Commodes and Chests of Drawers
19th Century English Campaign Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Mid-19th Century Danish Gustavian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
1960s Italian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
1960s Italian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Early 20th Century English Louis XVI Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze, Other
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Cedar
Early 19th Century German Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Mid-18th Century Italian Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1930s German Industrial Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak, Pine, Plywood
Early 20th Century Japanese Showa Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Cedar
Early 20th Century English Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut, Spruce
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Early 20th Century English Industrial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
Mid-18th Century English Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 20th Century English Industrial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Mahogany
Early 20th Century English Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Iron
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Cedar
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Cedar
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
18th Century French Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
18th Century French Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Cedar
Early 1900s German Art Nouveau Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
19th Century Korean Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Nickel
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Brass
19th Century Country Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
18th Century Italian Louis XV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1970s Spanish Hollywood Regency Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 20th Century Japanese Showa Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Cedar
1930s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Birch
1990s American Chinoiserie Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Cedar
1840s Austrian Biedermeier Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1950s English Industrial Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
20th Century American Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan, Wood
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Iron
Mid-19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Bronze
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1920s French Louis XVI Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Brass
Early 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 18th Century Japanese Edo Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Hardwood
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Maple
1930s Italian Art Deco Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
1970s Brutalist Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Brass
Antique and Vintage Chests of Drawers and Commodes for Sale: Find Art Deco Commodes and Mid-Century Modern Chests of Drawers on 1stDibs
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.