Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1970s Italian Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1970s Italian Space Age Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Plastic
Late 20th Century French Provincial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1980s Georgian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Late 20th Century American Hollywood Regency Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1980s Georgian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Late 20th Century American Post-Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Travertine
1940s American French Provincial Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1980s Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Other
1970s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Birch
1980s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass, Chrome
1990s Italian Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Goatskin, Wood
1990s American Post-Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1940s French Industrial Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Iron
1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
Late 20th Century Moorish Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mother-of-Pearl, Wood
1970s Italian Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Plastic
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Lacquer
Late 20th Century British Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bamboo, Rattan
1970s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1970s French Scandinavian Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Rosewood
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Chrome
1990s Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Lacquer
1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Goatskin, Wood
1940s European Louis XV Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Bronze
1970s European Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1980s Italian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Raffia, Lacquer
Late 20th Century American Chippendale Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 20th Century American George II Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1990s American Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany, Paint
1990s Unknown Organic Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany, Rattan
1980s Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Lacquer
Late 20th Century American Chippendale Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 20th Century American Chippendale Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1940s Belgian Industrial Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal, Brass
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 20th Century George III Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany, Satinwood
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1970s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Leather, Beech
1970s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Late 20th Century American Chippendale Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 20th Century North American Regency Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1970s Italian Space Age Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Faux Leather, Wood
1980s American Louis XV Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 20th Century American Georgian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 20th Century American Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Chrome
Late 20th Century Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Late 20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage 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.