Commodes and Chests of Drawers
1950s Swedish Gustavian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
19th Century French Victorian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Other
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
Late 20th Century Regency Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Maple
18th Century Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
1980s American Louis XV Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Brass
1970s Italian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Late 18th Century European Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak, Poplar
Late 19th Century French Regency Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
20th Century English Victorian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Yew
19th Century European Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Brass
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Rosewood
Late 18th Century English Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Late 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine, Paint
Early 19th Century Swiss Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Late 18th Century French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Brass
19th Century Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Satinwood
Late 19th Century French Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut, Burl
17th Century Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
18th Century Portuguese Renaissance Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Leather
20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Rattan
Late 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Scandinavian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal, Brass
Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Walnut
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Chrome
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Scandinavian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal, Brass
1960s French Hollywood Regency Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1760s German Baroque Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Mid-20th Century American Chippendale Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Cherry
Late 20th Century English George III Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Teak
Late 18th Century Unknown George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Late 20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
19th Century English Country Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 18th Century Austrian Baroque Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1720s French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Beech, Poplar
1930s Swedish Gustavian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Muslin, Wood
Mid-20th Century Swedish Rococo Revival Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1980s Italian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Early 20th Century French Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
Early 20th Century Unknown Hollywood Regency Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
19th Century Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1930s Swedish Gustavian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Teak
1910s French Art Nouveau Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Bronze
19th Century English George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Early 20th Century Spanish Baroque Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Iron
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Aluminum
19th Century European Biedermeier Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Hardwood
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.