Commodes and Chests of Drawers
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Leather, Glass, Walnut
1780s English Campaign Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
Mid-20th Century Unknown Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Burl
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
19th Century English Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Teak
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Steel, Nickel
2010s Indian Anglo-Indian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bone, Teak
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Faux Leather, Mahogany
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Rosewood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal, Brass
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Iron
Late 18th Century Neoclassical Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Oak
Early 20th Century Italian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Late 20th Century American American Classical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Carrara Marble, Brass
Late 19th Century British Victorian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
Late 18th Century English George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
2010s Philippine Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Plastic
20th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Rosewood
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
19th Century Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Cedar, Wood
Early 18th Century French Régence Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
20th Century Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
2010s Mexican Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 19th Century Italian Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Bronze
Mid-20th Century Italian Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
1970s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
1890s French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Bronze
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Early 20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
19th Century English Victorian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany, Pine
1920s French Folk Art Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
20th Century Italian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut, Burl, Maple
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Teak, Walnut
1980s American Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Nickel
21st Century and Contemporary Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
Early 19th Century British Regency Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Early 20th Century Hong Kong Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1920s English Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1910s Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Birch
18th Century English George II Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Gold, Silver
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany, Rosewood
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1940s Italian Louis XV Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
19th Century English Victorian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
20th Century British Georgian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 19th Century Canadian French Provincial Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Teak
Antique and Vintage Chests of Drawers and Commodes for Sale: Find Art Deco Commodes and Mid-Century Modern Chests of Drawers on 1stDibs
Shopping for 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 any case 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. The term commode was also used to refer to a piece of bedroom furniture — a washstand or nightstand that contained a chamber pot.
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.