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Commodes and Chests of Drawers

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Commodes and Chests of Drawers For Sale
Period: Early 20th Century
Color:  Orange
Art Nouveau Vanity with Chest of Drawers
Located in New York, NY
Featuring the qualities of a vanity combined with the functions of a chest of drawers, this tall and handsome piece has three locking drawers for clothing, as well as two generously ...
Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Jugendstil Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Fir

Three Drawer Chest by George Nelson for Herman Miller
Located in Dallas, TX
3 Drawer Chest by George Nelson for Herman Miller. Very good condition.
Category

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

Materials

Birch, Lacquer

Pair of Arts & Crafts oak and travertine chest of drawers
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hard to find pair of Arts & Crafts oak and travertine chest of drawers
Category

Early 20th Century American Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Travertine, Brass

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Charles II Oak and Walnut Chest of Drawers
Located in Lymington, GB
Charles II period (1630-1685) oak and walnut chest of drawers, or commode. Retaining old waxed surfaces of very good rich color and patination. With typical geometric drawer fronts and side runners, confirming a late 17th century date of c 1680. Walnut panel inserts to the drawer fronts. Retains its original stile feet and the base with its original bold moulding. Brass key escutcheons...
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Swedish Art Deco Painted Chest of Drawers
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Located in Brescia, IT
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Scandinavian Oak Chest of Drawers
Scandinavian Oak Chest of Drawers
H 27.17 in W 32.49 in D 16.15 in
Midcentury George Nelson Three Drawer Cabinet for Herman Miller
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Gorgeous BCS chest of drawers in original brown ash designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller. This is a very early version with plated metal pulls not aluminum and unusual finished back. This versatile unit is a perfect small dresser, nightstand, or end table. George Nelson, Alexander Girard, and Charles and Ray Eames headed the Herman Miller department for many ground breaking...
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Located in Hanover, MA
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George Nelson Rosewood Thin Edge 4 drawer Dresser by Herman Miller #2
Located in San Diego, CA
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Mid-Century George Nelson for Herman Miller Dresser
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Dresser by George Nelson, circa 1950. This stunning piece boasts ebonized drawer fronts, maple casings, and unique circular pulls. A sleek mid-century design that makes the perfect a...
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Maple

George III Chest of Drawers
Located in Woodbury, CT
George III figured mahogany chest of drawers with two short drawers over three long oak lined drawers with original brass swan neck handles.
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H 37 in W 37 in D 19 in
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Located in Laguna Beach, CA
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Bamboo and Rattan Chest of Drawers
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Pair of French Chinoiserie Commodes
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A near pair of very stylish French, 18th century style ivory lacquer chinoiserie bombe commodes. Having the original marble tops, painted oriental scenes to the fronts and sides, orm...
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Art Deco Birch and Walnut Chest of Drawers, Swedish, 1930s
Located in London, GB
An Art Deco birch and walnut veneered two-drawer commode, two-toned and of superb color, with circular brass knobs, and its key in working order, Swedish, circa 1930. Measures: 95....
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Rare American Art Deco Dresser, circa 1927
Located in Atlanta, GA
Rare American Art Deco chest or dresser, made by Widdicomb, circa 1927. This design was featured in one of the first exhibitions of Art Deco des...
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Bronze

Rare American Art Deco Dresser, circa 1927
Rare American Art Deco Dresser, circa 1927
H 35.5 in W 50.75 in D 19.75 in
Art Deco 1930s Inlaid Birch Chest of Drawers
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Art Deco chest of drawers of small proportions. Three-drawer chest with inlaid swags on the drawer fronts. Dark birch on the top and sides. Standing on block feet. Veneer resto...
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Jugend Stil Chest of Drawers
Located in New York, NY
Reminiscent of the furnishings in Carl Larsson's famous illustrations, this whimsical chest is crafted of solid Nordic birch and fir, with curved, styl...
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Early 1900s Swedish Jugendstil Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers

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Birch

Jugend Stil Chest of Drawers
Jugend Stil Chest of Drawers
H 30.25 in W 41.25 in D 19.75 in
French Louis XV Style Tulipwood Bombe Commode
Located in Stamford, CT
The serpentine shaped beveled marble atop a conforming case fitted with two large drawers, the front decorated with floral inlaid, oak secondary, bronze mounts, raised on splayed leg...
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English Chest of Mahogany
Located in Austin, TX
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English Chest of Mahogany
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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.

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