Commodes and Chests of Drawers
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Chrome
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1930s Italian Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Stone
Early 20th Century Japanese Taisho Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Cedar
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Teak
Mid-20th Century American George III Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Mid-19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
18th Century Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1990s American French Provincial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
1790s German Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Cherry, Poplar, Walnut
Early 19th Century Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 19th Century English Georgian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 19th Century French Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Early 20th Century American Rustic Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
19th Century French Victorian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Other
1990s Philippine Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Wrought Iron
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Walnut
Early 20th Century Georgian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
19th Century French Empire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
1840s Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
1940s Italian Louis XV Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Early 1900s Swedish Gustavian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Mid-17th Century American Chippendale Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
1880s English Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Hardwood
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
1950s Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Early 1800s French Empire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Ormolu
Mid-19th Century English High Victorian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Satin, Birch
1920s Swedish Gustavian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Paint
18th Century Italian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
19th Century Swedish Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
Early 20th Century British Industrial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Aluminum
1870s English Campaign Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
1940s French Louis XVI Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Brass
2010s Italian Other Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Stainless Steel
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Rosewood
1770s French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1960s American Louis XV Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 18th Century Danish Rococo Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
18th Century Italian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Early 19th Century English Georgian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal, Brass
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1810s French Regency Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass, Ormolu
1790s Swedish Gustavian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
Late 20th Century Dutch Victorian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Early 19th Century British Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary English Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Hardwood
18th Century Italian Baroque Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Poplar, Walnut
19th 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.