Commodes and Chests of Drawers
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal, Brass
1870s Japanese Edo Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Lacquer
Early 19th Century English Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Mid-18th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Lucite, Wood, Glass
20th Century American Mission Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wicker
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
20th Century French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mid-19th Century Spanish Baroque Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
17th Century German Baroque Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
1960s Italian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
18th Century Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
18th Century Irish Georgian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Early 20th Century French Rustic Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Twig
1940s French Louis XVI Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
Late 17th Century Italian Baroque Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Mahogany and brass on the handles
Can be used as a nightstand
20th Century American Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
18th Century English Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
19th Century Spanish Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Pewter, Brass
1940s American Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
19th Century Rustic Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Gold Leaf
1950s Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 20th Century British Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
1930s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Birch
2010s Danish Bauhaus Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Oak
19th Century Japanese Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
19th Century Japanese Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
Late 19th Century Japanese Edo Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Cedar
1940s Swedish Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Birch, Mahogany
19th Century Georgian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Iron
Late 19th Century Japanese Edo Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
19th Century Federal Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
18th Century English Gustavian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Late 17th Century Swedish Baroque Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Early 18th Century Swedish Baroque Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Mid-18th Century English Gustavian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Late 18th Century European Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1980s American Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Leather, Glass, Wood, Lacquer
Mid-18th Century Swedish Baroque Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Mid-20th Century French Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Iron
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Mid-19th Century Swedish Folk Art Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
19th Century Italian Other Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Berlin Iron, Brass
18th Century Danish Baroque Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
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.