Commodes and Chests of Drawers
18th Century Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Cedar
19th Century Austrian Rococo Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1940s Japanese Showa Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass, Iron
19th Century Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary German Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Mid-18th Century English Chippendale Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
1870s English Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
1870s English Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
1860s English Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1860s Victorian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Birch
19th Century Swedish Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
18th Century British Georgian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
1930s British Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
20th Century Unknown William and Mary Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1780s English George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
19th Century English Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Early 1900s Revival Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
1860s Victorian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
1780s German Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Cherry, Elm
1880s British Late Victorian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1920s Swedish Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Birch
1740s Italian Baroque Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Early 1700s Italian Baroque Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
19th Century Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Late 19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
1930s British Campaign Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1890s Austrian Biedermeier Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1840s French Louis Philippe Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Early 1900s Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1780s French Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Ash, Burl
1950s French Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
19th Century French Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
1890s Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Early 19th Century Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
Late 19th Century Italian Renaissance Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Hardwood, Paint
17th Century British William and Mary Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Ash, Boxwood, Oak, Olive, Holly
Early 1800s Italian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
1970s French Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1970s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Leather, Maple
1970s French Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Elm
Early 2000s Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Nickel, Silver Leaf
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Carrara Marble
18th Century French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Metal, Brass, Bronze
1950s British Georgian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1950s American Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1990s French Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Lizard
Late 20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Walnut
Mid-20th Century English Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
Mid-19th Century French Mid-Century Modern Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Elm
Antique and Vintage Chests of Drawers and Commodes for Sale: Find Art Deco Commodes and Mid-Century Modern Chests of Drawers on 1stDibs
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.