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Commodes and Chests of Drawers

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Commodes and Chests of Drawers For Sale
Large Organic Coastal Faux Bamboo Rattan Chests / Commodes / Cabinets - Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a large scale pair of Regency style hand crafted faux bamboo chests. They date to the 1980s and are in very good condition. My shipping is running two to five weeks. These ...
Category

Late 20th Century American Regency Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Composition, Metal

Swedish Gustavian Painted Chest of Drawers, circa 19th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
A refined Gustavian-style chest of drawers from Sweden, crafted in pine and painted in warm contrasting tones. The rectangular top, finished in a deep brown, rests above a body in so...
Category

19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Pine

Mid‑Century Organic Italian Chest of Drawers Cabinet in Rattan & Bamboo, 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Stunning mid-century French Riviera chest of drawers and cabinet fully made in rattan and bamboo. This stylish organic dresser was made in Italy during the 1970s. In fabulous condit...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan, Wood

Japanese Antique Black Drawer / Storage Tansu / 1905s / Wabi-Sabi Mingei
Located in Iwate-gun Shizukuishi-cho, Iwate Prefecture
This is an old Japanese-made drawer. It is made of cedar wood, and on the bottom of the drawer there is a mark with the date "Meiji 38 (1905)" written in ink from that time. After ...
Category

Early 1900s Japanese Meiji Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Iron

USM Haller Dresser Y
Located in New York, NY
Offered by M2L. With three drawers elevated. Designed by Swiss architect Fritz Haller and Paul Schaerer in 1963. Made from powder coated steel and chrome-plated steel tubes, the U...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Chrome, Steel

Rare Pierre Colleu "Mickey Mouse" Commode or Chest of Drawers, France, 1980s
Located in Miami, FL
Postmodern design icon "Mickey Mouse" commode, cabinet or chest of drawers, rendered in painted and laminated wood, plastics, and resins. Designed by Pierre Colleu for Disney and man...
Category

Late 20th Century French Post-Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Plastic, Laminate, Resin, Wood

Century Furniture Hollywood Regency Lacquered Chest of Drawers, Newly Refinished
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous mid-century modern Hollywood Regency Chinoiserie Campaign commode or chest of drawers By Century Furniture USA, Circa 1970s Green lacquered walnut, with original Asian-...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

18th century ebonised pinewood Spanish chest of drawers ..
Located in Brecht, BE
A rare find this ebonised pinewood chest of drawers, made during the 18th century in Spain, lovely woodcarving, sungods, shells, typical singns for Compostela, in very good vintage c...
Category

18th Century Spanish Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Pine

Tall Pair of Antique Nightstands, English, Chest of Drawers, Bedside, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a pair of antique nightstands. An English, mahogany bank of drawers or bedside pedestals, dating to the mid Victorian period, circa 1860. Exceptional Victorian craftsmanship...
Category

1860s British Victorian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

Superb French Louis XV Style Ebonized French Coromandel Lacquer Commode
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This superb French Louis XV style commode is a stunning example of artistry, craftsmanship, and cross-cultural influence. The ebonized case is richly decorated in exquisite Coromande...
Category

1950s French Louis XV Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Pair of Vintage Italian Bamboo and Rattan Bedside Tables 1970s
Located in Palermo, IT
Pair of Vintage bamboo and rattan bedside tables, Italy, 1970s Good condition, small signs of wear. Everyone has a drawer. Found in a Sicilian villa.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Bamboo, Rattan

Late 19th Century French Louis XV Style Marquetry Commode with Siena Marble Top
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An elegant Louis XV style commode, richly decorated with floral marquetry inlay and mounted with finely cast gilt-bronze ormolu. The serpentine front features two drawers with decora...
Category

Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble

USM Haller Media B218 Storage System
Located in New York, NY
Offered by M2L. With two drop down doors, one cable cut out. Designed by Swiss architect Fritz Haller and Paul Schaerer in 1963. Made from powder coated steel and chrome plated st...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Chrome, Steel

Small Danish Altona Mahogany Dresser
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Small Altona Biedermeier mahogany dresser with 2 drawers. Brass fittings on the sides and bone keyhole fittings.
Category

Early 19th Century Danish Biedermeier Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Small Danish Altona Mahogany Dresser
Small Danish Altona Mahogany Dresser
$1,890 Sale Price
51% Off
USM Haller Credenza E2 Storage System
Located in New York, NY
Offered by M2L. With four drop down doors. Designed by Swiss architect Fritz Haller and Paul Schaerer in 1963. Made from powdercoated steel and chrome-plated steel tubes, the USM...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Chrome, Steel

Pine Chest of Five Drawers
Located in Baltimore, MD
Hand-made quarter round molding creates a bold step-down edge to the top of this handsome chest. The top two drawers stand a little proud of the others, flanked by long pyramid appl...
Category

Late 19th Century Hungarian Country Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Pine

Swedish Gustavian Style 1860s Gray Painted Three-Drawer Chest with Carved Drawer
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Gustavian style chest from circa 1860 with three drawers, light gray painted finish, reeded accents, dentil molding and tapered legs. Embrace the understated elegance of Sw...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Biedermeier Tall Chest of Drawers in Book-Matched Mahogany, Copenhagen, c. 1820
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
A handsome late Empire or early Biedermeier tall chest on chest with seven drawers and pedestal top. Middle section is flanked by split-turned columns with well-articulated palmette ...
Category

Early 19th Century Danish Biedermeier Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

Widdicomb, Chest Of Drawers, Oak, Brass, USA, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A stained oak and brass chest of drawers designed and produced by Widdicomb, USA, 1950s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 43.5"H x 42.0"W x 19.0"D All items ship from High Point, North...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Inlaid Op Art French Louis VX Style Baggio Annico Marble Top Inlaid Commode
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This French Louis XV style Baggio Annico commode is an extraordinary example of artistry and craftsmanship, blending traditional design with an Op Art-inspired inlaid façade. The commode is topped with a richly veined marble surface, shaped to follow the gentle curves of the cabinet below, adding elegance and durability. The front and sides are meticulously inlaid with intricate marquetry scenes, showcasing architectural perspectives, classical figures, and geometric patterns that create an optical illusion effect, giving the piece its Op Art quality. The central panel features a striking architectural scene with a checkerboard floor that draws the eye inward, framed by decorative columns, pavilions, and classical motifs. Surrounding drawers are adorned with finely detailed inlay work, depicting figures and floral scrolls, all accented by gilt-bronze pulls. The bombe-shaped body rests on graceful cabriole legs with ormolu sabots, a hallmark of Louis XV influence. This marble top inlaid French commode...
Category

Early 2000s Italian Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble, Bronze

19th Century Catalan Spanish Carved Walnut Console Sofa Table, Four Drawers
Located in Miami, FL
19th century Spanish antique walnut console sofa table with the four drawers and original iron hardware. You can use like a commode or c...
Category

Late 19th Century Spanish Baroque Revival Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Iron

Davis Cabinet Company Mid-Century Hollywood Regency Chinoiserie Oak Highboy
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Mid-Century Modern Hollywood Regency Chinoiserie style highboy dresser or lingerie chest By Davis Cabinet Company USA, Circa 1960s Carved oak, with original Asian inspi...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Paul McCobb Irwin Collection Mahogany Chest of Drawers, Newly Refinished
Located in South Bend, IN
An outstanding Mid-Century Modern dresser or chest of drawers By Paul McCobb for Directional and produced by Calvin Furniture, "Irwin Collection" USA, 1950s Mahogany, with brass l...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

USM Haller Credenza F2 Storage System
Located in New York, NY
Offered by M2L. With two drop down doors. Designed by Swiss architect Fritz Haller and Paul Schaerer in 1963. Made from powdercoated steel and chrome plated steel tubes, the USM H...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Chrome, Steel

Antique Specimen Collector's Chest of Drawers, English, Artist's Case, Edwardian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a fine antique specimen collector’s chest of drawers. An English supply cabinet in walnut and milk glass, dating to the Edwardian period, circa 1910. Originally commissioned ...
Category

Early 1900s British Edwardian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Milk Glass, Walnut

French Directoire Chest of Drawers
Located in Austin, TX
Chest of drawers from France from the Directoire period. The piece is made of solid cherry wood construction and features a beautiful rosewood and tinted rosewood inlay adorning each...
Category

1820s French Directoire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

A French Louis XVI Style Walnut 3-Drawer Chest
Located in San Francisco, CA
in the neoclassical taste, the rectangular top with turret rear and front corners over a conforming body with 3 paneled long drawers flanked by fluted turrets; all raised on turned t...
Category

Early 1900s French Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Walnut

Mid 20th century Danish mahogany chest of drawers
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Fine quality scandinavian mahogany chest of drawers circa 1950. Good quality piece of furniture fitted with 4 graduating drawers.  All fitted with shaped brass handles. Fluted deta...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

Antique Edwardian Walnut Chest of Drawers on Wheels, circa 1920s
Located in Germantown, MD
Antique Edwardian 4 drawer chest of drawers. On original wheels for easy handling. Original wooden drawers knobs Good vintage condition with wear appropriate with age and use. Me...
Category

Early 20th Century American Edwardian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Walnut

19th Century German Walnut Chest of Drawers, Fully Restored, French Polish
Located in Wrocław, Poland
A beautifully proportioned 19th-century German walnut chest of drawers, professionally restored. Hand-finished with the traditional French polish (shellac) technique, it features a w...
Category

19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Walnut

Antique Four Drawer Walnut Burl Wood Chest for Restoration
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A fine European Walnut burl four drawer chest with a shaped top with a darker carved edge. The frieze drawer has dark carved moldings and escutcheon and the supports also have darker...
Category

19th Century Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Burl, Walnut

Mid-Century Lyby Mobler Danish Modern Modular Teak Chests of Drawers
Located in Chattanooga, TN
These refined Scandinavian modern chests of drawers by Lyby Møbler exemplify modular design excellence and mid-century Nordic craftsmanship. Each unit features a timeless configurati...
Category

1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Teak

Fantastic Pair of French Marble Top Walnut French Commodes or Dressers
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This elegant pair of French Louis XV style marble top commodes embodies timeless craftsmanship and refined European design. Each dresser features a beautifully shaped beige marble to...
Category

1950s Unknown Louis XV Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble

18th Century Regence - Louis XV Chest of Drawers, Rosewood, France, circa 1730
Located in Greven, DE
Louis XV chest of drawers with fire-gilt fittings France (Paris) Rosewood Louis XV around 1730 Dimensions: H x W x D: 85 x 137 x 66 cm Description: Early Louis XV commode, so-call...
Category

1720s French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Bronze

English Small Chest of Mahogany with Five Drawers in the Manner of Gillows
Located in Austin, TX
A fine small English chest of drawers or commode dresser of mahogany from the Regency Period, in the manner of Gillows, with a moulded top over a frieze of five drawers, two shorter ...
Category

Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass, Metal

20th Catalan Spanish Baroque Carved Walnut Tuscan Chest of Drawers or Nightstand
Located in Miami, FL
From Northern Spain, constructed of solid walnut, the rectangular top with molded edge atop a conforming case housing six drawers paneled with solid walnut, raised on two plint legs....
Category

Early 20th Century Spanish Spanish Colonial Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Iron

Period Gustavian Chest of 3 Drawers with Original Blue Paint
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Late 18th Century Swedish 3 drawers chest with original brass hardware and its Gustavian style blue color that has been restored at a later date. The simplicity of the Scandinavian F...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Danish Modern, Chest of Drawers in Mahogany, Frits Henningsen, 1940s
Located in Odense, DK
A timeless Danish Modern chest of drawers crafted in rich mahogany, featuring clean lines and elegant proportions. Designed in the 1940s and attributed to renowned cabinetmaker Frits...
Category

Early 20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Late 1700s Swedish Neoclassical Chest of Drawers
Located in Kramfors, SE
Chest of drawers in two parts from late 18th century, northern Sweden. The chest is from circa 1790 which is the Swedish Gustavian era, otherwise known as neoclassical. Typical to th...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Neoclassical Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Pine

Theodore Alexander English Style Demilune Commode Chest of Drawers
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Dimensions - H: 36 in W: 54 in D: 24 in Elevate your interior with the timeless elegance of this Theodore Alexander English Style Commode or Chest of Drawers—a luxurious blend of classic design, superior craftsmanship, and practical storage. Expertly handcrafted, this exquisite piece reflects the rich heritage of English furniture, making it a standout addition to any traditional, transitional, or vintage-inspired space. This heirloom-quality commode features a single upper drawer, ideal for storing smaller essentials such as keys, cutlery, or accessories. Below, three doored storage compartments offer generous space for organizing larger items like linens, books, or household necessities—perfect for enhancing organization in your living room, dining room, bedroom, or entryway. The piece is adorned with solid brass hardware, elegantly aged for an authentic antique look. The brass pulls and hinges not only add a refined touch but also ensure long-lasting durability and smooth functionality. Adding to its unique versatility, the commode includes convenient side pullout trays—perfect for use as additional serving space, a writing surface, or for displaying décor when needed. These trays slide neatly back into the body of the chest, preserving its sleek, classic silhouette when not in use. Crafted from the finest materials and finished in a hand-rubbed wood tone that highlights its natural grain, this Theodore Alexander chest...
Category

Late 20th Century Philippine Directoire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

19th Century Biedermeier Chest of Drawers in Walnut
Located in New York, NY
A Biedermeier chest of drawers in walnut, crafted around 1820. The three-drawer piece stands on square feet and features a minimalist design with smooth crossbars and a book-matche...
Category

Early 19th Century German Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Walnut

Mid 19th Century Burr Walnut Wellington Chest Of Drawers
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A Very Good Quality 19th Century Burr Walnut Wellington Chest, Having Superbly Figured Veneers Throughout, The Rectangular Top Over Seven Drawers With Mostly Original Turned Wooden K...
Category

Mid-19th Century English Victorian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Walnut

19th Century Walnut Neoclassical Inlaid 2 Drawer Table
Located in Dallas, TX
This 19th century walnut neoclassical inlaid 2 drawer table is a luxurious and stylish antique piece of furniture. The intricate detailing and neoclassical design make it a standout ...
Category

19th Century Italian Neoclassical Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Walnut

Dutch Baroque-style Chest of Drawers, 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Dutch four-drawer Baroque-style chest in trapezoidal form, featuring the characteristic serpentine front and sides, carved claw feet, and rocaille decorations on the curved apron. Th...
Category

19th Century Dutch Baroque Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

18th Century German Neoclassical Walnut Commode
Located in Rochester, NY
German neoclassical two-drawer walnut veneered commode. Good old finish with rich color, circa 1790. Original hand forged locks. Drawers slide nice...
Category

18th Century German Neoclassical Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood, Walnut

Early 19th Century French Louis XVI Style Walnut Three-Drawer Commode
Located in Black Rock, CT
A timeless French Louis XVI–style commode, this graceful three–drawer beauty blends classical form with a disarming warmth. Rounded corners soften the rectilinear silhouette, while f...
Category

Early 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Swedish Gustavian Style 1860s Painted Three-Drawer Chest with Greek Key Frieze
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Gustavian style painted wood chest from the mid 19th century, with Greek Key frieze, carved rosettes, fluted accents and wraparound feet. Created in Sweden during the third...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Vintage postmodern peach / blush / cream laminate waterfall drawers, USA 1980s
Located in Hastings, GB
Pale peachy /blush / cream laminate waterfall drawers with gold plinth base, USA 1980s. Five drawers. Good vintage condition- two small repairs to laminate, which are not very visibl...
Category

Late 20th Century American Post-Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Metal

Streamline Moderne Art Deco Rosewood and Walnut High Chest American 1930’s
Located in Bernville, PA
Gorgeous Art Deco Streamline Moderne high chest. A rare design with six Rosewood bookmatched drawers. The shell of the chest is also adorned by bookmatched walnut. Beautiful, circu...
Category

1930s American Streamlined Moderne Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Pair of Gilbert Rohde Matching Dressers
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A matching pair of Dresser's by Gilbert Rohde, using book matched brazilian rosewood veneer, model # 3770 Three huge drawers in each cabinet make this a very useful design.
Category

1940s American Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Pine Chest of Four Drawers
Located in Baltimore, MD
What a beautiful chest of drawers! Two scratches on the top are unfortunate but can be easily covered with a runner or other linen. Otherwise the top is interesting with exposed do...
Category

Late 19th Century Hungarian Country Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Pine

Michael Taylor for Baker Furniture Hollywood Regency Chinoiserie Walnut Dresser
Located in South Bend, IN
A stunning mid-century modern Hollywood Regency Chinoiserie four-drawer dresser or chest of drawer By Michael Taylor for Baker Furniture USA, Circa 1970s Gorgeous carved walnut, w...
Category

1970s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Vintage Italian Chest of Drawers from the 1950s with Contemporary Twist
Located in Rome, IT
Introducing a remarkable piece of Italian craftsmanship from the 1950s, this vintage chest of drawers is a true testament to the era's exquisite design and high-level Italian craftsm...
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass, Iron

Rare Art Deco Glossy Lacquer Honey Walnut & Ebonized Wood Commode
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Incredible and rare art deco chest cabinet having a sensual sculptural form with top drawer over swing out doors that reveal two interior drawers; below are two more large drawers for added storage. The striking two tones of honey Burl walnut veneer and black laquered wood further heighten the amazing silhouette. Commode came from a collector who purchased it at Depression Modern...
Category

1930s American Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

A Pair of Louis XVI style marble top mahogany commodes, signed Jansen, C 1940.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
These signed Maison Jansen Marble top Commodes / Dressers are exceptional pieces of furniture. The matching pieces each with a shaped white beveled marble top resting on a case with ...
Category

Early 20th Century Argentine Louis XVI Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Georgian Bachelor's Chest
Located in Greenwich, CT
Fine George III mahogany bachelor's chest, the richly grained fold over top with molded edge, over two short and three long drawers, and standing on original bracket feet, the whole ...
Category

1760s European George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Pair of Robin's Egg Blue and Gilded French Louis XVI Style Distressed Commodes
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This elegant pair of French Louis XVI style commodes captures the refined neoclassical spirit of 18th-century France, beautifully finished in a soft robin’s egg blue paint with gilt ...
Category

1950s French Louis XVI Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Walnut

18th Century French Louis XV Style Galbée Commode with Ormolu Mounted Bronze
Located in Miami, FL
A very fine Early 18th Century French Louis XV Commode "galbée" forme embellished with beautiful, original ormolu bronze mounts and fixtures throughout. Detailed inlay work. Origina...
Category

Early 18th Century French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Antique 18th Century Georgian Flame Mahogany Chest on Chest Highboy Dresser 1780
Located in Portland, OR
A good antique flame mahogany Georgian chest on chest tallboy, circa 1780. The chest on chest is in two sections and of unusual & desirable diminutive proportions, the top section wi...
Category

1780s English George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

Customizable Color USM Haller Storage G2A Storage System
Located in New York, NY
Offered by M2L. With four drop down doors. Designed by Swiss architect Fritz Haller and Paul Schaerer in 1963. Made from powdercoated steel and chrome-plated steel tubes, the USM...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Chrome, Steel

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.

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