Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Early 1900s Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Late 17th Century English Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
Early 1900s Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
Early 1900s French Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Early 1900s Swedish Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Paint
Early 1900s Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Early 1900s French Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 1900s English Late Victorian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 1900s French Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Paint
Early 1900s English Victorian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
Early 1900s French Victorian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 1900s French Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
Early 1900s Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
Early 1900s British Georgian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Early 1900s Swedish Art Nouveau Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Early 1900s Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Early 1900s Norwegian Art Nouveau Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
1680s English Charles II Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak, Walnut
Early 1900s British Queen Anne Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Late 17th Century English William and Mary Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 1900s Swedish Gustavian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Early 1900s Victorian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Late 17th Century English Charles II Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
Early 1900s French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Brass
Early 1900s Victorian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Early 1900s Romanian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass, Steel
Early 1900s French Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Late 17th Century English Charles II Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
Early 1900s Italian Folk Art Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Fir, Wood
Early 1900s Dutch Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
Early 1900s French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Ormolu
Early 1900s French Rustic Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 1900s Italian Art Nouveau Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 1900s British Victorian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 17th Century Italian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Cherry, Walnut
Early 1900s British Victorian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 1900s British Georgian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Late 17th Century Italian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Poplar, Pine
Early 1900s English Arts and Crafts Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
1690s Italian Louis XIV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Fruitwood, Walnut
Early 1900s French Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Bronze
Early 1900s Austrian Art Nouveau Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 17th Century English William and Mary Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Olive, Sycamore
Late 17th Century Italian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Fruitwood
Early 1900s French Country Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Early 1900s Italian Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
Early 1900s Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Nutwood
Early 1900s American Empire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Rosewood
Early 1900s French Directoire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Carrara Marble, Brass
Early 1900s Swedish Arts and Crafts Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
1690s English William and Mary Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Boxwood, Walnut
Early 1900s Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
Late 17th Century Swedish Baroque Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Early 1900s French Chinoiserie Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Bronze
Early 1900s Norwegian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Early 1900s Swedish Gustavian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
Early 1900s British Industrial Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
Early 1900s French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
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.