Commodes and Chests of Drawers
2010s Spanish Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Iron
Mid-19th Century English Campaign Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Kingwood
Late 19th Century French French Provincial Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Chestnut
Mid-19th Century English Victorian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Teak
1780s English George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1820s German Neoclassical Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
1960s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
1950s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 19th Century British Regency Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Early 1900s British Victorian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 19th Century English George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
1950s European Gustavian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1890s Italian Baroque Revival Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
Late 19th Century Irish Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
18th Century French Rococo Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1910s French Louis XVI Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Kingwood, Mahogany, Olive, Satinwood
18th Century American Chippendale Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Mid-19th Century European Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Mahogany
1940s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass, Gold Leaf
19th Century French Empire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
1840s Danish Empire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Teak
Late 19th Century French Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Ormolu
Late 20th Century Queen Anne Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
19th Century Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
1940s Italian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Kingwood
2010s French Louis Philippe Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Oak, Cherry
Early 19th Century English Chinoiserie Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1890s English Campaign Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Burl, Mirror
2010s Turkish Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
2010s Brazilian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Teak
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Country Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1860s British Victorian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary American Minimalist Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Maple, Burl
Mid-20th Century French Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Rustic Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1690s Irish William and Mary Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Holly, Oak, Ebony, Bone
1760s English George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Chrome, Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Crystal, Bronze, Iron
1940s American Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
2010s Mexican Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Plywood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1760s English George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Chrome, Steel
2010s Czech Post-Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Mahogany
Mid-19th Century English Victorian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
1920s French Louis XVI Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
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.