Used Commodes
1950s French Directoire Used Commodes
Griotte Marble, Bronze
Late 19th Century Unknown Rococo Used Commodes
Wood, Burl
1730s French Rococo Used Commodes
Walnut
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Used Commodes
Marble, Bronze
18th Century Italian Used Commodes
Ormolu
19th Century Louis XVI Used Commodes
Marble, Bronze
Early 19th Century French Louis XV Used Commodes
Marble, Brass
1970s Used Commodes
Wood
Early 1900s French Louis XV Used Commodes
Marble
Mid-19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Used Commodes
Brass
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Used Commodes
Oak
Late 18th Century English Georgian Used Commodes
Satinwood
Early 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Used Commodes
Ash, Maple
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Used Commodes
Cherry, Spruce
2010s Philippine Georgian Used Commodes
Leather, Walnut
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Used Commodes
Wood
1720s French Regency Used Commodes
Bronze
19th Century Italian Neoclassical Used Commodes
Wood
Late 20th Century American Louis XV Used Commodes
Brass
1860s French Used Commodes
Kingwood
Late 20th Century American Louis XV Used Commodes
Brass
19th Century French Used Commodes
Wood
1960s Swedish Gustavian Used Commodes
Marble, Brass
19th Century French Louis Philippe Used Commodes
Marble
19th Century French Louis Philippe Used Commodes
Marble
18th Century Dutch Rococo Used Commodes
Pine
19th Century French Louis XV Used Commodes
Marble, Bronze
Mid-19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Used Commodes
Brass
Early 1900s Swedish Used Commodes
Paint
2010s European Industrial Used Commodes
Metal
19th Century Eastlake Used Commodes
Walnut, Burl
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Used Commodes
Animal Skin
Mid-19th Century French Régence Used Commodes
Wood, Palisander
Late 20th Century French Neoclassical Used Commodes
Limestone, Metal
18th Century French Used Commodes
Wood
1880s French Napoleon III Used Commodes
Marble, Bronze
19th Century French Empire Used Commodes
Carrara Marble
20th Century French Louis XIV Used Commodes
Marble, Ormolu
Early 19th Century Italian Neoclassical Used Commodes
Walnut
20th Century American Georgian Used Commodes
Brass
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Used Commodes
Ormolu
19th Century Belgian Rococo Used Commodes
Marble, Ormolu
19th Century Italian Used Commodes
Bone, Ebony
Early 20th Century American Hepplewhite Used Commodes
Brass
Early 19th Century Italian Rococo Used Commodes
Walnut
1950s French Mid-Century Modern Used Commodes
Pine
Early 1900s French Louis XV Used Commodes
Marble
18th Century French Louis XV Used Commodes
Bronze
20th Century Used Commodes
Marble
20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Used Commodes
Mahogany
1980s French Mid-Century Modern Used Commodes
Brass
18th Century French Louis XV Used Commodes
Brass
1960s American French Provincial Used Commodes
Walnut
Late 18th Century Dutch Neoclassical Used Commodes
Brass
1890s French Louis Philippe Used Commodes
Walnut
1890s French Louis XVI Used Commodes
Onyx, Brass
Early 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Used Commodes
Brass
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Used Commodes For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are Used Commodes?
Finding the Right Commodes And 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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