Commodes and Chests of Drawers
1840s English Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Hardwood
20th Century Chippendale Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
19th Century Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
1880s Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Ormolu
Early 20th Century French Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Bronze
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Late 19th Century Czech Biedermeier Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Iron
Mid-18th Century English George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Ceramic, Oak
1970s German Bauhaus Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Formica, Beech
1870s British Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
19th Century Portuguese Renaissance Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Rosewood
1910s British Rustic Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Early 19th Century Italian Renaissance Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal, Brass
1960s British Scandinavian Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Teak
Early 20th Century Chinese Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Late 20th Century American Chippendale Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Paint
1920s Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
19th Century Danish Baroque Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
1890s Danish Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Mid-20th Century International Style Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Baroque Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 19th Century English George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Mid-19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
1840s European Louis Philippe Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
17th Century Italian Renaissance Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Mid-20th Century French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1820s Danish Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
Early 19th Century French French Provincial Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
1920s French Louis XVI Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
1890s Swedish Gustavian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Teak
Early 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1970s Philippine Organic Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bamboo, Mahogany, Cane
Early 18th Century Italian Baroque Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
18th Century French Directoire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 19th Century American American Colonial Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
Early 19th Century English George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Lucite, Wood, Burl
Mid-20th Century French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Maple
18th Century German Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
1930s Belgian Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Cherry
Late 19th Century British High Victorian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
18th Century English George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
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.