Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mid-20th Century American Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1920s French Louis XVI Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Russian Brutalist Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
1890s German Neoclassical Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Cherry, Oak
19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
1720s French Regency Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1940s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass, Gold Leaf
1940s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Lacquer
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
1980s Unknown Organic Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bamboo, Cane, Mahogany
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Rattan
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
19th Century American Sheraton Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Birdseye Maple, Mahogany, Maple
1860s French Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Rosewood
1770s English George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 20th Century English Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
21st Century and Contemporary Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pearwood
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
18th Century Italian Rococo Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1930s Neoclassical Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Mid-19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
1760s American Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Pine
1950s European Gustavian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
19th Century British Victorian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
Late 19th Century Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Early 20th Century Swedish Colonial Revival Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bamboo, Rattan, Pine
1840s American Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
19th Century Italian Country Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Leather, Wood
Early 19th Century English George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
18th Century Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 18th Century American William and Mary Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Maple
Early 20th Century Swedish Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Federal Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
19th Century English Victorian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Paint
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut, Softwood
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Leather, Walnut
1970s American Organic Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Ormolu
Late 19th Century American Victorian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Late 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1980s Italian Brutalist Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 1900s French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
1970s Campaign Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1960s Italian Louis XV Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1960s American Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Fruitwood, Walnut
Early 19th Century French Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Chestnut, Walnut
1880s French Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
Mid-20th Century Czech Industrial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
1860s English Georgian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
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.