Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Early 19th Century Biedermeier Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Cedar
Late 19th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Straw, Beech
19th Century Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Beech, Pine
19th Century Danish Art Deco Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
1740s German Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Ivory, Tapestry, Walnut
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bamboo
Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
18th Century British Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Kingwood
Late 19th Century American Empire Revival Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Glass, Mahogany, Maple
Early 20th Century French Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Onyx
1960s American Campaign Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
19th Century French Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wicker, Oak
1830s British Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Mid-19th Century English Victorian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Mid-18th Century English Georgian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
1920s British Queen Anne Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
19th Century Belgian Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Paint
Late 19th Century Danish Country Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1960s British Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Palisander
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
Mid-19th Century English Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Teak, Walnut
1930s French Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Ormolu
1930s Italian Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
19th Century Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Late 18th Century English George II Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 19th Century English Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Teak
1790s British Georgian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany, Alligator
1960s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
1890s French Louis Philippe Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Early 20th Century Italian Rococo Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Bronze
Mid-19th Century English Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1810s German Biedermeier Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut, Yew
Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Teak
1970s American Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 19th Century French Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Elm
Late 19th Century American American Classical Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 18th Century Italian Louis XIV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Nutwood
19th Century English Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Other
Early 1800s European Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
1720s Italian Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
19th Century English William and Mary Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
1950s Italian Louis XV Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Early 19th Century European Empire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Stone, Bronze
18th Century Italian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
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.