French Empire Chest
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
Antique Mid-19th Century French Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
Antique 1890s French Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Bronze
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Bronze
Antique 19th Century French Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
Antique 1810s French Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
Antique Mid-19th Century French Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany, Oak
Antique 1860s French Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Antique 1880s French Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
Antique 1880s French Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
Antique 1880s French Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
Antique 1880s French Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
Antique 1880s French Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
Antique 19th Century French Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
Antique Mid-19th Century French Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Bronze
Antique 1880s French Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Vintage 1980s Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
Antique 1810s French Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Cherry
Antique Late 19th Century French Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century French Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
Antique 1810s French Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Bronze
Antique 19th Century French Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
Antique 19th Century French Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Granite, Brass
Antique 19th Century French Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
Antique 1890s Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Cherry
Antique 19th Century French Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Bronze
Antique 19th Century French Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Antique Early 1800s French Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
Antique 1860s French Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Ormolu
Antique Mid-19th Century French Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Antique 1820s French Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Antique 1810s French Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Antique Early 1800s French Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal, Ormolu
20th Century French Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Bronze
Antique 1820s French Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Oak
Antique 19th Century French Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
Antique 1820s French Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Bronze
Antique 19th Century French French Provincial Commodes and Chests of Dra...
Wood
Antique 19th Century French Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
Antique 19th Century French Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
Vintage 1930s French Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Kingwood
Antique 19th Century French Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Antique 19th Century French Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Cherry
Antique 19th Century French Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
Antique 1880s French Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Bronze
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century North American Empire Blanket Chests
Mahogany
Vintage 1920s Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Ormolu
Antique Late 19th Century French Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century French Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
Vintage 1950s French Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
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French Empire Chest For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a French Empire Chest?
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.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022The Classical world is primarily what influenced French Empire furniture. Greek and Roman motifs appear on many pieces. In addition, the opulence of Egyptian furniture inspired furniture makers active during the period. On 1stDibs, shop a range of French Empire furniture.
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