Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Late 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 2000s European Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1950s Italian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Cedar
1950s German Industrial Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
19th Century French French Provincial Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
19th Century French Empire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
18th Century French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Late 19th Century French Rococo Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1880s English Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Hardwood
17th Century English William and Mary Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Olive
1930s Italian Louis XV Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Late 20th Century American Regency Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Stone, Metal
Mid-20th Century American Hollywood Regency Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Stone
Late 17th Century English William and Mary Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
18th Century French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1930s French Louis XVI Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Bronze
1930s European Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Iron
1880s Arts and Crafts Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
19th Century English George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
19th Century English Georgian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
19th Century English Victorian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
1970s Italian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
Early 20th Century English George II Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1980s Regency Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
19th Century English British Colonial Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Early 2000s American Adam Style Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
18th Century English William and Mary Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
20th Century French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
20th Century American Craftsman Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
20th Century American Craftsman Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
18th Century British Georgian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
1970s Philippine British Colonial Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bamboo, Rattan, Wood, Bentwood
1980s American Neoclassical Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 18th Century American Chippendale Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Cherry
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Mid-19th Century English Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Teak, Walnut
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
Early 20th Century Spanish Spanish Colonial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Iron
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Cedar, Wood
Early 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
2010s Italian Post-Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Stainless Steel
2010s Italian Post-Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
2010s Italian Post-Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
2010s Italian Post-Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Stainless Steel
2010s Italian Post-Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
2010s Italian Post-Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Stainless Steel
2010s Italian Post-Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Copper
2010s Italian Post-Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Stainless Steel
Early 19th Century Italian Neoclassical Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1810s French Empire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
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.