Commodes and Chests of Drawers
1790s Unknown Hepplewhite Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Cherry
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Birch, Mahogany
1940s American Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Rattan
1780s Scottish Hepplewhite Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1940s French Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 18th Century Swiss Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1940s Gothic Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
1940s American French Provincial Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1940s Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1790s English George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1790s French Directoire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1940s French Louis XVI Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Carrara Marble, Bronze
Late 18th Century English Georgian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1780s French Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Nutwood
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Cherry
Late 18th Century European Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
Late 18th Century British Georgian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1780s English Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1780s George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1790s British George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1940s American French Provincial Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 18th Century British Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Late 18th Century French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1780s English Chippendale Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 18th Century American Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal, Bronze
Late 18th Century Unknown George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1940s French Industrial Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Iron
Late 18th Century French Neoclassical Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1780s English George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Late 18th Century English Chippendale Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
1940s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Brass
1770s American American Colonial Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut, Pine
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Lacquer
Late 18th Century Italian Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Boxwood, Maple, Rosewood, Walnut, Burl
Late 18th Century English George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
1770s British Georgian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
1940s European Louis XV Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Bronze
1790s Dutch Baroque Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
1770s French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Kingwood, Mahogany, Satinwood
1940s Belgian Industrial Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal, Brass
Late 18th Century Dutch Country Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Late 18th Century Dutch Baroque Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1770s English George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany, Satinwood
1940s Danish Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine, Plywood
Late 18th Century Unknown George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Late 18th Century French Neoclassical Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1940s Swedish Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Elm
1940s Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Sycamore
1790s French Directoire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Brass
1790s English George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1780s Italian Neoclassical Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Giltwood, Paint
Late 18th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
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.