Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mid-20th Century Swedish Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Birch
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Birch, Mahogany
Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 19th Century American Federal Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
2010s German Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Lacquer
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
19th Century Georgian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
2010s Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
Mid-20th Century French Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Leather, Wood, Beech
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bubinga
Early 18th Century English Queen Anne Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1890s British Campaign Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
19th Century Italian Empire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
1980s American Neoclassical Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
18th Century English George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Russian Brutalist Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Teak
2010s Italian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Leather, Bamboo
1950s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
1940s French Neoclassical Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass, Bronze
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
1930s Hungarian Rustic Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
1960s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Iron
20th Century English Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Chrome
20th Century Edwardian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 1900s French Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Ormolu
18th Century Italian Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Maple
Late 18th Century Spanish Baroque Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Iron
Mid-18th Century English George II Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1950s French French Provincial Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Cherry
Early 19th Century English George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
19th Century Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Late 19th Century American Late Victorian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Czech Industrial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
Late 19th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Straw, Beech
19th Century Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Ormolu
20th Century American French Provincial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1890s French Empire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Late 20th Century American Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 20th Century American Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
1960s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1930s Italian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Mid-17th Century American Chippendale Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
18th Century Italian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
20th Century William and Mary Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
20th Century Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Iron
19th Century Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
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.