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Commodes and Chests of Drawers

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Commodes and Chests of Drawers For Sale
Creator: Herman Miller
Creator: Robert W. Irwin Co.
George Nelson Thin Edge Double Dresser, Chest, Santos Palisander, Herman Miller
Located in Brooklyn, NY
George Nelson thin edge double dresser, chest, Santos Palisander, Herman Miller. In 1944, Life magazine published an extensive article...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Palisander

Early 20th Century Inlaid Herman Miller Chest of Drawers Dresser Commode
Located in Long Branch, NJ
Early 20th Century Inlaid Herman Miller Chest of Drawers Dresser Commode Dimensions : 52" Wide X 20" Deep X 43" Tall This gorgeous chest was made by Herman Miller in the early 20th...
Category

1920s American Louis XVI Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Satinwood

GEORGE NELSON THIN EDGE CHEST / Cabinet for HERMAN MILLER. Classic Modernist
Located in Buffalo, NY
Nice early George Nelson 'Thin Edge' chest of drawers with classic aluminum pulls and walnut or mahogany veneer. Divided drawers,,, Produced in the 1950s & 1960s by Herman Miller, ...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Aluminum

Steel Frame Dresser by George Nelson Associates (Yellow)
Located in 성동구, KR
Offered For Sale Is A Pair Of Circa 1950'S Mid-Century Modern Three-Drawer Chests From The Steel Frame Series By George Nelson For Herman Miller. These Brightly Colored Chests Are Pa...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Pair of George Nelson for Herman Miller Chest of Drawers
Located in London, GB
Made in the United States in middle of the 20th century, this pair of chests are a design classic by George Nelson for Herman Miller. One has three drawers and the other four - ple...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Metal

Two "Thin Edge" Chest by George Nelson
Located in Denton, TX
"Thin Edge" chest of drawers by George Nelson for Herman Miller. These make nice nightstands Measures: cabinet 1. 19.5" deep by 34" wide by 33.25" high cabinet 2. 19.5" Deep by 24...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Aluminum

Thin Edge Walnut Dresser with Cabinet by George Nelson for Herman Miller
Located in Dorchester, MA
This gorgeous dresser is part of George Nelson's 1950s Thin Edge collection for Herman Miller, which takes its name from the elegant, slim profile. Tapered trestle legs elevate the w...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Aluminum

Midcentury George Nelson Three Drawer Cabinet for Herman Miller
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Gorgeous BCS chest of drawers in original brown ash designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller. This is a very early version with plated metal pulls not aluminum and unusual finished back. This versatile unit is a perfect small dresser, nightstand, or end table. George Nelson, Alexander Girard, and Charles and Ray Eames headed the Herman Miller department for many ground breaking...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Walnut

George Nelson for Herman Miller Walnut Chest of Drawers
Located in Dallas, TX
This is a 4 drawer chest in walnut with cast metal pulls, black lacquered angular legs and cast aluminum finger pulls. Top drawer has removable dividers. Designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller, manufactured in Michigan...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Aluminum

Pair George Nelson Thin Edge Rosewood Chests
Located in New York, NY
Pair of George Nelson thin edge chests or nightstands. The items are rosewood veneer with four pull-out drawers and metal legs.
Category

1950s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Metal

George Nelson for Herman Miller Chest in Walnut with Shelving
Located in Dallas, TX
This is a rare 3 drawer chest with shelving compartment. Walnut with cast metal pulls that we have painted black, with black lacquered angular legs. Designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller, manufactured in Michigan...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Aluminum

ROBERT W IRVIN CO French Provincial Walnut Chest of Five Drawers
Located in Charlotte, NC
A French Provincial style chest by Robert W Irwin Co of Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA. Made in the early 20th century of solid walnut with brass hardware and faux keyhole escutcheons. Features five dovetail drawers, top drawer with built in jewelry organizer...
Category

Early 20th Century American French Provincial Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Walnut

George Nelson for Herman Miller Walnut Chest of Drawers, 1950s
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional mid-century modern five-drawer dresser chest By George Nelson for Herman Miller, "Basic Cabinet ...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Aluminum

George Nelson Chest or End Table or Night Stand
Located in Atlanta, GA
Clean lined mid century modern chest, designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller, American. circa 1950s. This piece is a versatile size and can be used as a small chest, end table, ...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Metal

George Nelson Credenza or Chest
Located in Atlanta, GA
Clean lined Mid-Century Modern credenza or chest, designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller, American. circa 1950s. This piece is a versatile size and can be used as a credenza, ba...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Metal

Antique Robert W Irwin Louis XV French Walnut Chest of Drawers Tallboy Dresser
Located in Dayton, OH
"A lovely chest of drawers or dresser by Robert W. Irwin Furniture Company. Crafted from French Walnut in Louis XV styling. Features a rectangular form with burled walnut front, four drawers, cabriole legs and ormolu mounts. Circa 1928-1940 At the ripe age of 23 Robert Irwin rose from office clerk to plant superintendent of the Grand Rapids School Furniture Co. In 1900 he and some associates purchases Royal Furniture Co, and later it transferred to his very own label in Irwin. Irwin specialized in high end reproductions based off of European and ancient American...
Category

1930s Louis XV Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Satinwood

Four Drawer Thin Edge Dresser / Chest of Drawers in Rosewood by George Nelson
Located in Kansas City, MO
George Nelson Thin Edge cabinet in Brazilian Rosewood, manufactured by Herman Miller. Signed with the early round Herman Miller medallion. Very good original condition. Very few sign...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Porcelain, Rosewood

Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Herman Miller 5 Drawer Chest Dresser Restored
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Herman Miller 5 drawer chest dresser restored.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Walnut

Rare Pair Gilbert Rohde #3770 Six-Drawer Dressers
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This rare design for Herman Miller features a curved case in opulent tropical wood veneer with sold hardwood handles, in a masculine streamlined design, with the surprising addition ...
Category

1930s American Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Stainless Steel

Gilbert Rohde 4140 Dresser for Herman Miller 3 Available
Located in Hanover, MA
We have a total of three available of these beautifully refinished mahogany chests of three drawers by Gilbert Rohde for Herman Miller's 4140 collection with original off-white "leather cloth" (Fabrikoid) padded drawers. Top drawer is fitted with vide poche sliding and removable tray and has original label. See pages from original 1941 Herman Miller catalog...
Category

1940s American Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Faux Leather, Mahogany

Gilbert Rohde 4140 Tall Chest for Herman Miller
Located in Hanover, MA
Beautifully refinished mahogany tall boy chest of four drawers by Gilbert Rohde for Herman Miller's 4140 collection with original off-white "leather cloth" (Fabrikoid) padded drawers. Top drawer is fitted with vide poche sliding and removable tray. See pages from original 1941 Herman Miller catalog...
Category

1940s American Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Faux Leather, Mahogany

Md-Century Modern George Nelson Lingerie Chest
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This stunning vintage modern lingerie chest features sculpted round pulls with ebonized fronts on each drawer. This stylish five-drawer chest offers plenty of room for storage within...
Category

1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Metal

Modern Herman Miller Rosewood Thin Edge Eight-Drawer Chest George Nelson Design
Located in Toledo, OH
Mid-Century Modern Herman Miller thin edge eight-drawer chest designed by George Nelson design. Thin edge figured rosewood case. Sculptural aluminum legs. White stylized porcelain dr...
Category

Mid-20th Century North American Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Rosewood

Gilbert Rohde Paldao Cabinet for Herman Miller
Located in Hanover, MA
Gilbert Rohde designed this chest for Herman Miller as part of his 1941 Paldao Line of streamline modernist and modular furniture in exotic veneer. This is model no. 4103, two-door cabinet with distinctively incised large round pulls, interior fitted with two adjustable shelves behind the left door and five pull-out drawers behind the right door, fronts finished in black enamel. The case top and sides are Paldao wood; the doors are in highly figured burl Acacia. The finish is called "Beaver" which is natural color, no stain, satin varnish. The back is numbered "4130." All of Rohde's designs for Herman Miller are marked with a 4-digit number; the first two numbers indicate the year, and the second two numbers indicate the individual piece. Newly refinished and ready to place in your home. The Herman Miller Furniture Company was devoted to manufacturing period reproduction furniture until Pioneer industrial designer Gilbert Rohde walked into their Grand Rapids showroom in 1930. A devout modernist, Rohde convinced D.J. De Pree to focus on modern furniture throughout the 1930s, and to produce exclusively modern furniture by the time Rohde died in 1944. Work by the pioneering American industrial and furniture designer, Gilbert Rohde, is notable for its thoroughly modern, informal, and multifunctional qualities. Rohde’s ability to create appealing modernist furnishings for middle-class homes, while also devising merchandising strategies to sell these goods, places him within a unique framework in American design history. Born and raised in New York, Rohde was the son of a cabinetmaker. He attended New York City public schools and his post-high school education included courses at the Art Students League and the Grand Central School of Art. Rohde’s visit to Europe in the spring and summer of 1927 (with later trips in 1931 and 1937) to see the Bauhaus in Dessau and the French modernist design that debuted in the 1925 Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes in Paris, profoundly inspired his concept of design and the role it should play in daily life. The French Art Deco and German rationalist styles he saw in Europe influenced the furniture he designed from the late 1920s into the 1940s, pieces he created to suit a rapidly changing American lifestyle. In addition to his work for Herman Miller Inc., Rohde also designed for several other furniture firms, including Thonet, Troy Sunshade, and Heywood-Wakefield. What set Rohde apart from his contemporaries was his all-encompassing understanding of the furniture industry, from design and production to marketing and showroom display.[1] During his time with Herman Miller Inc. (1932-1944), Rohde set the standard for collaborative efforts between designers and furniture firms, with George Nelson and Charles and Ray Eames later...
Category

1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

Pair of George Nelson for Herman Miller Bureau /Cabinets
Located in Westport, CT
Pair of George Nelson for Herman Miller bureau cabinet storage units, polished handles light colored birch with and black feet.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Metal, Chrome

George Nelson Walnut One-Door 5 Drawers Gentleman's High Chest Dresser Cabinet
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern walnut George Nelson for Herman Miller Storage five drawers cabinet dresser gentleman's high chest.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Walnut

1930s Art Deco Brazilian Rosewood Chest Designed by Gilbert Rohde
Located in Buffalo, NY
1930s Art Deco Brazilian rosewood chest designed by Gilbert Rohde. Amazing quality and design, slightly bowed front design, five drawers behin...
Category

1930s American Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Nickel

George Nelson Chest for Herman Miller Model 5517 Commode Sideboard 1952
Located in Telgte, DE
George Nelson vertical chest of drawers commode for Herman Miller model 5517 sideboard 1952 The solid wood Nelson miniature chest, inspired by J...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Metal, Aluminum

Pair of Chest of Drawers by Gilbert Rohde for Herman Miller
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A pair of three drawer chests, designed by Gilbert Rohde for Herman Miller in the the 1930's. Bleached mahogany cabinets with original padded naugahyde drawer fronts. Great detailing...
Category

20th Century American Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany, Naugahyde

Chest of Drawers by George Nelson
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An elegantly simple rectilinear chest of drawers in bleached ash with gracefully curved steel pulls, which floats on squared low wooden legs.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Steel

1st Generation Eames ESU 270-N Storage Unit / Cabinet w/ Drawers
Located in Oakland, CA
1st Generation Eames ESU (Eames Storage Unit) this is called the 270-N series. It's constructed of birch, plywood, lacquer and steel and has three pull drawers with a bottom shelf. T...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Metal

Thin Edge Walnut Five-Drawer Dresser by George Nelson for Herman Miller
Located in Dorchester, MA
This gorgeous dresser is part of George Nelson's 1950s Thin Edge collection for Herman Miller, which takes its name from the elegant, slim profile. Tapered trestle legs elevate the w...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Aluminum

Antique Robert W Irwin Louis XVI Satinwood Tallboy Dresser Chest of Drawers
Located in Dayton, OH
"An exquisite tallboy dresser or chest of drawers by Robert W. Irwin Furniture Company. Circa 1928-1940. Crafted from satinwood featuring a rectangular form with six drawers, rounded fluted stiles, neoclassical hardware, and turned tapered arrow feet. At the ripe age of 23 Robert Irwin rose from office clerk to plant superintendent of the Grand Rapids School Furniture Co. In 1900 he and some associates purchases Royal Furniture Co, and later it transferred to his very own label in Irwin. Irwin specialized in high end reproductions based off of European and ancient American...
Category

1930s Louis XVI Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Satinwood

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.

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