Commodes and Chests of Drawers
1930s British Campaign Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine, Paint
Early 2000s Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Plastic
1930s Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
1940s Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Palisander
2010s French Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1820s Swedish Biedermeier Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Birch, Burl
Early 1900s Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
19th Century English George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Other
20th Century English Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Leather, Hardwood
1950s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1960s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Teak
19th Century English Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1960s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
1740s English George I Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1890s English Arts and Crafts Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Iron
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Bronze
Early 19th Century English George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
1820s Georgian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1880s French Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Carrara Marble
2010s German Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Copper
Mid-19th Century French Empire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Rosewood
Early 19th Century English George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1880s Swedish Biedermeier Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
20th Century English Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany, Wood
1970s French Scandinavian Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Rosewood
17th Century Spanish Rustic Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Chestnut
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Rosewood
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Teak
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
19th Century English Campaign Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
20th Century French Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1680s English Charles II Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak, Walnut
Early 1800s English George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
Mid-18th Century English George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Mid-19th Century European Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Mahogany
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Fir
19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1890s Italian Baroque Revival Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bamboo, Rattan
1880s English Campaign Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Hardwood
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Glass, Walnut
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Rosewood
20th Century British Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Hardwood
1930s Latvian Art Nouveau Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
Mid-18th Century Danish Baroque Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Hardwood
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.