Commodes and Chests of Drawers
1920s English Chinoiserie Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Early 20th Century English Chinoiserie Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1910s Austrian Jugendstil Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Nutwood
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Early 20th Century Edwardian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Early 20th Century French Rustic Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Twig
Early 20th Century French Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Early 20th Century French Rococo Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
1920s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Beech, Rosewood
Early 20th Century Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pewter
Early 20th Century English Chinoiserie Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1930s Latvian Art Nouveau Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
1920s French Louis XVI Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Bronze
1930s French Louis XV Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Brass
20th Century American Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
19th Century English Victorian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
Early 19th Century English Chinoiserie Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Hollywood Regency Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 1900s French Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 20th Century English Chinoiserie Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Early 1900s Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Cedar
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Cedar
Early 1900s Belgian Modern Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Cedar
Early 20th Century English Georgian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Cedar
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Cedar
1920s French Industrial Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal, Aluminum, 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.