Commodes and Chests of Drawers
1860s English Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pottery, Mahogany
16th Century Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1920s British Georgian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Late 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
19th Century French Empire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Ormolu
Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
Early 20th Century American Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
Mid-20th Century Italian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine, Paint
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Ormolu
Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Ash, Elm, Maple
1820s French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Early 1900s French Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Paint
Late 20th Century American Regency Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Upholstery, Glass, Wood
1780s French Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Cherry
18th Century French Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
1950s British Georgian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Early 19th Century English Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
1840s Chinese Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Teak
Mid-20th Century Pakistani Victorian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Mid-19th Century Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Mahogany
1960s French Louis XV Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
20th Century American Chippendale Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1970s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Beech
Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Late 20th Century American Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1860s Danish Rococo Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
19th Century French Charles X Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1970s Italian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
1970s Spanish Hollywood Regency Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
1780s Swedish Gustavian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Mid-19th Century Swedish Empire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Birch
1990s Mexican Georgian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
18th Century French Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Early 19th Century Swedish Rococo Revival Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Ormolu
1920s French Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1980s French Provincial Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut, Paint
Early 20th Century English Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 20th Century American Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Chrome
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1870s French Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
1980s American Chippendale Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
1880s German Baroque Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut, Burl
Late 20th Century American Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pink Coral
1940s French Neoclassical Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
20th Century American Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 18th Century German Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Late 20th Century American Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Rattan
1970s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
19th Century English Regency Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 20th Century Danish Country Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 20th Century French Louis XIV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
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.