1930s French Chest Of Drawers
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
Birdseye Maple, Mahogany
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Cabinets
Marble
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Night Stands
Nutwood, Lacquer
Vintage 1930s American Louis XVI Dressers
Brass
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Cabinets
Zinc
Vintage 1920s French Trunks and Luggage
Brass
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Sideboards
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Sideboards
Wood, Burl
Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Cabinets
Marble, Nickel
Antique Late 19th Century Italian Dressers
Bronze
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Buffets
Brass
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Bedroom Sets
Ormolu
Antique Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Sterling Silver
Silver
Vintage 1930s French Louis XVI Night Stands
Brass
2010s Hungarian Sideboards
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Italian Art Deco Bedroom Sets
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Regency Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Desks
Leather, Imbuia
Vintage 1930s French Country Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Vintage 1930s French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Mahogany
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Beech
Vintage 1930s French Rustic Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Chrome
Vintage 1930s French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Vintage 1930s Italian Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Brass
Mid-20th Century American French Provincial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Bronze
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Vintage 1950s Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Hardwood, Burl
Vintage 1930s French Chinoiserie Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Gold Leaf
Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Chrome
Vintage 1930s English Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Vintage 1930s English Georgian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century English Georgian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Vintage 1930s Louis XVI Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Satinwood
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Vintage 1930s French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Kingwood
Antique 19th Century American William and Mary Commodes and Chests of Dr...
Oak, Paint
Vintage 1930s French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Silver
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Vintage 1930s French Rustic Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
20th Century American Georgian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Vintage 1930s French Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Lacquer
Vintage 1930s French Louis XVI Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
Vintage 1930s French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
Vintage 1930s European Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mirror, Walnut
Mid-20th Century French Hollywood Regency Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Bronze
Vintage 1930s French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Ormolu
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak, Burl, Glass
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
20th Century French Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
Vintage 1930s French Industrial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Metal
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1930s French Chest Of Drawers For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are 1930s French Chest Of Drawers?
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.
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