Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Early 20th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
20th Century Italian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1940s American Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
2010s Italian Organic Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Brass, Bronze
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
19th Century Indian Dutch Colonial Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 18th Century German Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
1930s English Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Metal, Brass, Bronze
Early 18th Century Italian Baroque Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
18th Century French Directoire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
1880s English Campaign Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
Early 2000s British Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bubinga
18th Century French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Brass, Bronze
1980s George III Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
1820s English Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Early 19th Century French Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
19th Century English Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
1920s French Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Early 1900s Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Brass
1880s English Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Hardwood
Mid-18th Century English George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Oak
1930s British Georgian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1930s British Campaign Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1970s Italian Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
1970s Italian Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1930s British Campaign Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Leather, Yew
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Teak
Late 20th Century French Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
1770s Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
1920s George III Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
1860s Victorian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
1830s American Folk Art Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Pine, Paint
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
19th Century English Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Oak
Late 19th Century American American Colonial Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Cherry
1750s Italian Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Mid-20th Century French Chinoiserie Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Bronze
Mid-18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
1990s Unknown Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
19th Century Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
Early 20th Century Swedish Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1870s British Campaign Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1890s Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
Mid-20th Century French Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Brass
1950s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
Late 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Birch
Mid-20th Century German Biedermeier Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Birch
Mid-19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1930s Swedish Gustavian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Early 19th Century American Federal Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
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.