Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Early 20th Century French Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Bronze
1940s Canadian Campaign Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1910s British Rustic Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1940s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Early 20th Century Italian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1920s French Louis XVI Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
1920s Hungarian Rustic Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
Early 20th Century English Georgian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Early 20th Century Dutch Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 20th Century Italian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Early 20th Century English Georgian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Bronze
Early 20th Century Spanish Spanish Colonial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Iron
Early 20th Century Italian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1920s Swedish Gustavian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
Early 20th Century English Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1940s Swedish Gustavian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Birch
1920s Swedish Gustavian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
1910s Swedish Gustavian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Birch
Early 20th Century Italian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Early 20th Century Italian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Early 20th Century Italian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Early 1900s Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
Early 1900s Norwegian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Early 20th Century Hungarian Rustic Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
Early 1900s French Chinoiserie Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Bronze
Early 20th Century Dutch Rococo Revival Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Early 1900s Swedish Gustavian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
Early 20th Century Italian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 20th Century Italian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Siena Marble, Brass
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Other
Early 20th Century Italian Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Brass
1910s Swedish Gustavian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Early 1900s British Industrial Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
1920s French Louis XVI Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Bronze
Early 1900s French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Bronze
1920s French Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Oak
Early 20th Century British Edwardian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
Early 20th Century American American Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Early 20th Century French Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Ormolu
Early 1900s French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
1920s French Louis XV Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
Early 20th Century American French Provincial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Travertine, Brass
Early 20th Century French Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
Early 20th Century French Napoleon III Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
Early 20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
Early 20th Century Unknown French Provincial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Paint
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Ormolu
Early 20th Century British Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 20th Century American Late Victorian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
Early 20th Century French Country Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 20th Century Italian Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Hardwood, Paint
Early 1900s French Edwardian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
1940s Hungarian Rustic Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Iron
Early 20th Century Primitive Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Early 1900s Belgian Renaissance Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1920s British Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
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.