Commodes and Chests of Drawers
1950s European Gustavian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1950s European Gustavian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1930s Italian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Lacquer
18th Century Georgian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
1950s European Gustavian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1820s French Louis Philippe Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Early 19th Century English Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Late 18th Century Italian Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Carrara Marble, Siena Marble
Early 19th Century American Federal Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Chrome
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Leather, Wood
1970s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Late 19th Century Spanish Baroque Revival Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Iron
1780s English George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Mid-20th Century North American Regency Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
1950s European Gustavian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Teak
Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Oak, Plywood
Early 1900s Italian Art Nouveau Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1940s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass, Gold Leaf
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Birch, Plywood
21st Century and Contemporary Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Ash
19th Century German Empire Revival Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
2010s Spanish Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1850s German Gustavian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Ash
19th Century English Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
1970s Unknown Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 19th Century British Folk Art Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mirror, Pine, Paint
Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Beech, Plywood
19th Century English Victorian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Other
2010s Spanish Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Iron
Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Bronze
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Mid-19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal, Bronze
Early 20th Century English Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Brass
1960s American Louis XV Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
20th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
Late 19th Century French Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Ormolu
Late 20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Plywood
Mid-20th Century Italian Baroque Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Mid-19th Century European Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary American Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak, Wood, Walnut
Early 1800s British Georgian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1910s Danish Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
1970s American Organic Modern 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.