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Antique Commode Chest

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19th Century French Louis XVI Walnut Commode
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century French Louis XVI Walnut Commode was hand-crafted from select French walnut, and
Category

1890s French Louis XVI Antique Commode Chest

Materials

Onyx, Brass

Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Walnut Commode
19th Century French Louis XVI Walnut Commode

19th Century French Louis XVI Walnut Commode

$3,480
1800s French Walnut Four Drawer Commode
Located in Burton, TX
Found in the South of France, this 18th century French Chest of Drawers is constructed of solid
Category

19th Century French Antique Commode Chest

Materials

Walnut

Antique 1800s French Walnut Four Drawer Commode
1800s French Walnut Four Drawer Commode

1800s French Walnut Four Drawer Commode

$4,600
Fine 18th Century Venetian Fruitwood Commodes
Located in Rome, IT
A fine 18th century Venetian fruitwood commodes with three long drawers. Measures: 132 x 88 x 62 cm
Category

18th Century and Earlier Italian Baroque Antique Commode Chest

Materials

Nutwood

Antique Fine 18th Century Venetian Fruitwood Commodes
Fine 18th Century Venetian Fruitwood Commodes

Fine 18th Century Venetian Fruitwood Commodes

$18,987
Magnificent Antique George III Mahogany Chest on Chest
Located in Suffolk, GB
Magnificent George III mahogany chest on chest is a magnificent example of quality and
Category

1780s English George III Antique Commode Chest

Materials

Mahogany

Magnificent Antique George III Mahogany Chest on Chest
Magnificent Antique George III Mahogany Chest on Chest

Magnificent Antique George III Mahogany Chest on Chest

$4,860
18th Century Country French Whitewashed Commode
Located in Dallas, TX
18th Century Country French Whitewashed Commode was considered an essential furnishing in the 1700s
Category

Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Commode Chest

Materials

Bronze

Antique 18th Century Country French Whitewashed Commode
18th Century Country French Whitewashed Commode

18th Century Country French Whitewashed Commode

$5,900
19th Century Louis XVI Marquetry Commode
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A dainty 19th century French commode in the Louis XVI style, in marquetry veneer with a grey marble
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Commode Chest

Materials

Marble

Antique 19th Century Louis XVI Marquetry Commode
19th Century Louis XVI Marquetry Commode

19th Century Louis XVI Marquetry Commode

$2,200
Louis XV Provincial Commode In Walnut
Located in Kent, Dover
An XVIII Century French Louis XV walnut commode, with a serpentine front and five drawers. The
Category

1760s French Louis XV Antique Commode Chest

Materials

Bronze

Antique Louis XV Provincial Commode In Walnut
Louis XV Provincial Commode In Walnut

Louis XV Provincial Commode In Walnut

$6,046
Antique French Provincial Commode Circa 1800
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique French Provincial Commode Circa 1800
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Commode Chest

Materials

Walnut

Antique French Provincial Commode Circa 1800
Antique French Provincial Commode Circa 1800

Antique French Provincial Commode Circa 1800

$3,000
18th Century English Inlayed Mahogany Chest on Chest
Located in Savannah, GA
English mahogany chest on chest on bracket feet with string inlays of satinwood on every drawer
Category

18th Century and Earlier British George III Antique Commode Chest

Materials

Mahogany

Antique 18th Century English Inlayed Mahogany Chest on Chest
18th Century English Inlayed Mahogany Chest on Chest

18th Century English Inlayed Mahogany Chest on Chest

$12,500
Rustic French Commode in Bleached Walnut
Located in Schellebelle, BE
Elegant French Commode in a bleached Walnut, from the Paris Region,18 th Century, original Bronze
Category

Mid-18th Century French Antique Commode Chest

Materials

Walnut

Rustic French Commode in Bleached Walnut
Rustic French Commode in Bleached Walnut

Rustic French Commode in Bleached Walnut

$5,636
18th Century Walnut Petite Chiffonnière Commode
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
This elegant 18th century walnut chiffonnière or petite commode is a testament to fine
Category

18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Commode Chest

Materials

Bronze

18th Century Walnut Petite Chiffonnière Commode
18th Century Walnut Petite Chiffonnière Commode

18th Century Walnut Petite Chiffonnière Commode

$2,040
Antique Stylish Swedish Stockholm Gustavian Commode
Located in Kramfors, SE
Antique stylish gustavian commode from Stockholm made around 1790. The commode is from the Swedish
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Commode Chest

Materials

Limestone, Brass

Antique Stylish Swedish Stockholm Gustavian Commode
Antique Stylish Swedish Stockholm Gustavian Commode

Antique Stylish Swedish Stockholm Gustavian Commode

$8,069
19th Century Biedermeier Three Drawer Commode
Located in Kent, Dover
A XIX Century three drawer Biedermeier commode in pickled walnut, with ebonised tapering legs and
Category

1830s Austrian Antique Commode Chest

Materials

Brass

19th Century Biedermeier Three Drawer Commode
19th Century Biedermeier Three Drawer Commode

19th Century Biedermeier Three Drawer Commode

$4,157
18th Century English Georgian Mahogany Chest on Chest
Located in Queens, NY
English Georgian (18th Century) mahogany chest on chest with eight drawers (two small, six large
Category

18th Century Georgian Antique Commode Chest

Materials

Mahogany

18th Century English Georgian Mahogany Chest on Chest
18th Century English Georgian Mahogany Chest on Chest

18th Century English Georgian Mahogany Chest on Chest

$14,500
18th/19th Century Italian Walnut Baroque Commode
Located in Norwood, NJ
An early 19th century Northern Italian Baroque chest of draws. Italian 3-drawer serpentine walnut
Category

Late 18th Century Italian Baroque Revival Antique Commode Chest

Materials

Bronze

18th/19th Century Italian Walnut Baroque Commode
18th/19th Century Italian Walnut Baroque Commode

18th/19th Century Italian Walnut Baroque Commode

$7,475
Antique French Louis XV Style Commode
Located in London, GB
A stunning antique French commode, dating from around the 1910-1920 period. This is of outstanding
Category

1910s French Louis XV Antique Commode Chest

Materials

Bronze

Antique French Louis XV Style Commode
Antique French Louis XV Style Commode

Antique French Louis XV Style Commode

$1,608
18th Century Swedish Commode, Alder Root
Located in Stockholm, SE
A beautiful 18th century Swedish baroque chest of drawers, alder root. This late baroque commode is
Category

Mid-18th Century Swedish Baroque Antique Commode Chest

Materials

Wood

18th Century Swedish Commode, Alder Root
18th Century Swedish Commode, Alder Root

18th Century Swedish Commode, Alder Root

$5,458
Small Italian 19th century Rococo Style Commode
Located in Troy, NY
Small Italian 19th century Rococo Style Commode of petit size, Rococo style, serpentine shape, on
Category

18th Century Italian Rococo Antique Commode Chest

Materials

Walnut

Small Italian 19th century Rococo Style Commode
Small Italian 19th century Rococo Style Commode

Small Italian 19th century Rococo Style Commode

$7,500
Mid-18th Century George III Period Chest on Chest
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Mid-18th century chest on chest, George III, English. Mahogany with oak secondary. The top section
Category

Mid-18th Century English George III Antique Commode Chest

Materials

Wood

Mid-18th Century George III Period Chest on Chest
Mid-18th Century George III Period Chest on Chest

Mid-18th Century George III Period Chest on Chest

$5,500
19th Century French Empire Walnut Commode
Located in Madrid, ES
A rare French Empire period chest of drawers, in walnut wood with keyholes and gilded brass handles
Category

Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Commode Chest

Materials

Bronze

19th Century French Empire Walnut Commode
19th Century French Empire Walnut Commode

19th Century French Empire Walnut Commode

$3,227 Sale Price
20% Off
Victorian Antique Wellington Chest
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A fine antique mahogany early Victorian Wellington chest This tall cabinet has six drawers with a
Category

19th Century English Antique Commode Chest

Materials

Mahogany

Victorian Antique Wellington Chest
Victorian Antique Wellington Chest

Victorian Antique Wellington Chest

$10,200
Italian Fruitwood Commode, Late 18th Century
Located in London, GB
Italian fruitwood commode, Late 18th Century Italian Neoclassical fruitwood commode with a black
Category

Late 18th Century Italian Neoclassical Antique Commode Chest

Materials

Fruitwood

Italian Fruitwood Commode, Late 18th Century
Italian Fruitwood Commode, Late 18th Century

Italian Fruitwood Commode, Late 18th Century

$5,408
1820s Painted Commode with Delft-style Motifs
Located in London, GB
An example of early 19th-century decorative work, this commode marries continental Neoclassical
Category

1920s Antique Commode Chest

Materials

Wood

1820s Painted Commode with Delft-style Motifs
1820s Painted Commode with Delft-style Motifs

1820s Painted Commode with Delft-style Motifs

$6,586
19th Century Louis Philippe Burl Walnut Commode
Located in High Point, NC
Gorgeous 19th century walnut commode from France with an intensely grained marble top, following
Category

19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Commode Chest

Materials

Marble

19th Century Louis Philippe Burl Walnut Commode
19th Century Louis Philippe Burl Walnut Commode

19th Century Louis Philippe Burl Walnut Commode

$4,795
18th century English Mahogany Chippendale Chest on Chest
By Thomas Chippendale
Located in Savannah, GA
English mahogany Chippendale chest on chest, featuring bracket feet, molded top above a line inlaid
Category

1790s English Chippendale Antique Commode Chest

Materials

Brass

18th century English Mahogany Chippendale Chest on Chest
18th century English Mahogany Chippendale Chest on Chest

18th century English Mahogany Chippendale Chest on Chest

$2,495 Sale Price
46% Off
18th Century Louis XVI Rosewood Commode
Located in Houston, TX
French Louis XVI rosewood commode, attributed to Nicolas Petit (French, 1732-1791, master 1761
Category

18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Commode Chest

Materials

Rosewood

18th Century Louis XVI Rosewood Commode
18th Century Louis XVI Rosewood Commode

18th Century Louis XVI Rosewood Commode

$12,000
Queen Anne Walnut Chest
Located in Greenwich, CT
An early 18th century chest of drawers of unusually narrow and long proportions.  In magnificently
Category

Early 18th Century English Queen Anne Antique Commode Chest

Materials

Walnut

Queen Anne Walnut Chest
Queen Anne Walnut Chest

Queen Anne Walnut Chest

$11,900
Fine George III Mahogany Chest on Chest
Located in Essex, MA
With detachable rectangular cornice with fluting and dentilled carving and gadrooning with canted corners over a conforming case with two over four graduated drawers flanked by flute...
Category

1760s English George III Antique Commode Chest

Fine George III Mahogany Chest on Chest
Fine George III Mahogany Chest on Chest

Fine George III Mahogany Chest on Chest

$16,500
Marble Topped Marquetry Commode After Riesener
By Jean-Henri Riesener
Located in London, GB
Marble topped marquetry commode after Riesener French, late 19th Century Measures: Height 91cm
Category

Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Commode Chest

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

Marble Topped Marquetry Commode After Riesener
Marble Topped Marquetry Commode After Riesener

Marble Topped Marquetry Commode After Riesener

$61,616
Late 18th Century Directoire Provençal Oak Commode
Located in High Point, NC
Wonderful late 18th century Director commode in oak. This commode is of excellent scale. the top
Category

Late 18th Century French Directoire Antique Commode Chest

Materials

Brass

Late 18th Century Directoire Provençal Oak Commode
Late 18th Century Directoire Provençal Oak Commode

Late 18th Century Directoire Provençal Oak Commode

$7,695
19th Century French Regency Style Parisian Commode
Located in Winter Park, FL
A 19th century French Regence style commode Parisienne made of solid walnut. Four dovetailed
Category

Early 19th Century Regency Antique Commode Chest

Materials

Bronze

19th Century French Regency Style Parisian Commode
19th Century French Regency Style Parisian Commode

19th Century French Regency Style Parisian Commode

$4,000
French Serpentine Rare Two Drawer Commode
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
A French 19th Century decoratively carved serpentine Walnut two drawer bleached commode with
Category

Late 19th Century French Country Antique Commode Chest

Materials

Walnut

French Serpentine Rare Two Drawer Commode
French Serpentine Rare Two Drawer Commode

French Serpentine Rare Two Drawer Commode

$5,251
Louis XV Style Walnut Marquetry Bombe Commode
Located in Astoria, NY
Louis XV Style Walnut Marquetry Bombe Commode, 19th century, with breccia pernice serpentine marble
Category

19th Century French Louis XV Antique Commode Chest

Materials

Breccia Marble, Bronze

Louis XV Style Walnut Marquetry Bombe Commode
Louis XV Style Walnut Marquetry Bombe Commode

Louis XV Style Walnut Marquetry Bombe Commode

$2,350
Dutch Marquetry Chest
Located in Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire
An attractive figured walnut Dutch chest with fine marquetry inlay of birds and flowers; most Dutch
Category

Late 18th Century Dutch Antique Commode Chest

Materials

Walnut

Dutch Marquetry Chest
Dutch Marquetry Chest

Dutch Marquetry Chest

$4,313
Elegantly Veneered, 19th Century Tuscan Commode
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hand-carved, ebonized walnut and burl, three-drawer commode with suites of contrasting, pearwood
Category

1880s Italian Antique Commode Chest

Materials

Pearwood, Walnut, Burl

Elegantly Veneered, 19th Century Tuscan Commode
Elegantly Veneered, 19th Century Tuscan Commode

Elegantly Veneered, 19th Century Tuscan Commode

$28,500
Louis XV Provincial Fruitwood Commode
Located in Essex, MA
With serpentine rectangular top over three conforming drawers and a carved shaped apron raised on cabriole legs and scroll feet. Paneled sides. Provenance: Fogg Estate, Chestnut Hil...
Category

1750s French Louis XV Antique Commode Chest

Materials

Fruitwood

Louis XV Provincial Fruitwood Commode
Louis XV Provincial Fruitwood Commode

Louis XV Provincial Fruitwood Commode

$9,500
Louis XV Walnut Commode, 18th Century
Located in Savannah, GA
A Louis XV carved walnut commode, 18th Century. Five drawers with three smaller drawers including
Category

18th Century French Louis XV Antique Commode Chest

Materials

Walnut

Louis XV Walnut Commode, 18th Century
Louis XV Walnut Commode, 18th Century

Louis XV Walnut Commode, 18th Century

$6,000
Pair of Venetian Painted Neoclassical Commodes
Located in North Miami, FL
Very fine 19th century Venetian two-drawer commode with keys, the top is faux painted to simulate
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Antique Commode Chest

Materials

Wood

Pair of Venetian Painted Neoclassical Commodes
Pair of Venetian Painted Neoclassical Commodes

Pair of Venetian Painted Neoclassical Commodes

$24,000 / set
Small English George II Style Mahogany Chest on Chest
Located in San Francisco, CA
An unusual smaller size George II style / Chippendale style mahogany chest on chest. Exceptional
Category

19th Century English George II Antique Commode Chest

Materials

Mahogany

Small English George II Style Mahogany Chest on Chest
Small English George II Style Mahogany Chest on Chest

Small English George II Style Mahogany Chest on Chest

$2,950
Antique Bombay Chest
Located in Nashville, TN
This is a lovely antique Bombay chest! This piece dates to the late 18th century and has lovely
Category

1780s Antique Commode Chest

Materials

Hardwood

Antique Bombay Chest
Antique Bombay Chest

Antique Bombay Chest

$3,975
19th Century French Empire Mahogany Commode
Located in Southall, GB
A fantastic quality 19th Century Empire mahogany and ormolu commode with marble top. This commode
Category

19th Century Antique Commode Chest

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

19th Century French Empire Mahogany Commode
19th Century French Empire Mahogany Commode

19th Century French Empire Mahogany Commode

$17,115
18th Century French Provençal Bow Front Commode
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
A lovely 18th Century French Provençal bow front commode. Made from a charming mix of walnut, elm
Category

18th Century French Antique Commode Chest

Materials

Cherry, Elm, Walnut

18th Century French Provençal Bow Front Commode
18th Century French Provençal Bow Front Commode

18th Century French Provençal Bow Front Commode

$4,039
Late 19th Century Italian Painted Commode
Located in Rochester, NY
19th century painted two-drawer commode. Original painted surfaces. Wonderful color and a great
Category

19th Century European Antique Commode Chest

Materials

Wood, Paint

Late 19th Century Italian Painted Commode
Late 19th Century Italian Painted Commode

Late 19th Century Italian Painted Commode

$3,800
French 19th C. Painted Wood Neoclassical Commode
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Neoclassical painted wood commode from the 19th century. This antique chest from France
Category

19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Commode Chest

Materials

Wood

French 19th C. Painted Wood Neoclassical Commode
French 19th C. Painted Wood Neoclassical Commode

French 19th C. Painted Wood Neoclassical Commode

$5,320
19th Century Louis Philippe Commode
Located in Berlin, DE
Solid wood, straight body, three drawers with two bronze handles each. Slightly overlapping profiled cover plate. Lock and key available. (D-73)
Category

19th Century German Louis Philippe Antique Commode Chest

19th Century Louis Philippe Commode
19th Century Louis Philippe Commode

19th Century Louis Philippe Commode

$710
Early George III Burr Yew Chest on Chest
Located in London, GB
Having highly unusual diamond shaped veneers, with brushing slide and canted corners on bracket feet Additional information: Dimension: Height: 184 cm, 72 1/2″ Width: 101 cm, 39 3/4...
Category

Late 18th Century George III Antique Commode Chest

Materials

Yew

Early George III Burr Yew Chest on Chest
Early George III Burr Yew Chest on Chest

Early George III Burr Yew Chest on Chest

$46,554
Fine 19th Century Swedish Empire Mahogany Commode
Located in Allerum, SE
Fine 19th century Swedish empire mahogany commode / desk with an limestone top containing fossils
Category

19th Century Swedish Empire Antique Commode Chest

Materials

Limestone, Brass

Fine 19th Century Swedish Empire Mahogany Commode
Fine 19th Century Swedish Empire Mahogany Commode

Fine 19th Century Swedish Empire Mahogany Commode

$14,800
Louis XVI 18th Century French Fruitwood Commode
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Late 18th Century French fruitwood 3 drawer commode with a thick marble top. 1790
Category

18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Commode Chest

Materials

Marble, Brass

Louis XVI 18th Century French Fruitwood Commode
Louis XVI 18th Century French Fruitwood Commode

Louis XVI 18th Century French Fruitwood Commode

$4,587
Antique George III Mahogany Chest on Chest Secretaire 18th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a beautiful antique George III flame mahogany secretaire chest on chest, circa 1770 in date
Category

Late 18th Century English George III Antique Commode Chest

Materials

Mahogany

Antique George III Mahogany Chest on Chest Secretaire 18th Century
Antique George III Mahogany Chest on Chest Secretaire 18th Century

Antique George III Mahogany Chest on Chest Secretaire 18th Century

$3,902
Louis XV/XVI Transitional Satinwood Commode
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Louis XV/XVI transitional period commode is satinwood and serpentine in form standing on elegant
Category

18th Century French Louis XV Antique Commode Chest

Materials

Marble

Louis XV/XVI Transitional Satinwood Commode
Louis XV/XVI Transitional Satinwood Commode

Louis XV/XVI Transitional Satinwood Commode

$4,600
18th Century Louis XV Walnut Commode
Located in High Point, NC
Superb quality 18th century period Louis XV two drawer commode. The top has scalloped and shaped
Category

18th Century French Louis XV Antique Commode Chest

Materials

Brass

18th Century Louis XV Walnut Commode
18th Century Louis XV Walnut Commode

18th Century Louis XV Walnut Commode

$14,500
18th Century Swedish Painted Rococo Commode
Located in San Angelo, TX
A beautiful late 18th century Swedish commode from the Rococo period with original brass hardware
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Commode Chest

Materials

Wood, Paint

18th Century Swedish Painted Rococo Commode
18th Century Swedish Painted Rococo Commode

18th Century Swedish Painted Rococo Commode

$4,700
19thC French Faux Bamboo Apprentice Commode
Located in Staffordshire, GB
Circa 1880 19thC French Faux Bamboo Apprentice Fruitwood Commode with Carrara Marble Top sku 944
Category

1880s French Antique Commode Chest

Materials

Carrara Marble

19thC French Faux Bamboo Apprentice Commode
19thC French Faux Bamboo Apprentice Commode

19thC French Faux Bamboo Apprentice Commode

$2,259
19th Century French Transitional Mahogany Commode
Located in Forney, TX
A stunning, finely detailed transitional Louis XV - Louis XVI style, mahogany inlaid chest of
Category

19th Century French Antique Commode Chest

Materials

Marble, Brass, Bronze, Ormolu

19th Century French Transitional Mahogany Commode
19th Century French Transitional Mahogany Commode

19th Century French Transitional Mahogany Commode

$2,800
Georgian 18th Century Mahogany Tallboy or Chest on Chest
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A very good quality and charming mid-18th century mahogany chest on chest, or tallboy, having
Category

Mid-18th Century English Chippendale Antique Commode Chest

Materials

Mahogany

Georgian 18th Century Mahogany Tallboy or Chest on Chest
Georgian 18th Century Mahogany Tallboy or Chest on Chest

Georgian 18th Century Mahogany Tallboy or Chest on Chest

$9,379
A George III Serpentine Mahogany Commode
Located in London, GB
An elegant serpentine fronted commode in well figured mahogany bordered with box and rosewood above
Category

Early 19th Century British Regency Antique Commode Chest

Materials

Mahogany

A George III Serpentine Mahogany Commode
A George III Serpentine Mahogany Commode

A George III Serpentine Mahogany Commode

$5,648 Sale Price
44% Off
18thC French Provincial Serpentine Walnut Commode
Located in Staffordshire, GB
Circa 1750 18thC French Provincial Walnut Commode with Serpentine Shaped Top, Drawers & Marquetry
Category

1750s French Antique Commode Chest

Materials

Walnut

18thC French Provincial Serpentine Walnut Commode
18thC French Provincial Serpentine Walnut Commode

18thC French Provincial Serpentine Walnut Commode

$9,242
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Antique Commode Chest For Sale on 1stDibs

At 1stDibs, there are many versions of the ideal antique commode chest for your home. An antique commode chest — often made from wood, metal and walnut — can elevate any home. There are many kinds of the antique commode chest you’re looking for, from those produced as long ago as the 18th Century to those made as recently as the 20th Century. An antique commode chest, designed in the Georgian, Louis XVI or Louis XV style, is generally a popular piece of furniture. You’ll likely find more than one antique commode chest that is appealing in its simplicity, but Maison Jansen, Europa Antiques and Paul Sormani produced versions that are worth a look.

How Much is a Antique Commode Chest?

Prices for an antique commode chest start at $1 and top out at $845,000 with the average selling for $4,985.

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.

Questions About Antique Commode Chest
  • How can you tell if a chest is antique?
    1 Answer
    1stDibs ExpertSeptember 9, 2024
    To tell if a chest is antique, first examine its materials and details carefully. An antique chest is one produced 100 years ago or more. This generally predates the use of engineered wood, particleboard, plastics and other synthetic materials. As a result, an antique chest usually features solid wood construction.

    In addition, antique chests are likely to be handmade, so you should be able to spot subtle signs that indicate this, such as tool marks and small irregularities in any carvings. If a piece looks flawless and regular, it is unlikely to be antique. Locating a maker's mark and then researching when the manufacturer was active can also help you date your chest. Alternatively, you can use the services of a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer to learn more about your chest.

    On 1stDibs, shop a large selection of antique chests.
  • How do I identify an antique chest of drawers?
    1 Answer
    1stDibs ExpertNovember 4, 2024
    To identify an antique chest of drawers, look inside and beneath drawers and on the back and bottom for any type of maker's marking. Researching these marks using trusted online resources may allow you to determine who produced your chest and roughly date your piece. If your chest is at least 100 years old, it is an antique. Should you be unable to locate the maker's marks, look at the hardware. Rose head nails, one-piece cast brass pommels on the drawer handles and circular rather than hexagonal bolts may all indicate that a piece is an antique. Keep in mind that hardware may have been replaced at some point and that there are many reproductions of antique furnishings. As a result, you may wish to have a certified appraiser or experienced antique dealer complete the identification process if you're unable to identify your chest via the maker's markings. Find a range of antique chests of drawers on 1stDibs.

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