Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Late 19th Century Italian Baroque Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Brass
1960s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
Mid-20th Century American Adam Style Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Cherry
1930s Belgian Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Cherry
Late 19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
18th Century English George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Glass, Teak
1980s American Louis XV Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Brass
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Lacquer, Plywood, Walnut
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Rosewood
2010s German Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
Mid-20th Century American Chippendale Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Maple
1930s Swedish Gustavian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
19th Century Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal, Chrome
Mid-18th Century English George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Regency Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 20th Century American Chippendale Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Aluminum
1890s Spanish Baroque Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Iron
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Maple
Late 20th Century Dutch Dutch Colonial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Rosewood
Late 19th Century French Regency Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Chippendale Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 18th Century French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Brass
Early 19th Century Swiss Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1790s French Directoire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
18th Century Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
Early 1900s French Edwardian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Mid-19th Century American American Colonial Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Hardwood, Pine
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
Late 18th Century English Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
1950s Swedish Gustavian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
19th Century Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Kingwood, Satinwood
17th Century Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
19th Century English Country Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
Late 18th Century European Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak, Poplar
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
18th Century Portuguese Renaissance Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 19th Century French Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut, Burl
1760s German Baroque Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
19th Century European Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Brass
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Paint
19th Century Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Satinwood
17th Century Spanish Rustic Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Chestnut
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Scandinavian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal, Brass
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Leather
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Teak
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.