Commodes and Chests of Drawers
1930s Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
1930s American Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Mid-19th Century French Empire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Hungarian Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Palisander
1930s Italian Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut, Burl
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
1930s Italian Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
19th Century French Empire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1930s American Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 20th Century Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Resin
1940s American Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
19th Century French Empire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
Early 1800s German Empire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine, Paint
Early 20th Century North American Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Leather, Mahogany
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mirror, Mahogany, Walnut
Early 1800s French Empire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Ormolu
1920s British Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Early 20th Century Swedish Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal, Brass, Bronze
Early 20th Century Hungarian Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Other
1860s French Empire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Belgian Black Marble
1930s Italian Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Mid-20th Century American Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Early 20th Century Belgian Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1780s French Empire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass, Bronze
19th Century Danish Art Deco Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1920s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Early 20th Century Swedish Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Birch, Pine
Early 19th Century European Empire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Stone, Bronze
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
1930s Italian Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1920s British Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Oak
1940s Italian Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Mid-19th Century Swedish Empire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Birch
2010s German Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Macassar, Lacquer, Mahogany
19th Century French Empire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Ormolu
1940s American Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1920s English Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Satinwood, Walnut
1940s Italian Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1950s Italian Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1950s Italian Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Lacquer, Parchment Paper
1790s French Empire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Bronze
1940s Italian Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1810s French Empire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Fruitwood
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Stone
19th Century Italian Empire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Ormolu
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1840s Danish Empire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
1850s Danish Empire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
1820s Danish Empire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Chrome
1950s French Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1940s American Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
19th Century French Empire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
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.