Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Early 1900s Chinese Chinese Export Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Lacquer, Wood, Elm
Early 1900s French Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
Early 1900s English Arts and Crafts Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
Early 1900s Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
Early 1900s French Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Brass
1920s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1920s French French Provincial Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Birdseye Maple, Mahogany, Maple
Early 1900s French French Provincial Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
Early 1900s French Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Bronze
1920s German Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
Early 1900s Portuguese Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
Early 1900s English Sheraton Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
Early 1900s French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Breccia Marble, Bronze
Early 1900s Italian Belle Époque Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
1920s French Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1920s Swedish Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Birch, Rosewood
Early 1900s English Adam Style Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Satinwood
Early 1900s French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Ormolu, Bronze
1920s Italian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
1920s Chinese Chinese Export Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1920s British William and Mary Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Hardwood
Early 1900s Irish Georgian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Satinwood
Early 1900s Hungarian Baroque Revival Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Cherry, Sycamore, Walnut, Pine
Early 1900s Italian Mid-Century Modern Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
1920s English Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1920s Swedish Rococo Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Early 1900s French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Bronze
Early 1900s French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Breccia Marble
Early 1900s Czech Vienna Secession Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Beech, Bentwood
Early 1900s Chinese Country Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Elm
Early 1900s Italian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Early 1900s European Empire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Early 1900s French Regency Revival Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Bronze
Early 1900s Italian Belle Époque Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
1920s Swedish Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Birch
1920s French Louis XV Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Kingwood
Early 1900s Italian Belle Époque Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
1920s English Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1920s Italian Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
1920s North American Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1920s Burmese British Colonial Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Teak
1920s Italian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1920s Italian Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1920s French Louis XV Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Early 1900s Portuguese Hepplewhite Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Early 1900s Danish Biedermeier Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Early 1900s Swedish Biedermeier Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
1920s Spanish Baroque Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
Early 1900s Belgian Renaissance Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Early 1900s French Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
1920s American Chippendale Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Early 1900s German British Colonial Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Early 1900s French Chinoiserie Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Bronze
1920s French Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
Early 1900s French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
1920s European Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 1900s French Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Early 1900s Chinese Qing Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
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.