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French Victorian Commode

French Victorian Green Velvet Corner Commode
Located in Queens, NY
French Victorian-style green velvet upholstered corner commode cabinet with needlepoint front door
Category

Antique 19th Century French Victorian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Velvet

French Victorian White Painted Carved Wood and Marble Commode
Located in Queens, NY
"French Victorian white painted and carved bedside commode with inSet marble top and a shaped back
Category

Antique 19th Century French Victorian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble

Antique Victorian Quality French Parquetry Marble Top Commode Chest of Drawers
Located in Suffolk, GB
Antique Victorian quality French parquetry marble top commode chest of drawers having a serpentine
Category

Antique 19th Century French Victorian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble, Other

Antique Victorian French Quality Burr Walnut Marble Top Ormolu Mounted Commode
Located in Suffolk, GB
Antique Victorian French quality burr walnut marble top ormolu mounted commode/chest of drawers
Category

Antique 19th Century French Victorian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

French Victorian Fruitwood Demilune Chest
Located in Queens, NY
French Victorian (20th Century) fruitwood and parquetry inlaid demilune shaped narrow chest of
Category

20th Century French Victorian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

French Victorian Walnut Semanier Chest with Marble Top
Located in Queens, NY
French Victorian narrow walnut and inlaid semanier, 7 drawer chest with a marble top.
Category

Antique 19th Century French Victorian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble

Antique French Carved Ornate Commode Chest Of Drawers With Marble Top
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique French Carved Ornate Commode Chest of Drawers with Marble Top This exquisite Antique
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Victorian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

A French Victorian six drawer pine dress makers table with brass handles
Located in London, GB
A French Victorian six drawer pine, dress makers table with deep proportions and brass handles.
Category

Antique Early 1900s French Victorian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Antique Kingwood and Marquetry Inlaid Marble Top Commode/Chest of Drawers
Located in Suffolk, GB
Antique Victorian quality French kingwood and marquetry inlaid marble top commode/chest of drawers
Category

Antique 19th Century French Victorian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Other

French Victorian Fruitwood and Parquetry Chest with Cupid Figures and Marble Top
Located in Queens, NY
French Victorian 20th century fruitwood and parquetry inlaid chest with a single front door and
Category

20th Century French Louis XIV Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Fruitwood

Ormolu and Wedgwood Mounted Mahogany Commode Attributed to Julius Zwiener
Located in London, GB
An Ormolu- and Wedgwood Jasperware-Mounted mahogany commode à l'Anglaise Firmly Attributed to
Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Late Victorian Commodes and Chests of D...

Materials

Marble

CHARMING LiME GREEN RUSTIC ANTIQUE VICTORIAN PINE CHEST OF DRAWERS
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this charming antique Victorian French painted chest of drawers
Category

Antique 19th Century French Victorian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Pine

Charming Lime Green Rustic Antique Victorian Pine Chest of Drawers
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this charming Antique Victorian French painted chest of drawers
Category

Antique 19th Century French Victorian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Pine

Victorian Marble Top Provincial Style Walnut Jewelry Chest
Located in Germantown, MD
Victorian Marble Top Provincial Style Walnut Jewelry Chest. Measures 15.5" in width, 12.5" in depth
Category

Early 20th Century North American French Provincial Commodes and Chests ...

Materials

Walnut

Antique Quality French Kingwood & Marquetry Inlaid Marble Top Chest of Drawers
Located in Suffolk, GB
Antique Victorian quality French kingwood and marquetry inlaid marble top commode/chest of drawers
Category

Antique 19th Century French Victorian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble, Other

PAIR OF RESTORED FRENCH POLISHED FLAMED HARDWOOD SIDE TABLE CHEST OF DRAWERs
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
pair of fully restored, traditionally French Polished side table sized chests of drawers in Flamed
Category

20th Century English Victorian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Hardwood

Recent Sales

French Mahogany Commode
Located in Norwich, Norfolk
French mahogany commode. Standing on turned legs with brass toes and brass mounts. The three
Category

Antique 1880s French Victorian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble

French Mahogany Commode
French Mahogany Commode
H 34 in W 43 in D 22 in
Burr walnut Louis Phillipe Commode with Dark Grey Marble Top, circa 1860
Located in Salisbury, GB
A finely figured burr walnut Louis Phillipe commode chest of drawers with dark grey marble top and
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French High Victorian Commodes and Chests of Dr...

Materials

Marble

French "Shabby Chic" Chest of Drawers
Located in Norwich, Norfolk
French "Shabby Chic" chest of drawers with bun feet. An arrangement of two over three oak lined
Category

Antique 1870s French Victorian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Beech

French "Shabby Chic" Chest of Drawers
French "Shabby Chic" Chest of Drawers
H 46 in W 41.5 in D 18 in
19th Century French Lacquered Wood Chest of Drawers, 1890s
Located in Florence, IT
19th century French lacquered wood chest of drawers, 1890s.
Category

Antique 1890s French Victorian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

19th Century French Patinated Wood Chest of Drawers, 1890s
Located in Florence, IT
19th century French patinated wood chest of drawers with brass handles.
Category

Antique 1890s French Victorian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

19th Century French Hand Painted Wood Chest of Drawers, 1890s
Located in Florence, IT
19th century French hand painted wood chest of drawers with brass handles, 1890s.
Category

Antique 1890s French Victorian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

19th Century French Ebonized Chest of Drawers with Its Original Patina, 1890s
Located in Florence, IT
19th century french ebonized chest of drawers with brass handles in its original patina, 1890s.
Category

Antique 1890s French Victorian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Pair of 19th Century French Walnut and Burr-Walnut Bedside Chests-of-drawers
Located in Witney, OXFORDSHIRE
Pair of 19th century French walnut and burr-walnut bedside chests-of-drawers with ebonized detail
Category

Antique 1870s French Late Victorian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Walnut

Antique Victorian French Quality Kingwood Inlaid Marquetry Marble Top Commode
Located in Suffolk, GB
Antique Victorian French quality kingwood inlaid marquetry marble top commode/chest of drawers
Category

Antique 19th Century French Victorian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble, Other

Antique French Marble-Top Inlaid Commode
Located in London, GB
This antique French marble-top commode is kingwood with many other exotic wood within the marquetry
Category

Antique 1890s French Victorian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Kingwood

Antique French Marble-Top Inlaid Commode
Antique French Marble-Top Inlaid Commode
H 32.5 in W 39.5 in D 18.5 in
Antique French Burr Walnut Marble Top Commode
Located in London, GB
Antique French burr walnut marble top commode chest of very high quality and with small proportions
Category

Antique 1850s French Early Victorian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble, Brass

Stunning 19th Century French Mahogany Marble-Top Commode
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Fine French commode of good quality, circa 1860. Excellent color and patina. Five drawers, one of
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Victorian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century French Walnut Commode with Marble Top
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century French walnut commode with marble top circa 1870. Good quality chest of drawers of
Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Victorian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Walnut

19th Century Large French Rosewood Commode Chest of Drawers
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Stunning French commode of grand proportions, circa 1860. Four-drawer chest with original handles
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Victorian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Rosewood

19th Century French Burr Walnut Commode / Chest of Drawers with Marble Top
Located in Richmond, Surrey
A super quality 19th century French Commode chest of drawers with beautiful figured Burr Walnut
Category

Antique 19th Century French Victorian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble

Continental Chest of Drawers, Commode
Located in Whaley Bridge, GB
of drawers - commode is in wonderful condition throughout -ready to place at home, circa 1890
Category

Antique 1890s French Late Victorian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany, Satinwood

Continental Chest of Drawers, Commode
Continental Chest of Drawers, Commode
H 40.16 in W 46.86 in D 20.87 in
French Victorian Hardwood Bow Fronted Chest of Drawers Biedermeier
By Biedermeier
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning French Victorian bow fronted Mahogany chest of
Category

Antique 19th Century British Victorian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Hardwood

Antique Quality Kingwood Inlaid Marquetry Marble Top Commode / Chest of Drawers
Located in Suffolk, GB
Antique Victorian French quality kingwood inlaid marquetry marble top commode/chest of drawers
Category

Antique 19th Century French Victorian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Other

Tall Antique Chest of Drawers, French, Oak, Bedroom, Tallboy, Victorian, C.1900
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a tall antique chest of drawers. A French, oak bedroom tallboy dating to the late Victorian
Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Oak

Antique Victorian Flame Mahogany Swell Front Marble Top Chest, Circa 1860
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique Victorian chest of drawers offers flame mahogany construction with shaped and beveled
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Victorian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble

French Multi Drawer Chest
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Good French original painted pine multi drawer chest, 1840. Missing handles will be replaced
Category

Antique 19th Century French Victorian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Pine

French Multi Drawer Chest
French Multi Drawer Chest
H 45.5 in W 60.5 in D 22.5 in
French Narrow Chest of Drawers
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Good 19th century French narrow chest of drawers, 1880. Dimensions: 38 inches (97 cms) wide
Category

Antique 19th Century French Victorian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

French Narrow Chest of Drawers
French Narrow Chest of Drawers
H 56 in W 38 in D 19 in
Fine French Chest of Drawers with Secretaire
Located in Whaley Bridge, GB
Sn3793, fine quality rosewood abattant, having caddy top above seven oak lined moulded drawers, three being a secretaire section and enclosing satinwood interior with drawers and bla...
Category

Antique 1880s French Victorian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Rosewood

Fine French Chest of Drawers with Secretaire
Fine French Chest of Drawers with Secretaire
H 59.45 in W 30.32 in D 16.15 in
French Shop Cabinet with Drawers, Circa 1880
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A large shop keepers chest in unfinished pine with decorative iron drawer pulls. A great use as sideboard, serving table or console.
Category

Antique 19th Century French Late Victorian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Pine

Fine 19th Century French Mahogany Tall Chest
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
An exceptional quality 19th century french mahogany Tall pedestal chest having well figured top
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Victorian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

Antique French Quality Kingwood Inlaid Marble Top Bombe Shaped Secretaire Chest
Located in Suffolk, GB
Antique Victorian French quality kingwood marquetry inlaid marble top bombe shaped secretaire chest
Category

Antique 19th Century French Victorian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble, Other

Large 19th Century French Palisander Chest of Drawers
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Large 19th century French palisander chest of drawers circa 1860. Stunning french commode of
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Victorian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Palisander

19th Century French Inlaid Mahogany 6-Drawer Inlaid Chest
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century French inlaid mahogany 6-drawer inlaid chest, circa 1830. Early 19th century inlaid
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French High Victorian Commodes and Chests of Dr...

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century French Mahogany Serpentine Tall Chest of Drawers
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Fine quality tall chest, circa 1850. Two part chest with removable top. Beautiful color on the flame mahogany, with serpentine shaping. Seven drawers, each with mother-of-pearl es...
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Victorian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century French Sideboard Chest of Drawers with Stone Top
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A sideboard chest of drawers with stone top, originating in France circa 1890.
Category

Antique 1890s French Late Victorian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Stone

Antique Vanity Chest of Drawers, French, Marble Top, Mirror Back, Mahogany
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique vanity chest of drawers, a French, marble top, mirror back dressing table in
Category

Antique 19th Century French Victorian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble

Old shabby chic chest of drawers, nice patina and elaborate, France circa 1980s
Located in leucate, FR
time an amazing patina was revealed. French work (southern France) around the 1890s.
Category

Antique 1890s French Victorian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Pair of French Marquetry Inlaid Walnut Marble Bedside Bombe Chest of Drawers
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this very decorative pair of Walnut, Satinwood & Mahogany French
Category

Antique Early 1900s French Victorian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Walnut

19th century French palisander chest of drawers with faux marble top
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century French palisander chest of drawers with faux marble top circa 1870. Stunning french
Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Victorian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Rosewood, Paint

19th Century French inlaid mahogany 6 drawer inlaid chest
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century french inlaid mahogany 6-drawer inlaid chest, circa 1830. Early 19th century inlaid
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Early Victorian Commodes and Chests of D...

Materials

Mahogany, Satinwood

Vintage French Hand Painted with Italian Marble Top Corner Unit Chest of Drawers
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely good sized vintage hand painted French side chest of
Category

20th Century French Victorian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Carrara Marble

Console Chest of Drawers
Located in Los Angeles, CA
France, circa 1860.
Category

Antique 1880s French Victorian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Console Chest of Drawers
Console Chest of Drawers
H 34.5 in W 78 in D 23.5 in
19th Century 6 Drawer Cedar Chest Of Drawers
Located in Houston, TX
19th Century 6 Drawer Cedar Victorian Chest of Drawers with bobbin turned columns and raised block
Category

Antique 19th Century French Victorian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Cedar

English Mahogany ‘Wellington’ Chest
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A smaller-scale English Victorian mahogany ‘Wellington’ chest with hinged side-locking bar and
Category

Antique 1880s French Victorian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

Ebonised Bank of Drawers, Circa 1920s
Located in Gloucester, GB
handles - French ~ 1920s - 227cm wide x 47cm deep x 87cm tall - Small drawers measure 48cm wide x 38cm
Category

Vintage 1920s French Victorian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Oak

Ebonised Bank of Drawers, Circa 1920s
Ebonised Bank of Drawers, Circa 1920s
H 34.26 in W 89.38 in D 18.51 in
Painted Chest of Drawers with Modified Back
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A painted chest of drawers with modified back, originating in France, circa 1880.
Category

Antique 1880s French Late Victorian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Slim and Tall 19th Century Chest of Drawers
Located in Whaley Bridge, GB
Sn3978, a slim and tall continental chest of drawers in walnut, having figured top above seven oak lined and moulded, drawers all with original brass handle and original working lock...
Category

Antique 1880s French Victorian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Walnut

Slim and Tall 19th Century Chest of Drawers
Slim and Tall 19th Century Chest of Drawers
H 54.34 in W 31.5 in D 15.36 in
Chest of Drawers
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A chest of drawers from a shop.
Category

Antique 1880s French Late Victorian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Chest of Drawers
H 36 in W 43 in D 20 in
Continental Rosewood Tall Chest of Drawers
Located in Whaley Bridge, GB
Sn3289, attractive, tall and slim rosewood chest of drawers, having moulded top above carved and reeded frieze drawer and further seven moulded drawers all oak lined and fitted with ...
Category

Antique 1890s French Late Victorian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Rosewood

Continental Rosewood Tall Chest of Drawers
Continental Rosewood Tall Chest of Drawers
H 57.09 in W 32.09 in D 17.52 in
Continental Haberdashery Drawers
Located in Faversham, GB
carvings on both ends, raised on a plinth base. We discovered these drawers in the South of France
Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Victorian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Continental Haberdashery Drawers
Continental Haberdashery Drawers
H 33.08 in W 77.96 in D 24.61 in
19th Century Scottish Mahogany Chest of Drawers
Located in Valladolid, ES
A 19th century Scottish mahogany chest of drawers, with five drawers, one of them was used to store hats, that is why it is called "cómoda sombrerera”. It is made of palm mahogany...
Category

Antique 1860s French Victorian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl, Mahogany

19th Century Scottish Mahogany Chest of Drawers
19th Century Scottish Mahogany Chest of Drawers
H 57.09 in W 47.25 in D 21.66 in
Antique French Inlaid Marble-Top Secretaire Commode
Located in London, GB
Very impressive antique French marble-top commode with a wonderful shape and a fitted secretaire
Category

Antique 19th Century French Victorian Secretaires

Materials

Marble

Faux Bamboo Chest of Drawers, 19th Century
Located in Hamburg, PA
Victorian French or English commode could be used in any transitional or contemporary interior. The dresser
Category

Antique Late 19th Century British Colonial Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble

Faux Bamboo Chest of Drawers, 19th Century
Faux Bamboo Chest of Drawers, 19th Century
H 33.75 in W 39.5 in L 33.75 in
French Burled Walnut and Marble Bedside Commode Cabinet, 19th Century
Located in San Francisco, CA
original condition, minor refreshment of finish. 19th century, circa 1880 France.
Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Victorian Night Stands

Materials

Marble

Pair of Antique C. 1930s French Blond Nightstands/ Commodes / Side Tabes
Located in Los Angeles, CA
C.1930’s French bleached mahogany nightstands on tall fluted tapered legs. Front is composed of
Category

Vintage 1930s Early Victorian Night Stands

Materials

Brass

French Victorian Marble-Top Backsplash Wash Stand Bathroom Commode Cabinet Stand
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Victorian marble-top commode. Item features beautiful tall earth tone marble back splash
Category

Early 20th Century Victorian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble

Antique French Marble-Top Walnut Commode
Located in London, GB
Antique marble-top French figured walnut commode chest of drawers in good original condition and
Category

Antique 1860s French Victorian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble

French Walnut Commode or Chest of Drawers w/ Marble Top
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Antique French commode made of walnut with brass hardware and original pink marble top. Unique
Category

Early 20th Century French Victorian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble

Victorian French Revival Walnut and White Marble-Top Chest of Drawers
Located in Houston, TX
Victorian French Revival walnut four drawer chest of drawers with a lovely white marble top.
Category

Antique 19th Century French Provincial Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble

Louis Philippe Burr Walnut & Fossil Marble Commode Chest of Drawers, circa 1860
By Louis Philippe
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
walnut commode in burr walnut with a fossil marble top What a beautiful find, the timber patina is
Category

Antique 1860s French High Victorian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble

Antique French Inlaid Marquetry Marble Top Bombe Chest
Located in London, GB
This French antique kingwood and rosewood bombe commode has some wonderful use of woods with
Category

Antique 19th Century French Victorian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble

1880s French Tailor's Wood Chest of Drawers with Brass Handles
Located in Los Angeles, CA
1880s French tailor's wood chest of drawers with brass handles and solid wood top.
Category

Antique 19th Century French Late Victorian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Chest
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Printer's chest of drawers.
Category

Antique 1860s French Victorian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Chest
H 41 in W 55 in D 18 in
19th Century Continental Chest of Drawers
Located in Whaley Bridge, GB
Sn4901 very attractive XIXth century mahogany chest of drawers of diminutive proportions, having original black fossil marble top above a shaped frieze and four ash lined graduated d...
Category

Antique 19th Century French Victorian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century Continental Chest of Drawers
19th Century Continental Chest of Drawers
H 32.68 in W 38.98 in D 16.93 in
Fine Continental Chest of Drawers in Walnut
Located in Whaley Bridge, GB
Sn3028 fine quality Continental walnut chest of drawers of small proportions, having attractive figured top, two short over three long oak lined, panelled drawers all fitted with ori...
Category

Antique 1890s French Victorian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Walnut

Fine Continental Chest of Drawers in Walnut
Fine Continental Chest of Drawers in Walnut
H 33.08 in W 35.63 in D 22.64 in
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French Victorian Commode For Sale on 1stDibs

With a vast inventory of beautiful furniture at 1stDibs, we’ve got just the French victorian commode you’re looking for. Each French victorian commode for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using wood, marble and metal. There are many kinds of the French victorian commode you’re looking for, from those produced as long ago as the 18th Century to those made as recently as the 20th Century. A French victorian commode made by Victorian designers — as well as those associated with Louis XVI — is very popular. François Linke each produced at least one beautiful French victorian commode that is worth considering.

How Much is a French Victorian Commode?

Prices for a French victorian commode start at $2,274 and top out at $108,639 with the average selling for $4,215.

Finding the Right Commodes-chests-of-drawers for You

Shopping for 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 any case 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. The term commode was also used to refer to a piece of bedroom furniture — a washstand or nightstand that contained a chamber pot. 

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.