Commodes and Chests of Drawers
1940s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1960s Hungarian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Macassar, Lacquer
Late 19th Century English Rococo Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1940s Swedish Gustavian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Birch
1990s British Post-Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Maple, Oak
20th Century Chippendale Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
18th Century Italian Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
19th Century European Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Late 19th Century Spanish Baroque Revival Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Iron
Late 20th Century Renaissance Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Late 18th Century French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Brass
Early 19th Century French French Provincial Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
Mid-20th Century French Louis XVI Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
Mid-18th Century Swedish Baroque Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Birch
1950s Swedish Gustavian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1750s Swiss Baroque Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
20th Century French Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Bronze
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Bronze
18th Century English George II Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Aluminum
Early 20th Century Italian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Maple, Oak, Teak
Late 18th Century French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
Mid-18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Ormolu
Mid-20th Century Czech Industrial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Country Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1920s French Louis XVI Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
1890s Swedish Gustavian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1930s German Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass, Chrome
Early 20th Century Italian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Walnut
1860s English Victorian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Early 20th Century Italian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1890s Hungarian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Fruitwood
20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Rosewood, Ceramic, Mirror
Mid-20th Century Czech Industrial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Iron
Early 19th Century Chinese Qing Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Elm
1950s Swedish Gustavian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1910s Swedish Gustavian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Birch
1940s Swedish Gustavian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Birch
Late 20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Plywood
1920s Swedish Gustavian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal, Chrome
1930s Swedish Gustavian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Muslin, Wood
Mid-18th Century English George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
17th Century British Rustic Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Early 1900s French Edwardian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
1950s Swedish Gustavian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Birch
18th Century Antique 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.