Commodes and Chests of Drawers
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Mid-20th Century International Style Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1890s Danish Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
19th Century Danish Baroque Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Teak
Early 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Fruitwood
Mid-20th Century French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Early 19th Century Danish Empire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Elm
1820s Danish Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
Early 19th Century Italian Empire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Bronze
18th Century German Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
1890s Swedish Gustavian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
1920s French Louis XVI Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
18th Century French Directoire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Mid-18th Century English George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
Early 1900s French Directoire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Carrara Marble, Brass
1920s French Louis XVI Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Carrara Marble, Bronze
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Steel
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 18th Century Italian Baroque Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Mid-20th Century French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
Late 19th Century American American Colonial Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Rosewood
19th Century Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
20th Century British Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mirror, Oak, Teak
Early 19th Century English George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1870s British Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 19th Century British High Victorian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 19th Century American Sheraton Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Early 20th Century French Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Bronze
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
18th Century English George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Late 19th Century Italian Neoclassical Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
2010s Italian Other Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Art Glass, Mirror, Murano Glass
1940s Swedish Gustavian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Birch
Late 20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Teak
21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak, Walnut
1780s German Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
2010s Spanish Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1910s Swedish Gustavian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
Mid-19th Century European Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Plastic
2010s Turkish Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Lucite, Wood, Burl
1950s Italian Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Plastic
1950s Swedish Gustavian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Late 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal, Brass
19th Century English Campaign Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
19th Century French Campaign Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1840s English Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Hardwood
1970s Philippine Organic Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bamboo, Mahogany, Cane
1950s Swedish Gustavian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Birch
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.