Commodes and Chests of Drawers
18th Century Danish Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Fruitwood, Pine
1790s French Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Bronze
1820s Chinese Campaign Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Hardwood
18th Century English Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Mid-18th Century English Chippendale Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Paint, Lacquer, Walnut, Wood, Formica
1760s British George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Early 18th Century Italian Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Faux Leather, Wood
Mid-20th Century Hollywood Regency Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Giltwood
1950s French Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1950s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Mid-18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Gold Leaf
18th Century Italian Rococo Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Hardwood
Mid-18th Century Swedish Baroque Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
18th Century French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
20th Century American Chippendale Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Early 1900s English Adam Style Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Satinwood
1730s English George II Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 20th Century Czech Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Lacquer, Cherry, Mirror, Wood
Early 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Ash, Maple
1920s British William and Mary Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Hardwood
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Regency Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
19th Century French Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
Mid-18th Century Swedish Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
19th Century Charles X Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Metal, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Late 18th Century American Chippendale Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
19th Century French Regency Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Bronze
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1970s Philippine Organic Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bamboo, Cane, Mahogany
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Rosewood
1940s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Burl, Mahogany
19th Century Italian Directoire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Mid-20th Century English Edwardian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Poplar
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Steel, Metal
20th Century English Victorian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Hardwood
Late 20th Century American French Provincial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 20th Century American Chippendale Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1980s Philippine Organic Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bamboo, Cane
Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
1950s Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
Early 19th Century Swedish Country Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
Mid-20th Century Czech Scandinavian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Beech, Plywood
21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass, Iron
Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
1770s English Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1770s British Georgian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
Early 20th Century English Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Early 19th Century American Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
18th Century Italian Neoclassical Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
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.