Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mid-19th Century Welsh High Victorian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak, Pine
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Rosewood
1840s French Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Swedish Baroque Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1960s Swiss Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1930s Italian Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Mid-20th Century French Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1860s Victorian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
1940s Unknown Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
Mid-19th Century French Empire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Aluminum
1940s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Birch
1850s American Empire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Glass, Mahogany
Mid-19th Century English Victorian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Italian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1930s British Victorian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Aluminum
1960s American Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Mid-20th Century French Industrial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Chrome
Mid-20th Century Belgian Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Teak
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
Mid-19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Birch
Mid-20th Century American French Provincial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Fruitwood
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1960s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Rosewood
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
Mid-20th Century Swedish Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Birch
1930s British Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Rosewood
1950s Polish Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Swedish Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Birch
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
Mid-19th Century Swedish Country Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Mid-19th Century English Georgian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
1850s Italian Folk Art Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Fir
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Teak
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
Mid-20th Century American Louis XIV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1950s Italian Neoclassical Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Steel
1830s Danish Empire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Opaline Glass, Mahogany
1960s American Dutch Colonial Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Mid-20th Century French Hollywood Regency Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Bronze
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Teak
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1960s American Louis XV Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
1950s Italian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
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.