Commodes and Chests of Drawers
1950s European George III Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
20th Century Portuguese Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal, Tin
Mid-20th Century Italian Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
1760s English George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
1740s English George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany, Rosewood, Tulipwood
20th Century Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
20th Century French Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
20th Century Portuguese Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
20th Century Portuguese Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
Mid-18th Century English George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
18th Century English George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Early 19th Century English George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
2010s Indian Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
1930s American Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mohair, Mahogany
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
1930s Swedish Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
18th Century English George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Boxwood, Satinwood, Rosewood
Late 18th Century English George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1790s British George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Early 19th Century English George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 1800s English George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1930s European Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Mid-20th Century Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Fruitwood
Mid-18th Century English George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1930s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut, Spruce
Mid-20th Century Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
19th Century English George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
19th Century French George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
20th Century Unknown Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Ebony, Fruitwood
18th Century English George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
19th Century European George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
20th Century Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Softwood
Early 20th Century Swedish Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Early 19th Century English George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
1940s Danish Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine, Plywood
20th Century Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Birch, Walnut, Burl, Wood
Mid-20th Century American Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Steel
1930s German Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass, Chrome
Early 19th Century English George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Other
1950s Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
Late 18th Century English George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 20th Century Swedish Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Birch, Zebra Wood
18th Century English George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Straw
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
20th Century Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
2010s Indian Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
1950s Polish Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Nickel
1810s English George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Ebony, Mahogany
2010s Italian Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Crystal, Aluminum
Late 18th Century English George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Late 18th Century Unknown George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Mid-20th Century English Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pewter
Late 20th Century George III Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany, Satinwood
1930s Swedish Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
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.