Commodes and Chests of Drawers
19th Century French Chinoiserie Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Bronze
Early 20th Century Swedish Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Birch
Late 20th Century Philippine Directoire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
20th Century British Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Hardwood
Early 19th Century American American Empire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
19th Century English Victorian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Hardwood
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Early 20th Century British Edwardian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Mid-20th Century American Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Steel
20th Century American Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Hardwood
19th Century Italian Neoclassical Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
2010s French Louis Philippe Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Cherry, Wood, Oak
1820s Italian Neoclassical Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Late 19th Century Scandinavian Gustavian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
20th Century Japanese Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bamboo, Wood, Paper
1740s English George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany, Rosewood, Tulipwood
Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Oak, Lacquer
Late 19th Century Chinese Qing Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
1790s Dutch Baroque Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Ash
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Rosewood
1890s Italian Rococo Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Ormolu
Late 19th Century European Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Brass
2010s American Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Lacquer, Glass, Lucite
Early 20th Century British Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1920s Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal, Brass
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Organic Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Elm, Reclaimed Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Gold Plate
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Metal
17th Century English Charles II Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1950s North American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Early 18th Century English George I Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
Mid-19th Century Scandinavian Gustavian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Rosewood
1920s German Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
1960s American Louis XV Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Travertine
20th Century British Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
17th Century British William and Mary Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Ash, Boxwood, Oak, Olive, Holly
1750s English Georgian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany, Oak
Mid-20th Century Unknown Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Bronze
Mid-18th Century English George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Late 18th Century English Chippendale Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
1940s American Louis XVI Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1970s Italian Neoclassical Revival Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Goatskin, Wood
1880s French Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1940s European Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
Early 18th Century Spanish Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Tortoise Shell, Rosewood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Ormolu
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.