Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mid-19th Century English William IV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Mid-18th Century German Baroque Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Birch, Plywood
Early 20th Century English Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 18th Century Danish Rococo Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1960s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Teak
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Chrome
Early 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Brass
1970s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1780s Danish Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
1840s English Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
Mid-18th Century English George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
1960s Swedish Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
Early 19th Century English George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Early 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Cherry, Pine
1820s Italian Neoclassical Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Late 18th Century English Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
1950s European Gustavian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1980s Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 18th Century Scottish Georgian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
Early 19th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1960s French Louis XV Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Chrome
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Lacquer
19th Century French Other Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
1960s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
18th Century English Regency Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Leather, Mahogany
1940s American Regency Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1870s English Victorian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Early 19th Century Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Maple, Walnut
1860s Swedish Biedermeier Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Late 19th Century Danish Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1910s Danish Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
1970s Danish Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
Late 19th Century Swedish Gothic Revival Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
1880s French Renaissance Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Teak
1890s Danish Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
18th Century French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
Early 19th Century English George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
18th Century French Directoire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
18th Century English George I Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1880s French Rococo Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
19th Century Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Teak
Early 20th Century Queen Anne Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Maple
1960s American Louis XVI Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 19th Century French Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Ceramic, Oak
Late 19th Century French Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Elm
17th Century Italian Renaissance Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Early 1900s Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Late 20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Teak
Early 20th Century French Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Rattan
1960s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Teak
Antique and Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
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 and double chests — tallboys and highboys, which were essentially one chest on top of another — 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. 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.