Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Chrome, Metal
1940s Italian Rococo Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Ormolu
1930s French Louis XVI Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Early 19th Century Russian Empire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
Late 18th Century French Louis XIV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Italian Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1930s American Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Steel
Early 2000s Unknown Sheraton Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Teak
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1960s Swiss Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Early 1700s Italian Baroque Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Walnut
Mid-20th Century American Louis XVI Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Paint
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Louis XVI Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1970s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Elm
1810s French Empire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Cherry
1970s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1810s English Georgian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Late 18th Century Chinese Qing Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
20th Century Mexican Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Mid-18th Century English George II Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1810s English Regency Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Rosewood
1730s English George II Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Chestnut
1990s American Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
1930s Hungarian Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
19th Century British George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1820s German Biedermeier Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Hardwood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Post-Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
Mid-18th Century English Chippendale Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 20th Century Philippine Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Rattan
1820s Swedish Biedermeier Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Birch, Burl
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
1930s Swedish Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Ash
18th Century French French Provincial Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
Mid-20th Century American Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1960s Italian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
1780s British Georgian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
Early 1900s French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Rosewood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Walnut
1930s British Campaign Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Leather, Yew
1890s Japanese Meiji Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Cedar
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1950s Swedish Biedermeier Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary European Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Leather
1930s British Georgian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
2010s North American Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Steel
1780s French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Breccia Marble
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.