Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Early 19th Century Japanese Edo Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Iron
Late 20th Century American Chippendale Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1880s French Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
19th Century French Empire Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1880s European Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Hardwood
1920s French Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Ormolu
Late 19th Century Danish Baroque Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 20th Century French Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Bronze
19th Century Chinese Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
19th Century French Provincial Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
1980s North American Gustavian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
19th Century Danish Baroque Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Softwood
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Rosewood
1920s English Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Satinwood, Walnut
Early 1900s Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
1970s Italian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mirror, Wood
1880s European Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Hardwood
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Mother-of-Pearl
Mid-18th Century Italian Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
1860s Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Hardwood
Mid-19th Century Japanese Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
1930s Italian Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Macassar, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Burl
Mid-20th Century European Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1820s Austrian Biedermeier Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Birch
Early 20th Century French Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Teak
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Rustic Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Early 20th Century French Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
19th Century French Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
19th Century Victorian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Rustic Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Rustic Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
19th Century English Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
Late 19th Century American Late Victorian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Cedar
Late 19th Century Italian Rococo Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Brass
Late 18th Century English George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Late 19th Century Spanish Baroque Revival Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Iron
1780s Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Hardwood
Early 20th Century European Biedermeier Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Early 20th Century Belgian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
1770s English Chippendale Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Asian French Provincial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
19th Century European Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
17th Century English William and Mary Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
20th Century French Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Cedar
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Chinese Export Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
19th Century Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
18th Century Italian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Paint
Early 20th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Antique and Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
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 and double chests — tallboys and highboys, which were essentially one chest on top of another — 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. 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.