Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Early 1900s Swedish Empire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Creamware, Walnut
Early 1900s Swedish Renaissance Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
Early 1900s French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Bronze
1940s American Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Rattan
1920s English Campaign Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1940s French Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
Early 20th Century Japanese Taisho Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Iron
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Iron
1940s American French Provincial Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mirror, Oak
Early 20th Century French Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1920s Indian Campaign Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 1900s French French Provincial Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Early 20th Century English Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1940s Gothic Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
Early 20th Century French Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 20th Century Swedish Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Birch, Zebra Wood
1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1920s French French Provincial Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Ormolu
1940s Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1920s Italian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Silver Leaf
1910s French Louis XV Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Cedar
Early 20th Century British Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
1940s French Louis XVI Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Carrara Marble, Bronze
1920s British Queen Anne Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Early 20th Century American Chippendale Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Early 1900s French Renaissance Revival Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
Early 20th Century English Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
Early 1900s French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Early 20th Century French Louis XIV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
1940s American French Provincial Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 1900s Italian Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Olive
Early 20th Century American Chippendale Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
1940s French Industrial Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Iron
Early 20th Century Czech Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
Early 20th Century American Classical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
1920s French Industrial Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
1920s French Industrial Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Oak
Early 20th Century British Industrial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak, Pine
1910s French Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1940s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Brass
Early 20th Century Spanish Spanish Colonial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Iron
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Siena Marble, Bronze
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Lacquer
Early 20th Century Italian Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mirror, Walnut, Fir
Early 1900s French Directoire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1940s European Louis XV Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Bronze
1940s Belgian Industrial Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal, Brass
Early 20th Century Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
Early 20th Century American Country Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Early 20th Century Italian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Early 20th Century French Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
Early 20th Century European Hollywood Regency Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Early 20th Century American Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Walnut
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.