Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MID-CENTURY MODERN STYLE
Organically shaped, clean-lined and elegantly simple are three terms that well describe vintage mid-century modern furniture. The style, which emerged primarily in the years following World War II, is characterized by pieces that were conceived and made in an energetic, optimistic spirit by creators who believed that good design was an essential part of good living.
ORIGINS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
- Emerged during the mid-20th century
- Informed by European modernism, Bauhaus, International style, Scandinavian modernism and Frank Lloyd Wright’s architecture
- A heyday of innovation in postwar America
- Experimentation with new ideas, new materials and new forms flourished in Scandinavia, Italy, the former Czechoslovakia and elsewhere in Europe
CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
- Simplicity, organic forms, clean lines
- A blend of neutral and bold Pop art colors
- Use of natural and man-made materials — alluring woods such as teak, rosewood and oak; steel, fiberglass and molded plywood
- Light-filled spaces with colorful upholstery
- Glass walls and an emphasis on the outdoors
- Promotion of functionality
MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW
- Charles and Ray Eames
- Eero Saarinen
- Milo Baughman
- Florence Knoll
- Harry Bertoia
- Isamu Noguchi
- George Nelson
- Danish modernists Hans Wegner and Arne Jacobsen, whose emphasis on natural materials and craftsmanship influenced American designers and vice versa
ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS
- Eames lounge chair
- Nelson daybed
- Florence Knoll sofa
- Egg chair
- Womb chair
- Noguchi coffee table
- Barcelona chair
VINTAGE MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS
The mid-century modern era saw leagues of postwar American architects and designers animated by new ideas and new technology. The lean, functionalist International-style architecture of Le Corbusier and Bauhaus eminences Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius had been promoted in the United States during the 1930s by Philip Johnson and others. New building techniques, such as “post-and-beam” construction, allowed the International-style schemes to be realized on a small scale in open-plan houses with long walls of glass.
Materials developed for wartime use became available for domestic goods and were incorporated into mid-century modern furniture designs. Charles and Ray Eames and Eero Saarinen, who had experimented extensively with molded plywood, eagerly embraced fiberglass for pieces such as the La Chaise and the Womb chair, respectively.
Architect, writer and designer George Nelson created with his team shades for the Bubble lamp using a new translucent polymer skin and, as design director at Herman Miller, recruited the Eameses, Alexander Girard and others for projects at the legendary Michigan furniture manufacturer.
Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi devised chairs and tables built of wire mesh and wire struts. Materials were repurposed too: The Danish-born designer Jens Risom created a line of chairs using surplus parachute straps for webbed seats and backrests.
The Risom lounge chair was among the first pieces of furniture commissioned and produced by legendary manufacturer Knoll, a chief influencer in the rise of modern design in the United States, thanks to the work of Florence Knoll, the pioneering architect and designer who made the firm a leader in its field. The seating that Knoll created for office spaces — as well as pieces designed by Florence initially for commercial clients — soon became desirable for the home.
As the demand for casual, uncluttered furnishings grew, more mid-century furniture designers caught the spirit.
Classically oriented creators such as Edward Wormley, house designer for Dunbar Inc., offered such pieces as the sinuous Listen to Me chaise; the British expatriate T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings switched gears, creating items such as the tiered, biomorphic Mesa table. There were Young Turks such as Paul McCobb, who designed holistic groups of sleek, blond wood furniture, and Milo Baughman, who espoused a West Coast aesthetic in minimalist teak dining tables and lushly upholstered chairs and sofas with angular steel frames.
As the collection of vintage mid-century modern chairs, dressers, coffee tables and other furniture for the living room, dining room, bedroom and elsewhere on 1stDibs demonstrates, this period saw one of the most delightful and dramatic flowerings of creativity in design history.
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Style: Mid-Century Modern
Period: 21st Century and Contemporary
Pair of Italian Dry Bar/Commodes
Located in London, GB
A fantastic pair of Venetian dry bar/commodes in black & ivory glasses and brass profiling with a wooden inner core. The handles are in bronze and highly decorative with marine mot...
Category
Early 2000s Italian Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
Dresser REEF in Shagreen and Shell Marquetry by Ginger Brown
By Ginger Brown
Located in Bourguebus, FR
The REEF 3 drawer dresser is made of sea shell marquetry with shagreen decor on the front of the drawers.
The legs have an old brass patina.
The inter...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
Stacked Dressers in Limed Oak
Located in Westport, CT
Inspired by the iconic designer Paul Frankl, these rustic modern dressers blend timeless elegance with contemporary flair. The oversized drawer frames and subtly curved fronts create...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
Midcentury Style Brass and Malachite Colored Murano Glass Commode, 2020
Located in Rome, IT
Striking brass frame and hand-cut Malachite imitation Murano glass Commode or chest of drawer, raised on special brass legs.
Handmade by a master artisan.
Category
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Glass, Wood
Mid-Century Modern Walnut Tall Chest
Located in Westwood, NJ
A Mid-Century Modern style tall chest of drawers, constructed of American walnut with a transparent, lacquer finish. The six graduated drawer fronts feature walnut veneers in a box m...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Metal
Mid Century Style Solid Wood and Brass Surface Italian Commode
Located in Ibiza, Spain
Italian commode composed of two drawers. Structure made of wood covered in brass surface and black glass.
Every item LA Studio offers is checked by our team of 10 craftsmen in our ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Oak Dresser
Located in Westwood, NJ
A Mid-Century Modern style solid oak and quarter oak veneered nine-drawer dresser. With dish form, decorative drawer pulls and splayed legs. Th...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Wood
Mid-Century Modern Style Opaline Glass Italian Sideboard
Located in Madrid, ES
Italian sideboard composed of two folding doors. Structure made of solid wood covered with colored glass. Profiles and details are made of brass.
Italian manufacture.
Every item LA ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
Anerio by Morelato, Chest of Drawers Made of ash Wood
By Morelato
Located in Salizzole, IT
Anerio chest of drawers, is a contemporary beautiful piece of furniture made of Ash wood, with 5 drawers
Drawer fronts with opposed grain and different reliefs.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Wood, Ash
Mid-Century Style Solid Wood and Brass Surface Italian Commode
By L.A. Studio
Located in Madrid, ES
Brass and wooden commode composed of two drawers, made of solid wood covered in brass and black glass.
Every item LA Studio offers is checked by our te...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
Midcentury Komodo Dresser
Located in Westwood, NJ
Mid Century style solid Oak, Ofram veneer, and Komodo embossed leather paneled three drawer dresser, with bronzed coral cast brass handles.
Dimensions: 42" W x 20" D x 32.5" H.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Wood
Mid-Century Modern Style Siena Marble Solid Birchwood Italian Drawers Sideboard
By L.A. Studio
Located in Madrid, ES
Sideboard designed by L.A. Studio. Composed of two folding doors and two drawers. Made of solid Birchwood structure, Siena marble top and base. Italian manufacture.
Our main target...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Carrara Marble
Modern Storage Chest
Located in Westwood, NJ
A Mid-Century Modern style storage chest with white marble top, brass trims and panels, and ebonized drawer fronts. The end doors open to r...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
Bodega Dresser, Chest of Drawers in Warm Wood Marquetry Veneer by Joel Escalona
Located in Estado de Mexico CP, Estado de Mexico
BODEGA DRESSER
Bodega Collection refers to cellar art or better known as chiaroscuro, a technique of extreme contrast of light and shadow used by Caravaggio.
Dresser designed by Jo...
Category
2010s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Metal
Mid-Century Modern Style Murano Colored Glass and Brass Italian Commode
By L.A. Studio
Located in Madrid, ES
Mid-Century Modern style commode composed of four drawers. Original structure from 1950s made of solid wood and covered with colored Murano glass. Handles and legs made of solid bras...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Style Wood and Brass Italian Commode
By L.A. Studio
Located in Ibiza, Spain
Mid-Century Modern style Italian commode. Structure from the 1950s made of solid wood and covered in brass. Composed of eight drawers with geometric shapes handles.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Style Green-Malachite Colored Glass Italian Chest of Drawers
Located in Madrid, ES
A wonderful Mid-Century Modern style Italian chest of three drawers, made of solid wood structure, covered in green malachite-pattern hand painted glass and brass handles. Feet cladd...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
Mid-Century Style Solid Wood Colored Glass and Brass Italian Sideboard
Located in Madrid, ES
Italian sideboard composed of two folding doors and one shelve inside. Original wood structure from 1950s covered with colored glass. Handles, profiles and legs made of solid brass. ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Style Murano Colored Glass and Brass Italian Commode
Located in Madrid, ES
Mid-Century Modern style commode composed of four drawers. Original structure from 1950s made of solid wood and covered with colored Murano glass. Handles and legs made of solid bras...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
Midcentury Style Solid Wood Murano Glass and Brass Italian Commode
Located in Ibiza, Spain
Italian commode composed of 4 drawers. Original wood structure from 1950s covered with colored glass. Handles and profiles made of solid brass.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
Bodega Dresser, Chest of Drawers in Dark Wood Marquetry Veneer by Joel Escalona
Located in Estado de Mexico CP, Estado de Mexico
BODEGA DRESSER
Bodega Collection refers to cellar art or better known as chiaroscuro, a technique of extreme contrast of light and shadow used by Caravaggio.
Dresser designed by Jo...
Category
2010s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Metal
Midcentury Style Large Italian Commode Composed of Seven Drawers
By L.A. Studio
Located in Ibiza, Spain
Large Italian commode composed of seven drawers designed by L.A. Studio. Original wood structure from 1950s covered with colored Murano glass. Legs, handles and profiles are made of ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
Midcentury Style Wood Colored Glass and Brass Italian Commode by L.a. Studio
By L.A. Studio
Located in Ibiza, Spain
Contemporary commode designed by L.A. Studio and manufactured in Italy. Composed of three drawers decorated with Murano glass pieces. Original structure from 1950s covered with color...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
Midcentury Style Wood Colored Glass and Brass Italian Commode by L.A. Studio
By L.A. Studio
Located in Ibiza, Spain
Contemporary commode designed by L.A. Studio. Composed of four drawers with solid wood structure covered in Murano glass. Italian manufacture.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Murano Glass, Wood
Midcentury Style Italian Commode Made of Solid Wood Colored Glass and Brass
By L.A. Studio
Located in Ibiza, Spain
Large commode composed of seven drawers designed by L.A.Studio. Made of solid wood structure covered with colored Murano glass. Legs, handles and profiles are made of solid brass. It...
Category
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Style Solid Wood Colored Glass and Brass Italian Commode
Located in Ibiza, Spain
Mid-Century Modern style commode composed of two folding doors and one shelve inside. Structure made of solid wood covered with colored glass. Legs, handles and profiles are made of ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
Mid-cCentury Style Wood Covered in Black Murano Glass Italian Commode
Located in Madrid, ES
Contemporary Italian commode composed of six drawers, with structure made of solid wood covered in black Murano glass and brass details.
Our main target is customer satisfaction, so...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
L.A. Studio Modern Solid Wood and Murano Glass Pair of Italian Commodes
By L.A. Studio
Located in Ibiza, Spain
Pair of Italian commodes composed of two doors. Structure made in solid wood covered in murano glass and brass details. Brass hairpin style legs.
Our main target is customer satis...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
Midcentury Komodo Dresser
Located in Westwood, NJ
Midcentury style solid oak, ofram veneer, and Komodo embossed leather panelled three drawer dresser, with bronzed coral cast brass handles.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Wood
Pair of Modern Storage Chests
Located in Westwood, NJ
A pair of Mid-Century Modern style storage chests with white marble top, brass trims and panels, and ebonized drawer fronts. The end doors ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Style Wood and Brass Italian Commodes
Located in Ibiza, Spain
Pair of Mid-Century Modern style Italian commodes. Structure from the 1950s made of solid wood and covered in brass. Composed of eight drawers with geometric shapes handles.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
Mirrored Glass Sideboard Cabinet Credenza Console
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Modern 4 doors mirrored console credenza sideboard with built in wine rack bar.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Glass, Mirror
Organic Fossil Unique Commode
Located in Saint-Ouen (PARIS), FR
This exceptional round shaped commode is covered with marquetry of oceanic fossil. It has three drawers, and can be realized in rock crystal and custom size. This one is a unique pie...
Category
2010s French Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Shell
15-Drawer Python Dresser with Lucite Side Panels
By Venfield
Located in New York, NY
Custom 15-drawer python dresser with Lucite side panels. Customization available in different sizes, hardware and colors.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Lucite, Wood, Python
Gorgeous Rock Crystal Inlaid Commode by Studio Glustin
Located in Saint-Ouen (PARIS), FR
This dresser features three drawers, and is entirely inlaid with unpolished rock crystal platelets. Feet and finishes are made of brass. A pair is available. Studio Glustin Creation ...
Category
2010s French Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Rock Crystal, Brass
Pair of Sculptural Skull Commodes
Located in Cathedral City, CA
Pair of exotic brass inlay "skull" three drawers with resin finish sculptural side chests.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary North American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
Pair of Parchment and Convex Mirror Chest of Drawers
Located in Cathedral City, CA
Great pair of commodes three drawers each cover with goatskin and nine convex mirrors. Solid steel frame. (High gloss polyester resin filled finish).
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Steel
Mid-century Modern commodes and chests of drawers for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century Modern commodes and chests of drawers for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage commodes and chests of drawers created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include case pieces and storage cabinets, more furniture and collectibles, tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Mid-Century Modern commodes and chests of drawers made in a specific country, there are North America, United States, and Europe pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original commodes and chests of drawers, popular names associated with this style include Lawson-Fenning, Paul McCobb, Edward Wormley, and Widdicomb Furniture Co.. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for commodes and chests of drawers differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $130 and tops out at $128,000 while the average work can sell for $4,174.
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