Commodes and Chests of Drawers
1770s French Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
Mid-18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 18th Century French Régence Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Early 18th Century French Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Late 18th Century French Louis XIV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Brass
1720s French Régence Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Fruitwood, Oak
Early 18th Century French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Mid-18th Century Spanish Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
1720s French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
Mid-18th Century French Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Fruitwood
18th Century British Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Late 18th Century Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
18th Century British George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Mid-18th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1690s Italian Louis XIV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Fruitwood, Walnut
Early 18th Century European George I Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
1760s Swiss Baroque Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Kingwood, Maple
18th Century English Georgian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
18th Century Danish Baroque Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
Mid-18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
Mid-18th Century Italian Neoclassical Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Mid-18th Century Danish Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
1770s English Chippendale Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
18th Century Italian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Paint
18th Century Italian Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Ormolu
18th Century Italian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
17th Century British Charles II Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
1750s Italian Country Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
Early 18th Century Italian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine, Lacquer
Late 18th Century French Directoire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
17th Century English William and Mary Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1780s English Georgian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
1730s English Georgian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Late 18th Century English Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
18th Century Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Nutwood
18th Century French Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
18th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1780s German Baroque Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
18th Century English George II Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak, Walnut, Ebony, Satinwood
Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Beech
18th Century English George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Early 18th Century French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Bronze
18th Century English William and Mary Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
18th Century English George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
18th Century Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
18th Century Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Ormolu
Mid-18th Century English Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
17th Century Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
18th Century European Chinoiserie Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1770s French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
Early 18th Century English William and Mary Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
18th Century English Georgian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Mid-18th Century English George II Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
18th Century Italian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
18th Century Italian Neoclassical Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Antique and Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
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 and double chests — tallboys and highboys, which were essentially one chest on top of another — 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. 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.