Pair Bachelor Chests
Vintage 1940s American Chippendale Night Stands
Brass
Vintage 1950s Italian Neoclassical Night Stands
Marble
Vintage 1940s North American Federal Dressers
Mahogany
1990s American George III Night Stands
Mahogany
Vintage 1950s Mid-Century Modern Dressers
Birch
Vintage 1970s American Chinoiserie Cabinets
Brass
Vintage 1960s American Hollywood Regency Night Stands
Walnut
Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
Brass
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
Faux Bamboo
Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
Other
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
Walnut
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
Brass
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
Maple
20th Century American Hollywood Regency Dressers
Brass
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Teak
Vintage 1950s American Directoire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Cherry
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
Brass
Vintage 1980s American Organic Modern Dressers
Ash, Ebony, Macassar, Burl
Vintage 1950s North American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
Walnut
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
Late 20th Century American Hollywood Regency Night Stands
Bamboo, Reed
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
Vintage 1950s American Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
20th Century American Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Vintage 1960s American Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
20th Century American Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Vintage 1960s Danish Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Teak
20th Century American Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
20th Century American Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
20th Century American Louis XVI Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Vintage 1960s American Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Birch
Vintage 1950s American Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
20th Century British Georgian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
20th Century American Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Vintage 1940s American Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
20th Century American Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
20th Century American Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Vintage 1970s American Organic Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bamboo, Wood
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Teak
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Teak
20th Century American Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Mid-20th Century American Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Vintage 1950s American Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Vintage 1970s American Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Vintage 1950s American Cabinets
Chrome
Vintage 1960s American Dressers
Wood, Walnut
Vintage 1960s American Dressers
Paint, Wood
Vintage 1960s American Dressers
Paint, Wood
Mid-20th Century American Hollywood Regency Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Mahogany
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
- 1
Pair Bachelor Chests For Sale on 1stDibs
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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.
- What is a bachelor’s chest?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertJanuary 23, 2019
A bachelor’s chest is a low chest of drawers. Its name comes from the fact that it was originally designed to provide multipurpose storage for a single man with a small living space.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A bachelor’s chest of drawers is a relatively short and shallow chest, usually with three or four drawers. The name refers to their historical use as multi-purpose, space-saving fixtures that are perfect for a bachelor sharing a friend’s flat. On 1stDibs, you’ll find a collection of antique and modern bachelor’s chests from some of the world’s top sellers.
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