Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass, Copper
Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Cedar
Mid-20th Century Regency Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Mid-20th Century French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
Early 20th Century French Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Onyx
1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1920s British Queen Anne Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Late 19th Century Danish Country Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Ash
1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wicker, Oak
Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Teak, Walnut
1960s British Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Palisander
21st Century and Contemporary American Moorish Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
1960s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Teak
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Ash
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Teak
1960s American Georgian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 19th Century American American Classical Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 19th Century American Sheraton Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Maple
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Birch
1990s British George II Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1920s British Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Oak
Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Teak
Early 20th Century Japanese Taisho Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Cedar
1830s Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
20th Century French Provincial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 20th Century Philippine Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
Late 20th Century Baroque Revival Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Hardwood
Late 20th Century American Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
1870s Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Teak
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Teak
Late 20th Century American French Provincial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak, Pine, Paint
1870s Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary French Provincial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
Mid-19th Century English Victorian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
1950s Italian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1810s British Georgian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Late 20th Century British Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
1760s Italian Baroque Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Fruitwood, Walnut
19th Century Victorian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
Early 1800s British George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Early 20th Century Danish Country Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1950s British Georgian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bone, Wood
Early 1900s English Late Victorian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1920s British Georgian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1990s American Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1870s French Napoleon III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Cedar
Early 20th Century American Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
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.