Commodes and Chests of Drawers
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
Early 19th Century American Sheraton Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Maple
Mid-20th Century French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
Early 1800s Spanish Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Nutwood
Early 18th Century Spanish Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Nutwood
1940s North American Victorian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Early 1800s British Georgian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
1730s Italian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Nutwood
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1840s Danish Empire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
1960s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Rosewood
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1920s French Louis XV Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Rosewood
1820s German Neoclassical Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Early 20th Century British Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Teak, Wood
Mid-19th Century English Campaign Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
2010s German Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Lacquer, Macassar
20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Rattan
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Maple
19th Century American Federal Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
2010s American Chinoiserie Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
18th Century Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Teak
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Leather, Wood
2010s Spanish Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Iron
Mid-20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Birch
1950s Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Early 19th Century British Regency Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Teak
20th Century Italian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1970s American Organic Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Kingwood, Mahogany, Olive, Satinwood
Early 19th Century French Directoire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
19th Century English Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Satinwood
1950s European Gustavian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Carrara Marble, Brass
1910s French Louis XVI Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
2010s French Louis Philippe Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Oak, Cherry
1970s Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
18th Century French Rococo Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
18th Century American Chippendale Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
1930s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Birch
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Teak
1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Teak
2010s Danish Bauhaus Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Oak
19th Century Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
1890s English Campaign Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1760s English George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
2010s Mexican Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Plywood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Rustic Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
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.