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Antique German Chests

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Pennsylvania Polychrome and Eagle Decorated Pine Blanket Chest
Located in New Hope, PA
: For another chest by this maker and decorator, see Fabian, "The Pennsylvania-German Decorated Chest
Category

Early 19th Century American Folk Art Antique German Chests

Materials

Pine

Antique Pennsylvania Polychrome and Eagle Decorated Pine Blanket Chest
Pennsylvania Polychrome and Eagle Decorated Pine Blanket Chest

Pennsylvania Polychrome and Eagle Decorated Pine Blanket Chest

$46,800
Red-Painted and Polychrome-Decorated Panelled Blanket Chest
Located in New Hope, PA
Jersey collector Literature: Fabian, The Pennsylvania-German Decorated Chest (1978), p. 215, fig. 249
Category

Mid-19th Century American Folk Art Antique German Chests

Materials

Maple, Poplar, Paint

Antique Red-Painted and Polychrome-Decorated Panelled Blanket Chest
Red-Painted and Polychrome-Decorated Panelled Blanket Chest

Red-Painted and Polychrome-Decorated Panelled Blanket Chest

$55,000
18thc. German Chest
Located in Los Angeles, CA
!8thc. German oak chest make with wide oak planks.Original iron hinges and lock. FOR OUR COMPLETE
Category

18th Century and Earlier German Antique German Chests

Materials

Iron

Antique 18thc. German Chest
18thc. German Chest

18thc. German Chest

$11,385
18th Century South German Chest
Located in Dallas, TX
Sensational 18th century south German walnut four-drawer chest. Having lovely delicate inlays on
Category

18th Century German Antique German Chests

Materials

Walnut

Antique 18th Century South German Chest
18th Century South German Chest

18th Century South German Chest

$5,280
North German Chest of Drawer with Hoof Foot in Crotch Mahogany, circa 1845
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
Beautiful North German chest of drawer with a typical "hoof foot" found in the Hamburg Schleswig
Category

Mid-19th Century German Louis Philippe Antique German Chests

Materials

Mahogany

Antique North German Chest of Drawer with Hoof Foot in Crotch Mahogany, circa 1845
North German Chest of Drawer with Hoof Foot in Crotch Mahogany, circa 1845

North German Chest of Drawer with Hoof Foot in Crotch Mahogany, circa 1845

$5,400
19th Century Inlaid German Chest of Drawers
Located in Wiscasset, ME
Beautiful inlay work
Category

19th Century German Antique German Chests

Antique 19th Century Inlaid German Chest of Drawers
19th Century Inlaid German Chest of Drawers

19th Century Inlaid German Chest of Drawers

$5,800
Paint Decorated 19th Century German Chest of Drawers
Located in Wiscasset, ME
faux painting well executed, very solid piece
Category

19th Century German Antique German Chests

Antique Paint Decorated 19th Century German Chest of Drawers
Paint Decorated 19th Century German Chest of Drawers

Paint Decorated 19th Century German Chest of Drawers

$4,800
German Chest of Drawers made of Ash, circa 1850
Located in Dusseldorf, DE
Rare large antique chest of drawers with 4 drawers made of solid ash, from circa 1850
Category

19th Century German Biedermeier Antique German Chests

Materials

Ash

Antique German Chest of Drawers made of Ash, circa 1850
German Chest of Drawers made of Ash, circa 1850

German Chest of Drawers made of Ash, circa 1850

$2,848
Early 19th Century German Chests of Drawers Brown Walnut Biedermeier, 1820s
Located in Berlin, DE
This beautiful Biedermeier commode with three drawers was made circa 1820 in South Germany. The
Category

1820s German Biedermeier Antique German Chests

Materials

Walnut, Pine

Antique Early 19th Century German Chests of Drawers Brown Walnut Biedermeier, 1820s
Early 19th Century German Chests of Drawers Brown Walnut Biedermeier, 1820s

Early 19th Century German Chests of Drawers Brown Walnut Biedermeier, 1820s

$3,797
Early 19th Century German Chests of Drawers Brown Walnut Biedermeier , 1820
Located in Berlin, DE
This beautiful Biedermeier commode was made circa 1820 in South Germany. Probably made by the
Category

1820s German Biedermeier Antique German Chests

Materials

Walnut, Pine

Early 19th Century German Chests of Drawers Brown Walnut Biedermeier , 1820
Early 19th Century German Chests of Drawers Brown Walnut Biedermeier , 1820

Early 19th Century German Chests of Drawers Brown Walnut Biedermeier , 1820

$4,984
Early 19th Century German Chests of Drawers Brown Walnut Biedermeier, 1820s
Located in Berlin, DE
This beautiful Biedermeier commode with three drawers was made circa 1820 in South Germany. The
Category

1820s German Biedermeier Antique German Chests

Materials

Walnut, Pine

Early 19th Century German Chests of Drawers Brown Walnut Biedermeier, 1820s
Early 19th Century German Chests of Drawers Brown Walnut Biedermeier, 1820s

Early 19th Century German Chests of Drawers Brown Walnut Biedermeier, 1820s

$3,797
19th Century German Chest/Commode in Rosewood with Exotic Marble Top
Located in Houston, TX
Unique and handsome rosewood chest of drawers with a marble top in shades of gold and amber
Category

Mid-19th Century German Antique German Chests

Materials

Rosewood

19th Century German Chest/Commode in Rosewood with Exotic Marble Top
19th Century German Chest/Commode in Rosewood with Exotic Marble Top

19th Century German Chest/Commode in Rosewood with Exotic Marble Top

German Chest of Drawers in Pine with Original Nickle Plated Hardware, c.1890
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
German Gründerzeit 4 drawer Chest of Drawers in Pine with Original Nickle Plated Hardware and Feet
Category

19th Century German Antique German Chests

German Chest of Drawers in Pine with Original Nickle Plated Hardware, c.1890
German Chest of Drawers in Pine with Original Nickle Plated Hardware, c.1890

German Chest of Drawers in Pine with Original Nickle Plated Hardware, c.1890

$1,800
German Walnut 18th Century Chest of Drawers
Located in Brussels, BE
Beautiful German chest of drawers from the 18th century.
Category

18th Century German Baroque Antique German Chests

Materials

Wood

German Walnut 18th Century Chest of Drawers
German Walnut 18th Century Chest of Drawers

German Walnut 18th Century Chest of Drawers

$11,867
German Serpentine front Chest of Drawers 18th century
Located in Charleston, SC
Painted German chest of drawers with three curvaceous outline deep drawers supported by ball feet
Category

18th Century and Earlier German Baroque Antique German Chests

Materials

Bronze

German Serpentine front Chest of Drawers 18th century
German Serpentine front Chest of Drawers 18th century

German Serpentine front Chest of Drawers 18th century

$6,800
Mid-18th Century Baroque Chest
Located in Charleston, SC
Painted German chest of drawers with three curvaceous outline deep drawers supported with
Category

Mid-18th Century German Baroque Antique German Chests

Materials

Oak

Mid-18th Century Baroque Chest
Mid-18th Century Baroque Chest

Mid-18th Century Baroque Chest

$6,500
18th Century Painted Chest
Located in Charleston, SC
Handsome 18th century German chest of drawers with elegantly proportioned detailed drawer fronts
Category

Late 18th Century German Antique German Chests

Materials

Oak

18th Century Painted Chest
18th Century Painted Chest

18th Century Painted Chest

$5,100
Early 19th Century Biedermeier Painted Chest of Drawers
Located in Charleston, SC
Early 19th century German chest of drawers from Biedermeier period 1830 with refinished hand
Category

Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique German Chests

Materials

Pine, Paint

Early 19th Century Biedermeier Painted Chest of Drawers
Early 19th Century Biedermeier Painted Chest of Drawers

Early 19th Century Biedermeier Painted Chest of Drawers

$4,200
Early 19th Century Painted Chest of Drawers
Located in Charleston, SC
Early 19th century German chest of drawers with super colors. circa 1820, Germany. Here are few
Category

Early 19th Century German Antique German Chests

Materials

Oak

Early 19th Century Painted Chest of Drawers
Early 19th Century Painted Chest of Drawers

Early 19th Century Painted Chest of Drawers

$5,400
18th C. German Baroque Period Serpentine Front Commode in Original Patina
Located in Wichita, KS
An 18th c. German chest of drawers from the Baroque period wearing its original, natural patina
Category

18th Century German Baroque Antique German Chests

Materials

Wood

18th C. German Baroque Period Serpentine Front Commode in Original Patina
18th C. German Baroque Period Serpentine Front Commode in Original Patina

18th C. German Baroque Period Serpentine Front Commode in Original Patina

$11,800
18th c. German Baroque Commode in Original Patina with Arbalette Shaped Front
Located in Wichita, KS
A German chest of drawers from the 18th century in original, natural pine with traces of original
Category

18th Century German Baroque Antique German Chests

Materials

Pine

18th c. German Baroque Commode in Original Patina with Arbalette Shaped Front
18th c. German Baroque Commode in Original Patina with Arbalette Shaped Front

18th c. German Baroque Commode in Original Patina with Arbalette Shaped Front

$12,800
Biedermeier Walnut Chest of Drawers
By Biedermeier
Located in Bradenton, FL
19th Century Biedermeier Walnut Chest of Drawers made in Germany. Chest features three drawers with
Category

19th Century German Biedermeier Antique German Chests

Materials

Wood

Biedermeier Walnut Chest of Drawers
Biedermeier Walnut Chest of Drawers

Biedermeier Walnut Chest of Drawers

$3,800
Pine Chest of Drawers
Located in Baltimore, MD
late nineteenth century German chest. The elaborate brass pulls are period but there are indications
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique German Chests

Materials

Pine

Pine Chest of Drawers
Pine Chest of Drawers

Pine Chest of Drawers

$1,895
1800s German Oak Chest
Located in High Point, NC
Distinctive carving lends this oak chest from Germany, circa 1800, a unique appeal. This antique
Category

Late 18th Century German Neoclassical Antique German Chests

Materials

Iron

1800s German Oak Chest
1800s German Oak Chest

1800s German Oak Chest

$3,995
German Wedding Chest from 1820
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
German wedding chest made for one Heinrich and Hedigee in 1820. These chests were typically part of
Category

1820s German Rustic Antique German Chests

Materials

Iron

German Wedding Chest from 1820
German Wedding Chest from 1820

German Wedding Chest from 1820

$1,180
1780s German Bleached Oak Chest
Located in High Point, NC
A beautiful bleached oak chest, from circa 1780 Germany. Refined in its old age, this rustic yet
Category

Late 18th Century German Rustic Antique German Chests

Materials

Iron

1780s German Bleached Oak Chest
1780s German Bleached Oak Chest

1780s German Bleached Oak Chest

$2,997
Early 19th Century German Oak Chest
Located in Dusseldorf, DE
Pure German provincial chest from the early 19th century. Rectangular oak body panelled on three
Category

Early 19th Century German Antique German Chests

Materials

Oak

Early 19th Century German Oak Chest
Early 19th Century German Oak Chest

Early 19th Century German Oak Chest

$3,322
18th Century German Baroque Oak Chest
Located in Dusseldorf, DE
A provincial west German/ Lower Rhine baroque chest from the 18th century. Made of solid oak
Category

18th Century German Baroque Antique German Chests

Materials

Iron

18th Century German Baroque Oak Chest
18th Century German Baroque Oak Chest

18th Century German Baroque Oak Chest

$3,322
18th Century, German, Baroque Oak Chest
Located in Dusseldorf, DE
Authentic flat-lidded chest from the German/Belgian border region around 1700. Solidly made of
Category

Early 18th Century German Baroque Antique German Chests

Materials

Iron

18th Century, German, Baroque Oak Chest
18th Century, German, Baroque Oak Chest

18th Century, German, Baroque Oak Chest

$4,034
Important 15th c. German Gothic Chest
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
Rectangular standing chest with full-height stiles, extensively mounted with long ironwork straps
Category

18th Century and Earlier German Gothic Antique German Chests

Materials

Wrought Iron

Important 15th c. German Gothic Chest
Important 15th c. German Gothic Chest

Important 15th c. German Gothic Chest

German Baroque Chest of Drawers
Located in Brussels, BE
German baroque chest of drawers.
Category

17th Century German Baroque Antique German Chests

Materials

Wood

German Baroque Chest of Drawers
German Baroque Chest of Drawers

German Baroque Chest of Drawers

$9,731
Northern German Biedermeier Mahogany Chest
Located in Dallas, TX
Northern German Biedermeier chest of crotch mahogany with columnar corners
Category

19th Century German Biedermeier Antique German Chests

Materials

Mahogany

Northern German Biedermeier Mahogany Chest
Northern German Biedermeier Mahogany Chest

Northern German Biedermeier Mahogany Chest

$1,250
Oak German Gründerzeit Carved Wall Cabinet, 1880s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Magnificent and ultra rare Gründerzeit wall cabinet. Striking German design from the 1880s. Solid
Category

1880s German Victorian Antique German Chests

Materials

Brass

Oak German Gründerzeit Carved Wall Cabinet, 1880s
Oak German Gründerzeit Carved Wall Cabinet, 1880s

Oak German Gründerzeit Carved Wall Cabinet, 1880s

$1,364
Large German Painted Blanket Chest Trunk, 1800s
Located in Southampton, NY
Large German Painted Blanket Chest Trunk, 1800s This antique painted wooden trunk features a
Category

Early 19th Century German Antique German Chests

Materials

Wood

Large German Painted Blanket Chest Trunk, 1800s
Large German Painted Blanket Chest Trunk, 1800s

Large German Painted Blanket Chest Trunk, 1800s

$1,800
19th Century German Biedermeier Walnut Chest
Located in Dallas, TX
Handsome 19th century German Biedermeier black walnut chest. Beautiful finish and wood grain on
Category

19th Century German Biedermeier Antique German Chests

Materials

Walnut

19th Century German Biedermeier Walnut Chest
19th Century German Biedermeier Walnut Chest

19th Century German Biedermeier Walnut Chest

$6,800
Neoclassical Chest of Drawers, Germany 1780
Located in Belmont, MA
Enhance your home with this exquisite one-of-a-kind German Neoclassical chest of drawers, dating
Category

1780s German Neoclassical Antique German Chests

Materials

Walnut

Neoclassical Chest of Drawers, Germany 1780
Neoclassical Chest of Drawers, Germany 1780

Neoclassical Chest of Drawers, Germany 1780

$11,000
Biedermeier Chest of Drawers, Germany, 1830
Located in Greding, DE
Tall Biedermeier chest of drawers or semainiere with six drawers from Germany, circa 1830. The
Category

1830s German Biedermeier Antique German Chests

Materials

Walnut

Biedermeier Chest of Drawers, Germany, 1830
Biedermeier Chest of Drawers, Germany, 1830

Biedermeier Chest of Drawers, Germany, 1830

$6,645
Chip-Carved German Pennsylvania Blanket Chest
Located in Austin, TX
German Pennsylvania also known as Pennsylvania Dutch dowry chest, blanket chest or coffer. Large
Category

Early 18th Century Antique German Chests

Materials

Wood

Chip-Carved German Pennsylvania Blanket Chest
Chip-Carved German Pennsylvania Blanket Chest

Chip-Carved German Pennsylvania Blanket Chest

$2,650
Chest of Drawers, Germany, 19th Century
Located in Wrocław, Poland
This eclectic chest of drawers comes from Germany from circa 19th century. The piece of furniture
Category

19th Century German Antique German Chests

Materials

Wood, Walnut

Chest of Drawers, Germany, 19th Century
Chest of Drawers, Germany, 19th Century

Chest of Drawers, Germany, 19th Century

$2,124
German Burl Walnut Chest
Located in Dallas, TX
Handsome 18th century South German shaped front burl walnut chest. Circa 1820.Perfect for today's
Category

18th Century Antique German Chests

Materials

Walnut

German Burl Walnut Chest
German Burl Walnut Chest

German Burl Walnut Chest

$7,400
18th Century German Painted Serpentine Chest
Located in New Orleans, LA
This 18th-century German painted serpentine chest is a stunning and highly collectible piece of
Category

18th Century German Antique German Chests

Materials

Wood

18th Century German Painted Serpentine Chest
18th Century German Painted Serpentine Chest

18th Century German Painted Serpentine Chest

$7,250
1820s German Biedermeier Chest Of Drawers
Located in Greven, DE
Dimensions: H x W x D: 85 x 97 x 46 cm Small Biedermeier chest of drawers in ash veneer with
Category

1820s German Biedermeier Antique German Chests

Materials

Ash

1820s German Biedermeier Chest Of Drawers
1820s German Biedermeier Chest Of Drawers

1820s German Biedermeier Chest Of Drawers

$2,966
German Mahogany Biedermeier Chest, circa 1820
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
An excellent and very elegant example of this German mahogany Biedermeier chest, circa 1820. It has
Category

Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique German Chests

Materials

Alabaster

German Mahogany Biedermeier Chest, circa 1820
German Mahogany Biedermeier Chest, circa 1820

German Mahogany Biedermeier Chest, circa 1820

$5,682
Antique Oak Chest with Round Lid, Germany, 1700s
Located in Dusseldorf, DE
Original antique round lid chest of solid oak, circa 18th century. Inside with a shelf, which of
Category

18th Century German Rustic Antique German Chests

Materials

Wrought Iron

Antique Oak Chest with Round Lid, Germany, 1700s
Antique Oak Chest with Round Lid, Germany, 1700s

Antique Oak Chest with Round Lid, Germany, 1700s

$961
Antique German Pine Blanket Chest with Original Paint
Located in Centennial, CO
Antique late 19th century German or Eastern European pine blanket chest with original paint
Category

Late 19th Century German Folk Art Antique German Chests

Materials

Iron

Antique German Pine Blanket Chest with Original Paint
Antique German Pine Blanket Chest with Original Paint

Antique German Pine Blanket Chest with Original Paint

$1,165
Biedermeier Chest of Drawers, Germany, 1820s
Located in Greding, DE
Biedermeier chest of drawers with flamed birchwood veneer in the typical style of Berlin, with half
Category

1820s German Biedermeier Antique German Chests

Materials

Birch

Biedermeier Chest of Drawers, Germany, 1820s
Biedermeier Chest of Drawers, Germany, 1820s

Biedermeier Chest of Drawers, Germany, 1820s

$4,984
Biedermeier Chests of Drawers, German, 1820s
Located in Greding, DE
Pair of seven-drawer chests on low feet with lateral pilasters and a slightly protruding cornice at
Category

1820s German Biedermeier Antique German Chests

Materials

Walnut

Biedermeier Chests of Drawers, German, 1820s
Biedermeier Chests of Drawers, German, 1820s

Biedermeier Chests of Drawers, German, 1820s

$20,174
Biedermeier Trumeau Chest, Germany, circa 1825
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
This absolute outstanding Biedermeier trumeau chest was made in South Germany, circa 1825
Category

Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique German Chests

Materials

Burl

Biedermeier Trumeau Chest, Germany, circa 1825
Biedermeier Trumeau Chest, Germany, circa 1825

Biedermeier Trumeau Chest, Germany, circa 1825

$7,450
19th Century German Serpentine Painted Chest
Located in Winter Park, FL
A 19th century German serpentine front polychrome painted chest having three drawers, each with a
Category

19th Century German Baroque Antique German Chests

Materials

Wood, Paint

19th Century German Serpentine Painted Chest
19th Century German Serpentine Painted Chest

19th Century German Serpentine Painted Chest

$4,750
Pine Chest of Three Drawers, Germany
Located in Baltimore, MD
A beveled molding is applied to the front and sides of the top of this interesting chest of drawers
Category

Early 20th Century German Country Antique German Chests

Materials

Pine

Pine Chest of Three Drawers, Germany
Pine Chest of Three Drawers, Germany

Pine Chest of Three Drawers, Germany

$1,695
A German Biedermeier Walnut 3-Drawer Chest
Located in San Francisco, CA
A handsome German biedermeier walnut-veneered 3-drawer chest with ebonized highlights
Category

19th Century German Antique German Chests

A German Biedermeier Walnut 3-Drawer Chest
A German Biedermeier Walnut 3-Drawer Chest

A German Biedermeier Walnut 3-Drawer Chest

$7,800
Pine Chest of Four Drawers, Germany
Located in Baltimore, MD
This handsome little pine chest of four drawers has a step-down routed edge to the top and fluting
Category

Late 19th Century German Victorian Antique German Chests

Materials

Pine

Pine Chest of Four Drawers, Germany
Pine Chest of Four Drawers, Germany

Pine Chest of Four Drawers, Germany

$1,595
German Biedermeier Walnut Chest of Drawers
Located in Hudson, NY
Architectural form with disengaged columns and three drawers, with lock and key.
Category

1820s German Biedermeier Antique German Chests

Materials

Walnut

German Biedermeier Walnut Chest of Drawers
German Biedermeier Walnut Chest of Drawers

German Biedermeier Walnut Chest of Drawers

$13,500
German 18th Century Walnut Chest of Drawers
Located in Brussels, BE
German 18th century walnut chest of drawers.
Category

18th Century German Antique German Chests

German 18th Century Walnut Chest of Drawers
German 18th Century Walnut Chest of Drawers

German 18th Century Walnut Chest of Drawers

$9,493
18th Century German Walnut Chest of Drawers
Located in Brussels, BE
18th Century German Walnut Chest of Drawers
Category

18th Century German Antique German Chests

Materials

Walnut

18th Century German Walnut Chest of Drawers
18th Century German Walnut Chest of Drawers

18th Century German Walnut Chest of Drawers

$6,764
Walnut Chest Of Drawers - Germany 18th Century
Located in Brussels, BE
Walnut Chest Of Drawers - Germany 18th Century
Category

18th Century German Louis XVI Antique German Chests

Materials

Wood

Walnut Chest Of Drawers - Germany 18th Century
Walnut Chest Of Drawers - Germany 18th Century

Walnut Chest Of Drawers - Germany 18th Century

$6,408
Biedermeier Chests of Drawers, North German, 1820s
Located in Greding, DE
Pair of North German Biedermeier chests of drawers with three drawers, octagonal filling and
Category

1820s German Biedermeier Antique German Chests

Materials

Wood

Biedermeier Chests of Drawers, North German, 1820s
Biedermeier Chests of Drawers, North German, 1820s

Biedermeier Chests of Drawers, North German, 1820s

$8,900
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Antique German Chests For Sale on 1stDibs

Find a variety of antique German chests available on 1stDibs. Frequently made of wood, metal and oak, all antique German chests available were constructed with great care. Antique German chests have long been popular, with older editions for sale from the 18th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 20th Century. Antique German chests bearing Baroque or Folk Art hallmarks are very popular at 1stDibs.

How Much are Antique German Chests?

The average selling price for at 1stDibs is $2,940, while they’re typically $440 on the low end and $18,000 highest priced.

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 German Chests
  • 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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