Commodes and Chests of Drawers
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal, Aluminum
1970s American Chinoiserie Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1920s French Louis XVI Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 20th Century American French Provincial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1960s Czech Scandinavian Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Beech, Plywood
18th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Late 19th Century Swedish Neoclassical Revival Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
Early 1900s French Chinoiserie Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Bronze
1820s French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Bronze
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 19th Century Hungarian Folk Art Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1860s French Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Kingwood, Mahogany, Satinwood
19th Century Swedish Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak, Pine
Late 18th Century Danish Rococo Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
19th Century American Sheraton Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Cherry
Early 1900s French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Chrome, Steel
18th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
18th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary American Federal Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 19th Century Italian Art Nouveau Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
19th Century Italian Renaissance Revival Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
19th Century Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Paint
20th Century English Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
20th Century Italian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mirror, Pine
Late 18th Century Italian Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Kingwood
1780s Italian Neoclassical Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1970s Unknown Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 18th Century European George I Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Early 19th Century Italian Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Early 2000s American Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Griotte Marble
18th Century French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
2010s Mexican Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Plywood
19th Century German Early Victorian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
1990s American Renaissance Revival Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mirror, Wood
2010s French Other Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Rock Crystal, Brass
18th Century Spanish Neoclassical Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
1720s English Queen Anne Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1950s Swedish Gustavian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Birch
Early 1800s Italian Empire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1910s Hungarian Rustic Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak, Pine
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Glass, Wood
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Plastic, Hardwood
Mid-20th Century American Federal Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
2010s French Directoire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 19th Century French Spanish Colonial Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
1960s French Spanish Colonial Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Iron
Mid-20th Century Swedish Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Birch
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.