Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Late 18th Century French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
20th Century Chippendale Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 19th Century English George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
20th Century Italian Colonial Revival Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 20th Century American Regency Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Stone, Brass
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
1910s Swedish Gustavian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
Early 20th Century Italian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1890s Swedish Gustavian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 20th Century Italian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
18th Century German Baroque Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Walnut
1940s Swedish Gustavian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Birch
1950s Swedish Gustavian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Birch
18th Century Italian Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal, Brass
Mid-19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 20th Century Italian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1950s Swedish Gustavian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
18th Century English George II Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
2010s British Organic Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Elm
19th Century Portuguese Rococo Revival Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1840s German Biedermeier Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Birch
Early 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
1820s German Biedermeier Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Cherry
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Ormolu
18th Century English Jacobean Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Hardwood, Oak, Walnut
20th Century Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
Late 19th Century Spanish Baroque Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Iron
Mid-20th Century French Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
Mid-18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
Mid-19th Century Danish Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
20th Century Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Paint
19th Century Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Hardwood
Early 20th Century Italian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Early 19th Century Italian Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Paint
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Plastic
1880s French French Provincial Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 20th Century Italian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Early 20th Century Italian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Early 1900s British Industrial Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wrought Iron
1940s Swedish Gustavian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Birch
Late 19th Century English Campaign Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1960s Dutch Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1920s Swedish Gustavian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
Early 20th Century Spanish Spanish Colonial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Ceramic, Walnut
17th Century British William and Mary Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Olive, Ash, Boxwood, Oak, Holly
1950s Swedish Gustavian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Birch
Early 1900s French Edwardian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Early 19th Century Chinese Qing Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Elm
1920s Swedish Gustavian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1840s French Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
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.