Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mid-20th Century Indian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Teak
Late 18th Century Italian Neoclassical Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1930s Italian Rococo Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Olive
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Iron
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 18th Century English George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
1970s Italian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
2010s Italian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Oak
Mid-18th Century English Georgian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Oak
Late 18th Century English Georgian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Cherry
1820s Italian Charles X Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1960s American Chippendale Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1820s American Federal Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 18th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass, Iron
Early 20th Century Italian Rococo Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Birdseye Maple
Late 19th Century Spanish Baroque Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Iron
Early 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Mid-20th Century Danish Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Rosewood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
2010s Canadian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass, Nickel, Cut Steel, Bronze
Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Kingwood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Cut Glass, Mirror, Maple
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
1760s English George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
19th Century French Art Nouveau Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Carrara Marble
1820s German Biedermeier Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1950s Danish Baroque Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
Early 20th Century Spanish Spanish Colonial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
Mid-19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Late 19th Century English Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
19th Century British Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine, Paint
Mid-20th Century English Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Chrome
1970s Brutalist Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Mid-19th Century Georgian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
19th Century French Empire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Stone, Brass
Late 18th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
18th Century French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Ormolu
Late 18th Century English Georgian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Teak
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Elm, Wood
Mid-19th Century North American Folk Art Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Cherry
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Carrara Marble
18th Century Spanish Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Chrome, Steel
Mid-19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine, Paint
18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Brass
Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Iron
1980s Swiss Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
1940s Italian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Leather, Hardwood
19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Late 19th Century Hungarian Country Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
1930s American Streamlined Moderne Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
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.





