Commodes and Chests of Drawers
1950s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mirror, Teak
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Regency Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
2010s Spanish Biedermeier Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
1940s American Gustavian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
2010s American Chinoiserie Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese French Provincial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Mid-20th Century French Louis XVI Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass, Bronze
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Teak
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Shagreen Stingray
1720s French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
18th Century Danish Baroque Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Cherry
1920s French French Provincial Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
Late 20th Century American Hollywood Regency Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1840s Japanese Edo Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Cedar
Early 20th Century French Louis XIV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1760s English George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Iron
Late 19th Century French Louis XIV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
Early 1800s French Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Fruitwood
Late 18th Century Danish Baroque Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Paint
19th Century Georgian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
18th Century Portuguese Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Jacaranda
1830s French Louis Philippe Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Mid-20th Century French French Provincial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 19th Century Irish Regency Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
2010s Italian Post-Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 19th Century English Chinoiserie Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Teak
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Bronze
Mid-19th Century French Empire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Raffia, Hardwood
Mid-20th Century Italian Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
19th Century French Empire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Brass
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1820s German Biedermeier Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Cherry
1980s Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
19th Century English Victorian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Other
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Early 20th Century English Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1960s Italian Louis XVI Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Finnish Scandinavian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
Early 20th Century British Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
18th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
19th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Ormolu
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 18th Century French Louis XIV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
17th Century British William and Mary Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Ash, Boxwood, Oak, Olive, Holly
Early 19th Century Swedish Country Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1930s American Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Late 19th Century English Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1930s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut, Spruce
2010s French Louis XVI Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Cherry
1940s Italian Rococo Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Ormolu
Mid-20th Century Italian Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
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.