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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

CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN

MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW

ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS

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
Recognized Seller Listings
Hickory Manufacturing, Chests of Drawers, Hickory, Brass, USA, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of brass and hickory chests of drawers produced by Hickory Manufacturing, USA, 1950s.
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

George Nakashima Triple Chest of Drawers in American Black Walnut & Laurel
Located in Waalwijk, NL
George Nakashima, triple chest of drawers or sideboard, American black walnut, Indian laurel, United States, 1964 With regard to its essential form, material use, and woodwork, this...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Walnut

A Mid-Century Mahogany and Brass Campaign Chest of Drawers
Located in New York, NY
Comprising two parts, with the upper section mounted with carrying handles to the sides; fitted with two short over three graduated drawers.
Category

20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

De Coene Frères Beautifully Tailored Chest of Drawers with Built-In Vanity 1960s
Located in New York, NY
Beautifully crafted chest of drawers with sliding vanity compartment on the left and lift up storage compartment on the right in walnut with dark palmwood bases and bronze pulls by D...
Category

1960s Belgian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Bronze

Widdicomb, Dresser, Chest of Drawers, Oak, Brass, USA, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
An oak and brass chest of drawers designed and produced by Widdicomb, USA, 1950s.
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Italian Vintage Console / Chest
Located in Austin, TX
Chest or console case piece from Italy in the mid-century style. This chest features beautiful teak wood with unique tapered legs. There are six dovetailed drawers with leather wrapp...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Leather, Teak

A Swedish Black Lacquer Commode
Located in New York, NY
Fitted with three drawers on four tapered brass feet. Each drawer features a brass-outlined escutcheon and ring pulls. Bearing Nordiska Kompaniet label.
Category

1950s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings Chest of Drawers in Walnut
Located in Waalwijk, NL
T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb Furniture Co., chest of drawers, walnut, cane, brass, United States, 1950s This lovely chest of drawers is designed by British designer T.H. Rob...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Sligh Furniture, Chests of Drawers, Oak, USA, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of solid oak chests of drawers designed and produced by Sligh Furniture, US, 1950s.
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Oak

Jack Van Der Molen, Chests of Drawers, Oak, USA, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of oak chestst of drawers designed by Jack Van Der Molen and produced by Jamestown Lounge Co, USA, 1950s.
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Oak

Tommi Parzinger Iconic Studded Small Chest/Bedside Table 1981
Located in New York, NY
Small cabinet/chest/bedside table model 223S with 2 drawers in white lacquered mahogany with chrome studs and exquisite pulls by Tommi Parzinger for Parzinger Originals, American 198...
Category

1980s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Chrome

Edmond J. Spence, Chest of Drawers, Rosewood, Sweden, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A rosewood chest of drawers or commode designed and produced by American designer Edmond J. Spence and produced in Sweden, c. 1950s.
Category

1950s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Rosewood

Widdicomb, Chest of Drawers, Walnut, Brass, USA, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A walnut and brass chest of drawers designed and produced by Widdicomb, Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA, 1950s.
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Michel Pigneres Mirrored Chest of Drawers
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Michel Pigneres, chest of drawers, brass, chrome-plated steel, mirrored glass, France, circa 1968. This exquisite cabinet is beautifully designed featuring a nice structure of sharp...
Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass, Steel, Chrome

Conant Ball, Chests of Drawers, Walnut, USA, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of walnut chests of drawers designed and produced by Conant Ball, USA, 1950s.
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Walnut

Leonardo Fiori for ISA Bergamo Chest of Drawers in Wenge
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Leonardo Fiori for ISA Bergamo, chest of drawers, wengé, metal, Italy, 1950s This well-designed piece is based on a solid construction featuring straight lines and right-angled shap...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Metal

Italian Designer, Chest of Drawers, Wood, Italy, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A wood-veneered chest of drawers or commode designed and produced in Italy, 1950s.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Mel Smilow, Chests of Drawers, Walnut, USA, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of walnut chests of drawers designed by Mel Smilow and produced by Smilow-Thielle, USA, 1950s.
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Walnut

Mobilgirgi, Chest of Drawers, Spalting Wood, Italy, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A spalted wood chest of drawers designed and produced by Mobilgirgi, Italy, 1970s.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Tommi Parzinger Elegant Chest Of Drawers with Brass Pulls 1940s (Signed)
Located in New York, NY
Chest of drawers model TP104 in dark brown mahogany with brass pulls by Tommi Parzinger for Charak Modern, American 1940's (signed "Charak Modern" in drawer). The dark brown grain c...
Category

1940s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Chest of Drawers in Elm by Maison Regain
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Maison Regain, sideboard, elm, France, 1970s  A beautiful cabinet or small sideboard created by Maison Regain in the 1970s. This piece is equipped with three drawers. This simplisti...
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Elm

Mel Smilow, Chest of Drawers, Walnut, USA, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A walnut chest of drawers designed by Mel Smilow and produced by Smilow-Thielle, USA, 1950s.
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Walnut

American Designer, Chest of Drawers, Oak, USA, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
An oak chest of drawers with cerused detailing designed and produced in the US, c. 1940s.
Category

1940s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Oak

Pair of lacquered wood chests of drawers by carlo De Carli for Sormani
Located in Milan, IT
Pair of lacquered wood chests of drawers model D154-L designed in 1967 by Carlo De Carli and produced by Sormani. Black cabinet lacquer in good condition, with micro surface scratche...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Murano Glass Covered Mid-Century Chest
Located in Austin, TX
Chest of drawers, Italian, from the Veneto region, this nicely proportioned Italian vintage chest has been fully veneered with black and white s...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Steel

Tommi Parzinger Elegant Chest of Drawers with Etched Brass Pulls 1950s (Signed)
Located in New York, NY
Superbly crafted tall chest of drawers model M603 in mahogany with tapering legs and etched brass pulls by Tommi Parzinger for Charak Modern, American 1950's (signed "CHARAK MODERN” ...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

A. Brandt Ranch Oak, Chests of drawers, Oak, Brass, USA, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of oak and brass chests of drawers designed and produced by A. Brandt Ranch Oak, USA, 1950s.  
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Mel Smilow, Chests of Drawers, Walnut, USA, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of walnut chests of drawers designed by Mel Smilow and produced by Smilow-Thielle, USA, 1950s.
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Walnut

American Designer, Chest of Drawers, Oak, Metal, USA, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A stained oak and metal chest of drawers designed and produced in the US, 1950s.
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Metal

Mid-Century Chest of Drawers
Located in Austin, TX
Chest of drawers, French, in the manner of Jean-Charles Moreux. This architectural chest features eight dovetailed drawers with their original bronz...
Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Jack Van Der Molen, Chest of Drawers, Oak, USA, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
An oak chest of drawers designed by Jack Van Der Molen and produced by Jamestown Lounge Co, USA, 1950s.
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Oak

T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb Chest of Drawers
Located in New York, NY
T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb Fuirniture Co. dresser or chest of drawers in dark stained walnut with four circular woven rattan handles and brass end caps ending on tapering b...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

American Designer, Chest of Drawers, Oak, USA, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
An oak chest of drawers designed and produced in the US, c. 1940s.
Category

1940s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Oak

Russel Wright, Chest of Drawers, Mahogany, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A sizeable bleached mahogany chest of drawers designed by Russel Wright and produced by Heywood Wakefield, USA, c. 1940s.
Category

1940s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

A Pair of High Chests by Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture
Located in Palm Desert, CA
This pair of high chests designed by Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture were produced in the 1950s. Standing the test of time, the craftsmanship of...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Jay Spectre American Modern White Oak and Chrome Ribbed Chest of Drawers
Located in New York, NY
American Mid-Century Modern white oak chest of drawers with a "ribbed" design drawer pulls for three upper drawers and four lower drawers, resting on a...
Category

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

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Maison Jansen Mid-Century French 3-Drawer Shaped Chest with White Marble Top
Located in New York, NY
French Mid-Century mahogany chest / sideboard with three upper drawers with brass drawer pulls above three hinged door cabinets supporting a shaped...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble

Danish Designer, Chest of Drawers, Oak, Brass, Denmark, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A caved solid oak chest of drawers designed and produced in Denmark, c. 1950s.
Category

1950s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Pair of Sligh Furniture American Modern Chest of Drawers / Nightstands
Located in New York, NY
PAIR of Mid-Century American Modern (1950s) nightstands / chests with a blond wood veneer, one shallow three compartment drawer and three deeper drawers below with decorative slat fr...
Category

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

Materials

Wood

Pine Chest of Drawers by Regain, France 1970's
Located in New York, NY
A simple chest of drawers by Maison Regain in raw pine with mortise construction. Will be cleaned for the buyer.
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Pine

Michel Pigneres Mirrored Sideboard
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Michel Pigneres, sideboard, brass, chrome-plated steel, mirror, France, 1960s This exquisite sideboard is beautifully designed by Michel Pigneres in the 1960s. It is featuring a nic...
Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass, Steel, Chrome

Tommi Parzinger, Chest of Drawers, Wood, Brass, Lucite, USA, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of beige-lacquered wood, brass and lucite chest of drawers, designed by Tommi Parzinger and produced by Charak Modern, USA, 1950s.
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Milo Baughman American Mid-Century Rosewood and Brass Commode / Chest of Drawers
Located in New York, NY
American Mid-Century 3-drawer commode / chest of drawers finished in rosewood veneer and a brass veneer band around the base. (MILO BAUGHMAN) Minor scuffs to finish on both wood ...
Category

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

Materials

Brass, Metal

Paolo Buffa Italian Mid-Century Mahogany and Marble 6-Drawer Dresser / Sideboard
Located in New York, NY
Italian Mid-Century mahogany dresser / sideboard / chest with 6 drawers mounted with brass drawer pulls supporting a dark green / black marble top, resting on four legs, the front tw...
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble, Brass

Mid-Century American Embossed Faux Reptile Leather Chest / Set of Desk Drawers
Located in New York, NY
Mid-Century American rectangular shaped chest embossed in off-white faux reptile leather featuring 4 narrow pullout drawers with petal form pulls and circular brass keyhole all with ...
Category

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

Materials

Wood, Leather

Danish Designer, Small Chest of Drawers, Pine, Denmark, 1960s
Located in High Point, NC
A small pine chest of drawers designed and produced in Denmark, c. 1960s.
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Pine

Dorothy Draper American Midcentury 3-Drawer Black and Gilt Chest
Located in New York, NY
American midcentury chest of drawers painted in black, with 3-drawers with raised gold painted decorative molding on the drawer fronts surro...
Category

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

Materials

Metal, Brass

Danish Designer, Chest of Drawers, Pine, Denmark, c. 1960s
Located in High Point, NC
A pine chest of drawers or dresser, designed and produced in Denmark, c. 1960s.
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Pine

Swedish Designer, Chest of Drawers, Pine, Sweden, 1960s
Located in High Point, NC
A pine chest of drawers, designed and produced in Sweden, c. 1960s.
Category

1960s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Pine

20th Century Willy Rizzo attr Chest of Drawers in Briarwood, 70s
Located in Turin, Turin
Willy Rizzo, most famous for his photographer career, designed some furniture items from 1966 to 1978. Imagination and necessity also allowed Willy Rizzo to try his hand at furnitur...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Florence Knoll Hanging Cabinet for Knoll International
Located in Chicago, IL
Florence Knoll Hanging Cabinet for Knoll International, Model 121 Birch case with drop front doors. Inside pull-out drawer with flatwar...
Category

1940s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Leather, Birch

Pascoe Industries Double Chest of Drawers
Located in New York, NY
Storage unit composed of two four-drawer (#9568) chests atop a single “LA” series base with laminated plywood legs. Designed by Clifford Pascoe for Pascoe Industries and produced cir...
Category

1940s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Birch, Mahogany

T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb Refinished Dresser / Credenza 1950s, Signed
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This elegant refinished dresser by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb (USA) features gorgeous walnut grain with three drawers and one cabinet door, all with integrated pulls. Signe...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Walnut

Chest of Drawers by Ico Parisi for MIM
Located in New York, NY
Rosewood, aluminum, brass. Chest of drawers from the Taormina line for MIM. 4 drawers with hidden locking side panel. Fantastic design with curved wood legs and elliptical slab-stret...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Aluminum, Brass

Pair of John Widdicomb Burl Veneer and Brass Nightstands / Commodes
Located in New York, NY
Pair of American mid-century nightstands / commodes with a burl wood veneer, single drawer with brass pulls, and two cabinet doors with brass pulls below. (John Widdicomb)(Priced as ...
Category

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

Materials

Metal, Brass

Edmond J. Spence Midcentury Swedish Burled Birch Wavefront Chest
Located in New York, NY
Midcentury Swedish Burled Birch Wavefront Chest (EDMOND SPENCE).
Category

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

Materials

Wood, Birch, Burl

Guillerme et Chambron, Light Oak Five Drawer Dresser, France, Mid-20th Century
Located in New York, NY
This midcentury, polished light oak dresser by the celebrated French designer Robert Guillerme, was created as part of a line of design he produced f...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Oak

American of Martinsville Bleached Mahogany Faux Bamboo Front 8-Drawer Chest
Located in New York, NY
American midcentury (1960s) bleached mahogany chest / dresser with 8 drawers in two parallel columns with reeded faux-bamboo fronts, resting on four square tapered legs. (American of...
Category

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

Materials

Mahogany, Wood

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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