Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Carrara Marble, Brass
1970s Belgian Brutalist Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
18th Century English Chippendale Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Maple
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
1950s European Gustavian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
19th Century Portuguese Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1780s European Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1940s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Birch
19th Century Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1940s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Birch
Early 20th Century Georgian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
18th Century Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1780s British Georgian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
20th Century American Chippendale Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 19th Century Italian Neoclassical Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
1750s Italian Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
18th Century Austrian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
1980s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Mid-20th Century English Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Glass, Oak
Early 2000s American Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
Mid-19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 2000s American Mission Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
Mid-19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Paint
18th Century French Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
1770s Italian Neoclassical Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1930s Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Paint
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
Mid-20th Century Swedish Rococo Revival Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
19th Century Swedish Baroque Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1830s Italian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Ormolu
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Stone, Brass
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
19th Century British Georgian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
19th Century German Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Ormolu
Late 19th Century Italian Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Lacquer
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 19th Century English Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
18th Century German Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1920s Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1910s French Art Nouveau Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut, Spruce
1870s French Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany, Maple, Nutwood, Rosewood
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
20th Century American Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Goatskin
1950s European Gustavian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Mid-20th Century American French Provincial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Paint
19th Century French Chinoiserie Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
19th Century Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
2010s Italian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Brass
17th Century Spanish Gothic Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
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.