Commodes and Chests of Drawers
19th Century Louis Philippe Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
Early 19th Century British Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
17th Century British Charles II Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
19th Century English William IV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
18th Century Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Mid-19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass, Iron
18th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
19th Century French Empire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
1820s Belgian Empire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Carrara Marble, Brass
Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Ormolu
Mid-19th Century Italian Neoclassical Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Cherry, Pearwood
19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Cedar
18th Century Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
17th Century Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
Early 19th Century European Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Late 19th Century Swedish Victorian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine, Paint
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Early 18th Century French Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Brass
19th Century French French Provincial Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
19th Century Italian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1860s French Napoleon III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1890s British Queen Anne Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
19th Century European Empire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Bronze
Early 19th Century European Empire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Bronze
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Ormolu
19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Carrara Marble
19th Century German Neoclassical Revival Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Iron
1720s French Régence Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Fruitwood, Oak
1770s French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
18th Century European Chinoiserie Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Early 18th Century French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1830s Italian Neoclassical Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
Mid-18th Century Danish Rococo Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 19th Century Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
Late 18th Century Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
19th Century French Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Ormolu
1840s Danish Empire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
19th Century Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Brass, Bronze
18th Century Italian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1830s French Louis Philippe Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Mid-18th Century English George II Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
19th Century British Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
18th Century German Baroque Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Softwood
1840s Danish Empire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Elm
1780s Italian Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Fruitwood, Walnut
Mid-19th Century English Campaign Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 18th Century English William and Mary Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
Late 18th Century British Georgian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 19th Century English Georgian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 19th Century British Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Mid-18th Century British Georgian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1850s French Louis Philippe Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut, Burl
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.