Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Ormolu
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Organic Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Mid-20th Century Dutch Louis XVI Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Bronze
1940s Italian Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1920s English Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Satinwood, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Organic Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
18th Century French Louis XIV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Paint
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1950s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1920s American Louis XV Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Late 20th Century American Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 19th Century French Directoire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1960s French Neoclassical Revival Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal, Brass
Mid-18th Century Italian Baroque Revival Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Brass
Mid-20th Century British Regency Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
1730s Italian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Nutwood
19th Century Belgian Rococo Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Ormolu
1950s French Industrial Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Iron
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Stained Glass, Nutwood
1960s Scandinavian Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak, Teak
Late 18th Century French Louis XIV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 20th Century Belgian Louis XIV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1920s French Louis XV Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
19th Century Italian Neoclassical Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Late 18th Century English George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1930s British Georgian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bone, Wood
1810s French Empire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Fruitwood
1970s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Chrome
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bone, Wood
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Plastic
Early 1800s German Biedermeier Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Cherry, Fruitwood, Oak
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Breccia Marble
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
19th Century English Country Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Mid-20th Century Unknown Bohemian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wicker, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Stone
2010s American Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Walnut
1910s French Louis XVI Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
19th Century English Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
19th Century Italian Empire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Ormolu
Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1990s French Brutalist Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Elm
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Maple
1890s French Louis Philippe Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Nutwood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
20th Century French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Ormolu
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 2000s American Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Belgian Black Marble, Bronze
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany, Poplar
1880s English Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Hardwood
Mid-20th Century Italian Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Hardwood
Early 19th Century Hungarian Folk Art Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine, Paint
Mid-20th Century Danish 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.