Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Early 1900s British Queen Anne Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1920s German Art Nouveau Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Early 20th Century Italian Rococo Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
1860s French Napoleon III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Early 20th Century French Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
1920s British Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1830s Italian Neoclassical Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
Mid-19th Century English Campaign Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Mid-19th Century English Campaign Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1840s Danish Empire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Elm
1920s French Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Sycamore
1920s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Mid-19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass, Iron
1920s French Louis XVI Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1910s French Louis XVI Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1920s French Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
1920s French Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1920s European Louis XV Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1830s English Georgian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Early 20th Century French Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
1920s French Louis XV Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Bronze
1910s French Louis XVI Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1920s French Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
1920s French Louis XVI Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Carrara Marble, Brass
1860s Italian Napoleon III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
1920s Unknown Neoclassical Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany, Paint
Early 20th Century French Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
1840s Danish Empire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Mid-19th Century Swedish Victorian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Birch
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Cedar
1920s French Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
Mid-19th Century French Art Nouveau Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Carrara Marble
1860s Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
1840s English Campaign Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
1850s French Louis Philippe Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Nutwood
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Brass
1920s British Georgian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Yew
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Early 20th Century German Biedermeier Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Hardwood, Maple
Early 20th Century Swedish Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Bronze
Early 20th Century Baroque Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Paint
1830s German Neoclassical Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Early 20th Century Italian Other Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Early 1900s Swedish Gustavian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Early 20th Century Belgian Rococo Revival Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
Mid-19th Century Japanese Edo Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Cedar
1920s French Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Early 1900s Victorian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 20th Century American Industrial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1860s English Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Hardwood
1920s Regency Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
1850s English Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Hardwood
1860s British Victorian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Early 20th Century North American Queen Anne Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wool
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.