Skip to main content

Commodes and Chests of Drawers

4
to
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
2
2
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
4
3
2
2
4
4
149
12
12
12
6
Commodes and Chests of Drawers For Sale
Color:  Beige
Creator: American of Martinsville
Restored American of Martinsville 6 Drawer Chest- Pair Available
Located in Atlanta, GA
An exquisite example from a rare series by American of Martinsville, circa 1960. Stout, expertly made mahogany case construction restored in cream lacquer. Fabulous, chunky solid bra...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Dramatic Restored Nine-Drawer Chest by American of Martinsville, circa 1950
Located in Atlanta, GA
A beautiful example from a rare series by American of Martinsville, circa 1950. Stout, expertly made mahogany case construction finished in cream lacquer. Fabulous wormhole detail on...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

Stellar Restored Nakashima Style American of Martinsville 6 Drawer Chest - Pair
Located in Atlanta, GA
These magnificent commodes are shipped as professionally photographed and described in the listing narrative: Meticulously professionally restored and completely installation ready. ...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

Remarkable Chest or Buffet by American of Martinsville in Cream Lacquer
Located in Atlanta, GA
An absolutely jaw-dropping chest/buffet from a rare series by American of Martinsville, circa 1960. Beautiful, stout hardwood case construction, with brass and leather accents. Fabul...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Related Items
Empire Style Bachelor’s Chest
Located in Hudson, NY
An Empire style bachelor’s chest. Decorated on all sides with panels of feather crotch mahogany veneer, gilded rosettes, and fluting on the shoulders and legs. Inside are two shelves...
Category

1960s American Empire Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

Empire Style Bachelor’s Chest
Empire Style Bachelor’s Chest
H 50.5 in W 38 in D 19 in
Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville MCM Walnut Brass Buffet Hutch
Located in Countryside, IL
Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville mid century walnut and brass buffet with hutch The buffet and hutch measure: 48 wide x 15.75 deep x 60.25 inches high All pieces of ...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Rattan 7 Drawer Bachelor Chest of Drawers by Baker
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern rattan bachelor chest of drawers dresser by Baker in style of Michael Taylor.
Category

20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Rattan

Restored 1950s George III Mahogany Chest of Drawers Pair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Step back in time with our exquisite pair of George III chest of drawers, originating from the 1950s. These masterpieces, crafted from the finest mahogany wood, are a testament to the unmatched skills of our in-house craftsmen. Each dresser...
Category

1950s European George III Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Pair of American Modern 4 Drawer Chests / Desk, Russel Wright, Conant Ball
Located in Buffalo, NY
Great pair of matching 4 drawer chests designed by Russel Wright. American Modern /Conant Ball. Solid birch wood construction, stunning 1930s transitional design, from Art deco to Mo...
Category

1930s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Birch

Midcentury Walnut Dresser by Merton L. Gershun for American of Martinsville
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Fabulous mid century walnut and lacquered dresser designed by Michael L. Gershun for American of Martinsville in the United States, circa 1960s. This credenza has been constructed from the highest quality walnut wood. Features a white lacquered box...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Vintage Nightstands by American of Martinsville
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Pair of beautiful nightstands designed and manufactured by American of Martinsville in the United States, circa 1950s. Each nightstand features three dovetailed drawers with original...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

American of Martinsville Mid-Century Bleached Mahogany and Brass Highboy Dresser
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Mid-Century Modern Hollywood Regency seven-drawer highboy dresser By American of Martinsville USA, Circa 1960s Bleached mahogany, with brass trim and hardware. ...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Pair of 1960s Black and White American of Martinsville Dressers
Located in New York, NY
Black with white top. 12 knobs on each dresser. Each have 3 drawers and each drawer is 7" deep. Knobs are round white balls with brass hardware.
Category

1960s American Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Mid Century Modern Low Commode Chest of Drawers by American of Martinsville
Located in San Jose, CA
Vintage low chest of drawers manufactured by American of Martinsville, circa 1960's. This unique piece is lacquered in an ebony black fin...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Classic Modernist Chest of Drawers or Dresser, American of Martinsville
Located in Buffalo, NY
A Classic tall chest by Merton Gershun for his Dania collection manufactured by American of Martinsville. Features three drawers over three generous drawers with louver fronts. Brass...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Walnut

Vintage "Dania" Dresser by Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Bring home a tremendous example of authentic Mid-Century Modern furniture with this stunning dresser designed by the legendary Merton Gershun for the famed American of Martinsville f...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

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.

Recently Viewed

View All