Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Late 20th Century American Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut, Burl
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Chrome, Steel
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Iron
Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
18th Century French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Ormolu
2010s Italian Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Carrara Marble, Nickel
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Cedar
1980s American Georgian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1880s Swedish Neoclassical Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Brass
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Teak
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Chrome, Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
Late 19th Century Hungarian Victorian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
1950s French Louis XVI Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
19th Century Regency Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Other
1950s American Campaign Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
1790s English George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Boxwood
1990s French Brutalist Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Elm
Late 20th Century American Chippendale Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1920s American Adam Style Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Satinwood
Late 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Birch
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Hardwood
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Chrome, Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Anglo-Indian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mother-of-Pearl, Wood
Early 1800s Austrian Neoclassical Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 19th Century American Victorian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1780s French Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bamboo, Rattan
Late 20th Century American French Provincial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Chrome, Steel
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Carrara Marble
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal, Brass
Early 1900s British Edwardian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Milk Glass, Walnut
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1880s Japanese Meiji Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Iron
1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
Late 18th Century Italian Rococo Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
Early 18th Century English William and Mary Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Mid-20th Century English Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Chrome, Steel
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
Late 18th Century Georgian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Late 18th Century Unknown George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1820s German Biedermeier Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Cherry
1770s English George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Birch
Late 20th Century Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
Late 18th Century English Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary European Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Late 19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Carrara Marble
1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
1810s English Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1780s French Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Bronze
2010s Italian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, 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.