Commodes and Chests of Drawers
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
2010s Italian Post-Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 18th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Iron
1920s French Louis XV Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Carrara Marble, Bronze
Early 20th Century Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Early 19th Century French Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
19th Century French Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
18th Century French Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Late 19th Century British Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
1940s Italian Louis XV Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
19th Century English Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
19th Century Scottish Rustic Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Early 1900s Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
18th Century French Regency Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Breccia Marble, Bronze
Mid-18th Century English Georgian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Teak
2010s Indian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Early 18th Century Italian Baroque Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Nutwood
20th Century Italian Adam Style Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
1960s Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
20th Century English Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
19th Century Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
1950s Argentine Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1950s Argentine Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
1940s French Directoire Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
1930s Italian Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1950s French Louis XV Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Bronze
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany, Maple, Burl
20th Century Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
Mid-20th Century Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Bronze
Early 1900s Swedish Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Paint
20th Century American Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1930s American Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
1890s British George I Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Early 1900s French Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Walnut
Mid-18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Late 18th Century French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Bronze
Mid-19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Brass
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
19th Century European Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut, Burl
Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
19th Century Italian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany, Walnut
Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
1870s English Victorian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Teak
18th Century Irish Georgian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 20th Century American Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
Antique and Vintage Chests of Drawers and Commodes for Sale on 1stDibs
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.