Commodes and Chests of Drawers
1930s Czech Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
1970s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 18th Century German Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Spanish Spanish Colonial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 19th Century English Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Teak
Early 19th Century Russian Empire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Palisander
1850s Swedish Louis Philippe Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
1860s French Louis Philippe Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
18th Century English Georgian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 20th Century American Post-Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Formica, Laminate, Wood
Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
1970s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
19th Century Italian Biedermeier Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Mid-19th Century English Victorian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
1950s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Ormolu
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Organic Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1960s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
19th Century French Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Stone
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Ormolu
Early 20th Century German Biedermeier Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
19th Century Belgian Rococo Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Ormolu
1880s German Baroque Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut, Burl
Mid-20th Century Unknown Bohemian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wicker, Wood
2010s American Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
20th Century French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Ormolu
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 18th Century French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Bronze
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak, Paint, Pine
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Softwood
18th Century Swedish Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
19th Century British High Victorian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
Late 20th Century American Post-Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Stone
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
19th Century Swedish Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
Late 19th Century Swedish Victorian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Early 20th Century American Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
18th Century Danish Baroque Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
21st Century and Contemporary German Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Plywood
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1970s Italian Brutalist Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1860s Norwegian Biedermeier Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Late 17th Century Italian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Fruitwood
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Plastic
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Late 18th Century English George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
2010s American Louis XVI Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass, Stainless Steel
21st Century and Contemporary American Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak, Wood, Walnut
Mid-18th Century English Georgian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Ormolu
Mid-18th Century English Georgian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
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.