Drawers
Chic Lacquered Chest of Drawers

Chic Lacquered Chest of Drawers

Located in San Francisco, CA

Fantastic white lacquered chest of drawers with nickel plated hardware.

Category

Vintage 1950s American Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Dakota Jackson Style Lacquered Chest
Dakota Jackson Style Lacquered Chest

Dakota Jackson Style Lacquered Chest

By Dakota Jackson

Located in Stamford, CT

A fine white lacquered chest bearing label Dakota Jackson.

Category

Late 20th Century Hollywood Regency Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Custom 1940's Lacquered & Solid Brass Chest
Custom 1940's Lacquered & Solid Brass Chest

Custom 1940's Lacquered & Solid Brass Chest

Located in Phoenix, AZ

White lacquered chest of drawers with solid brass drawer pulls and legs, circa late 1940's.

Category

Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Kent Coffey White Lacquered Dresser
Kent Coffey White Lacquered Dresser

Kent Coffey White Lacquered Dresser

Located in North Miami, FL

Very stylish white lacquered chest of drawers with nickel silvered pulls and nickel silvered feet.

Category

20th Century American Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Pair of White Lacquer and Nickel Hardware Chests
Pair of White Lacquer and Nickel Hardware Chests

Pair of White Lacquer and Nickel Hardware Chests

Located in Atlanta, GA

Pair of White Lacquer Chests with Nickel Hardware by Henredon, American, circa 1960s.

Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Nickel

Tall Chest of Drawers, White and Chrome, by Roger Rougier
Tall Chest of Drawers, White and Chrome, by Roger Rougier

Tall Chest of Drawers, White and Chrome, by Roger Rougier

By Roger Rougier

Located in Kansas City, MO

Roger Rougier white lacquered chest of seven drawers / dresser with chromed steel base and pulls.

Category

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

Materials

Chrome

Mid Century Chest of Drawers
Mid Century Chest of Drawers

Mid Century Chest of Drawers

Located in Brooklyn, NY

White lacquered chest of drawers. Please confirm item location (NY or NJ) with dealer.

Category

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

Materials

Wood

Rougier Mid-Century Chest of Drawers
Rougier Mid-Century Chest of Drawers

Rougier Mid-Century Chest of Drawers

Located in Miami, FL

Clean and Chic Rougier White Lacquered Chest of Drawers with Fabulous Chrome Fixtures and Mount.

Category

Vintage 1970s Canadian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Carlo di Carli Chest of Drawers 1963
Carlo di Carli Chest of Drawers 1963

Carlo di Carli Chest of Drawers 1963

By Carlo di Carli

Located in London, GB

White lacquered chest of drawers by Carlo di Carli.

Category

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

Pair of Paul Laszlo Chests
Pair of Paul Laszlo Chests

Pair of Paul Laszlo Chests

By Paul Laszlo

Located in Westport, CT

Pair of Paul Laszlo dark walnut off-white lacquered chest of draws with dark walnut pulls, hand rubbed finish.

Category

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

Materials

Wood

Mengel Furniture Company Chest & Pair of Side Chests
Mengel Furniture Company Chest & Pair of Side Chests

Mengel Furniture Company Chest & Pair of Side Chests

Located in North Miami, FL

High gloss white lacquered chest of drawers with nickel silvered pulls.

Category

20th Century American Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Pair of  Chest of Drawers
Pair of  Chest of Drawers

Pair of Chest of Drawers

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Well design pair of American white lacquer chest of drawers. The four graduated drawers are set in a chamfered frame, with the entire case supported by a recessed pedestal.The drawer...

Category

Vintage 1960s American Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Metal

Lacquered Chest on Brass Stand
Lacquered Chest on Brass Stand

Lacquered Chest on Brass Stand

Located in Palm Desert, CA

A chic little white lacquered chest accented with an oversized brass ring handle and set atop a brass stand.

Category

Vintage 1950s American Side Tables

Materials

Brass

Pair of Lorin Jackson Chests for Grosfeld House White Lacquer Nickel Pulls
Pair of Lorin Jackson Chests for Grosfeld House White Lacquer Nickel Pulls

Pair of Lorin Jackson Chests for Grosfeld House White Lacquer Nickel Pulls

By Lorin Jackson

Located in Westport, CT

Pair of Lorin Jackson white lacquered chests Grosfeld House, white lacquer finish with nickel silver pulls.

Category

Early 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dressers

Materials

Nickel

Pair of Chests in the manner of Tommi Parzinger
Pair of Chests in the manner of Tommi Parzinger

Pair of Chests in the manner of Tommi Parzinger

Located in Atlanta, GA

Pair of White Lacquered Chests with Nickel Hardware, in the manner of Tommi Parzinger, circa 1950's.

Category

Vintage 1950s American Dressers

Pair of Eliel Saarinen Lacquered White Chests
Pair of Eliel Saarinen Lacquered White Chests

Pair of Eliel Saarinen Lacquered White Chests

Located in Wilton, CT

Mid-century pair of newly lacquered white chest of drawers with contrasting natural wood handles designed by Eliel Saarinen.

Category

Vintage 1940s Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

White Lacquered Sixteen Drawer Chest
White Lacquered Sixteen Drawer Chest

White Lacquered Sixteen Drawer Chest

Located in New York, NY

White lacquered sixteen drawer chest with nickel detail in the style of Tommi Parzinger.

Category

Vintage 1960s American Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Stunning White Lacquer & Brass Chests
Stunning White Lacquer & Brass Chests

Stunning White Lacquer & Brass Chests

Located in Phoenix, AZ

White lacquer and brass chest circa late 1950's.

Category

Vintage 1950s American Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Modern White Lacquer Bombe Chest of Drawers
Modern White Lacquer Bombe Chest of Drawers

Modern White Lacquer Bombe Chest of Drawers

Located in Astoria, NY

Modern white lacquered bombe chest with three drawers and swirling design, the gem-set silver-tone metal pulls of spiral form. 36" H x 49.5" W x 21.5" D.

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Modern White Lacquer 7-Drawer Bombe Chest
Modern White Lacquer 7-Drawer Bombe Chest

Modern White Lacquer 7-Drawer Bombe Chest

Located in Astoria, NY

Modern white lacquered wood bombe chest with seven drawers above four feet, with rhinestone inset silver-tone metal pulls.

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Jansen Directoire Style White Lacquered Tall Chest
Jansen Directoire Style White Lacquered Tall Chest

Jansen Directoire Style White Lacquered Tall Chest

Located in Dallas, TX

Lovely and elegant Jansen Directoire style white lacquered lingerie chest with superb gilt bronze swag and tassel pulls.

Category

Vintage 1940s French Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

White Lacquered Two Drawer Side Chest
White Lacquered Two Drawer Side Chest

White Lacquered Two Drawer Side Chest

Located in Miami, FL

Side chest in high gloss white lacquer with one larger and one smaller drawer.

Category

20th Century American Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Pair of White Lacquer Bachelors Chests
Pair of White Lacquer Bachelors Chests

Pair of White Lacquer Bachelors Chests

Located in Danville, CA

Beautiful pair of Mahogany Bachelor's Chests with Oriental bale pulls, freshly refinished in White Lacquer.

Category

Vintage 1950s American Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Dorothy Draper White Lacquer Espana Chest
Dorothy Draper White Lacquer Espana Chest

Dorothy Draper White Lacquer Espana Chest

Located in New York, NY

Exceptional 3 drawer chest of drawers in a high gloss white lacquer with carved and gilded drawer fronts and satin brass pulls.

Category

Vintage 1940s American Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Gold Leaf

White Lacquer Bachelors Chest with Brass Drop Pulls
White Lacquer Bachelors Chest with Brass Drop Pulls

White Lacquer Bachelors Chest with Brass Drop Pulls

By Henredon

Located in Danville, CA

Bedside Chest of Drawers in White Lacquer with Polished Brass bale pulls attributed to Dorothy Draper for Henredon.

Category

Vintage 1950s American Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

American White Lacquered Campaign Style Chest
American White Lacquered Campaign Style Chest

American White Lacquered Campaign Style Chest

Located in New York, NY

A 9-drawer American white lacquered campaign style chest with brass pulls.

Category

Vintage 1970s American Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

19th Century Black and White Lacquered Wood Italian Blanket Chest
19th Century Black and White Lacquered Wood Italian Blanket Chest

19th Century Black and White Lacquered Wood Italian Blanket Chest

Located in Catania, Sicilia

A Tuscanian blanket chest manufactured in Italy in the late 19th century, it's in original conditions and it has normal signs of use and age. The inside part it's blue painted, the w...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Italian Louis XVI Blanket Chests

Materials

Fruitwood, Lacquer

Pair of Linen White Lacquered Bachelor Chests Nightstands Dressers Vintage
Pair of Linen White Lacquered Bachelor Chests Nightstands Dressers Vintage

Pair of Linen White Lacquered Bachelor Chests Nightstands Dressers Vintage

By John Stuart

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

Newly lacquered, including inside of all drawers, in a lovely linen white, pair of bachelor chests nightstands dressers.

Category

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

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Late 19th Century Black and White Lacquered Wood Florentine Blanket Chest
Late 19th Century Black and White Lacquered Wood Florentine Blanket Chest

Late 19th Century Black and White Lacquered Wood Florentine Blanket Chest

Located in Catania, Sicilia

The inside part it's white painted, the white and black decor depicts geometrical motifs and it's suitable for modern or classic ambient.

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Italian Louis Philippe Blanket Chests

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Late 19th Century Green and White Lacquered Wood Florentine Blanket Chest
Late 19th Century Green and White Lacquered Wood Florentine Blanket Chest

Late 19th Century Green and White Lacquered Wood Florentine Blanket Chest

Located in Catania, Sicilia

The chest constructed from fir wood used in Italian furniture of that era.

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Italian Louis Philippe Blanket Chests

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Pair of Bedside Chests in White Lacquer
Pair of Bedside Chests in White Lacquer

Pair of Bedside Chests in White Lacquer

Located in Danville, CA

Pair of Bedside chests refinished in White Lacquer with polished brass flush bail pulls by John Widdicomb.

Category

Vintage 1950s American Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

White Lacquered Sculpted Paneled Chest of Drawers
White Lacquered Sculpted Paneled Chest of Drawers

White Lacquered Sculpted Paneled Chest of Drawers

Located in North Miami, FL

Fully lacquered in high gloss white, inside and out.

Category

20th Century American Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Ralph Lauren Brook Street Chest in White Lacquer
Ralph Lauren Brook Street Chest in White Lacquer

Ralph Lauren Brook Street Chest in White Lacquer

By Ralph Lauren

Located in North York, ON

A stunning design from Ralph Lauren’s Brook Street collection. This chest of drawers has all the storage and functionality you could desire presented in luxuriously appealing style. ...

Category

2010s Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Metal

A Mid 19th Century Japanese Lacquer Chest
A Mid 19th Century Japanese Lacquer Chest

A Mid 19th Century Japanese Lacquer Chest

Located in London, GB

A very fine white metal mounted black lacquer chest or box with gilt ornament, the sides mounted with elaborate carrying handles and the corners protected with white metal mounts.

Category

Antique 19th Century Japanese Aesthetic Movement Blanket Chests

Materials

Lacquer

Mid-Century Modern Henredon Newly White Lacquered Campaign Style Chest Drawers
Mid-Century Modern Henredon Newly White Lacquered Campaign Style Chest Drawers

Mid-Century Modern Henredon Newly White Lacquered Campaign Style Chest Drawers

By Henredon

Located in West Hartford, CT

Midcentury campaign chest of drawers newly lacquered in white, feature four dovetailed drawers with original recessed brass hardware.

Category

Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Mid Century Modern White Lacquer 6 Drawers High Chest
Mid Century Modern White Lacquer 6 Drawers High Chest

Mid Century Modern White Lacquer 6 Drawers High Chest

By Edmond J. Spence, Paul McCobb

Located in Rockaway, NJ

Very nice sculptured front shape Mid-Century six drawers high chest.

Category

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

Materials

Walnut

Pair of White Newly Lacquered Henredon Campaign Style Chests Dressers Commodes
Pair of White Newly Lacquered Henredon Campaign Style Chests Dressers Commodes

Pair of White Newly Lacquered Henredon Campaign Style Chests Dressers Commodes

By Henredon

Located in West Hartford, CT

Pair of vintage campaign chests of drawers newly lacquered in white, feature four dovetailed drawers with original recessed brass hardware.

Category

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

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

White lacquered Milo Baughman Chest of Drawers
White lacquered Milo Baughman Chest of Drawers

White lacquered Milo Baughman Chest of Drawers

Located in Toronto, Ontario

A great MIlo Baughman for Thayer-Coggin Chest of drawers raised on a chromed steel frame.

Category

Vintage 1960s American Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Incredible Pair of White Lacquer and Gold Leaf Bachelor's Chests
Incredible Pair of White Lacquer and Gold Leaf Bachelor's Chests

Incredible Pair of White Lacquer and Gold Leaf Bachelor's Chests

By Karl Springer, James Mont, Kelly Wearstler

Located in Houston, TX

Beautiful pair of nightstands or bachelor's chests fully restored and lacquered in white with gold leafed drawers.

Category

Vintage 1960s American Hollywood Regency Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Gold Leaf

Pair of White Lacquer Three-Drawer Bachelor Chests
Pair of White Lacquer Three-Drawer Bachelor Chests

Pair of White Lacquer Three-Drawer Bachelor Chests

By James Mont

Located in Rockaway, NJ

Pair of very nice Mid-Century Modern white lacquer three-drawer chests.  

Category

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

Edmond Spence White Lacquered Wood Chest of Drawers or Dresser
Edmond Spence White Lacquered Wood Chest of Drawers or Dresser

Edmond Spence White Lacquered Wood Chest of Drawers or Dresser

By Edmond J. Spence

Located in North Miami, FL

This dramatic and textural three-drawer small cabinet and or small dresser is so theatrical with it's design on the second drawer. The swag like design is dimensional. It is by Edm...

Category

Vintage 1950s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Lacquer, Wood

White Lacquer and Brass Studded Chest in the Manner of Tommi Parzinger
White Lacquer and Brass Studded Chest in the Manner of Tommi Parzinger

White Lacquer and Brass Studded Chest in the Manner of Tommi Parzinger

By Tommi Parzinger

Located in Atlanta, GA

White Lacquer and Brass Studded Chest in the manner of Tommi Parzinger, American, circa 1960's.

Category

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

Materials

Brass

Ethan Allen French Provincial Louis XV White Lacquered Maple Chest of Drawers
Ethan Allen French Provincial Louis XV White Lacquered Maple Chest of Drawers

Ethan Allen French Provincial Louis XV White Lacquered Maple Chest of Drawers

Located in South Bend, IN

A gorgeous French Country Louis XV style five-drawer highboy dresser or chest of drawers By Ethan Allen USA, Circa 1990s White lacquered solid maple, with natural maple top.

Category

Late 20th Century American French Provincial Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Maple, Lacquer

Mid-Century Modern Dresser/Chest, Nightstand, White Lacquer, Paul Frankl
Mid-Century Modern Dresser/Chest, Nightstand, White Lacquer, Paul Frankl

Mid-Century Modern Dresser/Chest, Nightstand, White Lacquer, Paul Frankl

By Paul Frankl

Located in Stamford, CT

Mid-Century Modern dresser/chest, white lacquer, bronze, American, 1970s A white lacquered fully refinished four drawer chest or commode in the manner of Paul Frankl.

Category

Mid-20th Century Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Dorothy Draper White and Gold Lacquer Chest / Dresser
Dorothy Draper White and Gold Lacquer Chest / Dresser

Dorothy Draper White and Gold Lacquer Chest / Dresser

Located in New York, NY

A chest of drawers/dresser designed by Dorothy Draper for Heritage. In the style of Tommi Parzinger. Features three drawers with round brass pulls.

Category

Vintage 1940s American Commodes and Chests of Drawers

John Stuart French Regency White Lacquered Dresser Chest or Commode, Refinished
John Stuart French Regency White Lacquered Dresser Chest or Commode, Refinished

John Stuart French Regency White Lacquered Dresser Chest or Commode, Refinished

By John Stuart

Located in South Bend, IN

An outstanding midcentury French Regency dresser chest or commode By John Stuart USA, circa 1940s White lacquered mahogany, with original brass hardware.

Category

Mid-20th Century American French Provincial Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Chest of Drawers in White Lacquer with Nickel Pulls
Chest of Drawers in White Lacquer with Nickel Pulls

Chest of Drawers in White Lacquer with Nickel Pulls

Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL

Chest of drawers in white lacquer, bamboo motif with nickel pulls, designed by David Barrett, American c.1980

Category

Late 20th Century American Commodes and Chests of Drawers

  • 1
Get Updated with New Arrivals
Save "White Lacquer Chest", and we’ll notify you when there are new listings in this category.

White Lacquer Chest For Sale on 1stDibs

With a vast inventory of beautiful furniture at 1stDibs, we’ve got just the white lacquer chest you’re looking for. A white lacquer chest — often made from wood, metal and brass — can elevate any home. If you’re shopping for a white lacquer chest, we have 210 options in-stock, while there are 12 modern editions to choose from as well. You’ve searched high and low for the perfect white lacquer chest — we have versions that date back to the 20th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 21st Century are available. When you’re browsing for the right white lacquer chest, those designed in Mid-Century Modern, Hollywood Regency and Modern styles are of considerable interest. Many designers have produced at least one well-made white lacquer chest over the years, but those crafted by Baker Furniture Company, Grosfeld House and Henredon are often thought to be among the most beautiful.

How Much is a White Lacquer Chest?

A white lacquer chest can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price 1stDibs is $4,500, while the lowest priced sells for $347 and the highest can go for as much as $49,000.

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.

Read More

37 Cheerful Home Bars, Where Everybody (Literally) Knows Your Name

Simple or sophisticated, equipped with console, cart or custom cabinetry, these stylish bar areas deserve a toast.

The Ultimate Guide to Types of Tables for the Home

Whether you’re just moving in or ready to give your home a makeover, our guide will give you pointers on tables that are fitting for every room, nook and hallway.

What Exactly Is a Secretary Desk, and What Is It Used For?

The furniture equivalent of a Swiss Army knife, it's the multifunctional piece you didn't know you needed.

This Shelving System with Oxidized Brass Tubes Is Retro and Futuristic at Once

Italian studio DimoreMilano mustered great ingenuity when crafting these sculptural shelves, which are built without any screws.

Ask an Interior Designer: Work-from-Home Edition

Leaping into a design project, whether it's refreshing the bedroom or redoing the whole house, can be overwhelming. Luckily, we know more than a few interior designers. You asked questions on Instagram, and now they're answering.

Collected and Eclectic, ‘Wunderkammern’ Are Back in a Big Way

Introduced nearly 500 years ago, curiosity cabinets are finding new fans among today's collectors and designers.

Meet the Incredible Woman Transforming Fallen Trees into Sleek Furniture

In the hands of New York Heartwoods cofounder Megan Offner, unwanted local trees become works of design art.

These New York Architects Love a Complicated Project

From Brooklyn townhouses to Maine campgrounds, Trattie Davies and Jonathan Toews relish a challenge, like transforming a former warehouse space into the new 1stdibs Gallery.