Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Late 19th Century Swedish Victorian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
18th Century Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
2010s Italian Post-Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
20th Century English Country Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Yew
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
2010s German Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Lacquer
1850s English Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Paint, Pine
Late 20th Century American Organic Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Aluminum
20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
19th Century Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Ormolu
21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
Early 19th Century Italian Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Paint
Late 19th Century British Campaign Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass, Iron
20th Century Chippendale Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1860s English Victorian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Mid-19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 20th Century American Chippendale Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 1900s French Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Rosewood
Late 19th Century English Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass, Metal
Late 19th Century English Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal, Brass
Mid-20th Century American Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Steel, Stainless Steel
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Plastic
20th Century American French Provincial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Late 19th Century Dutch Baroque Revival Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Teak
1970s Italian Empire Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Murano Glass, Wood
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Teak
18th Century American Queen Anne Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1970s Italian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Rattan, Bamboo
Early 19th Century Italian Rococo Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
19th Century European Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1940s American Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Faux Leather, Mahogany
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Iron
19th Century Italian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
1830s Italian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Ormolu
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Louis XVI Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
18th Century French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
20th Century Italian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Walnut
19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Spruce, Oak, Walnut
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Cherry, Spruce
19th Century Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Aluminum
20th Century American Biedermeier Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 18th Century English George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Limestone, Brass
2010s Italian Organic Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 1900s English Arts and Crafts Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
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.