Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Late 18th Century Italian Baroque Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
1890s Adam Style Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Satinwood
19th Century French Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Metal, Brass
Mid-19th Century Tibetan Tibetan Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Lacquer, Paint
19th Century Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
1890s European Belle Époque Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
Late 18th Century Danish Empire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
1880s Korean Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Iron
1790s Italian Neoclassical Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Late 18th Century French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Walnut
Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Ormolu
Late 19th Century French Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wrought Iron
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1770s English George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1890s French Louis XIV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Brass
Early 19th Century French Directoire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
1840s German Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Brass
Mid-19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 1800s English George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass, Other
Early 19th Century English George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Walnut
Late 18th Century English Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
1770s English George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
1850s European Empire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Lapis Lazuli, Marble, Carrara Marble, Brass
Early 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
18th Century British Georgian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 18th Century Maltese Baroque Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Other
19th Century Italian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Early 18th Century Spanish Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Tortoise Shell, Rosewood
Late 18th Century Italian Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
Early 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Mid-18th Century European Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
16th Century British Neoclassical Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Mid-18th Century English George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
19th Century Italian Directoire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 18th Century British George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1890s Danish Rococo Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Early 1700s American William and Mary Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
18th Century Italian Baroque Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
Early 18th Century European Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
18th Century Italian Rococo Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1720s English George I Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Late 18th Century Italian Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1770s Italian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 19th Century French Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Brass
1830s Irish Georgian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
1880s English Campaign Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 1800s Irish George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1790s Italian Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Boxwood, Cherry, Fruitwood
19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
18th Century Dutch Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1770s French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
1860s English Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine, Paint
Early 1700s Italian Louis XIV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
19th Century Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
1680s Italian Louis XIV 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.