Used Commodes
1930s American Used Commodes
Lacquer, Mahogany
1820s Austrian Biedermeier Used Commodes
Bronze
Late 20th Century American French Provincial Used Commodes
Brass
Early 19th Century Czech Biedermeier Used Commodes
Wood, Lacquer, Cherry
Early 20th Century American Victorian Used Commodes
Carrara Marble, Brass
Mid-20th Century Swedish Louis XIV Used Commodes
Pine
18th Century German Used Commodes
Fruitwood, Walnut
18th Century French Louis XV Used Commodes
Walnut
18th Century and Earlier French Used Commodes
19th Century French Empire Used Commodes
Marble
1930s American Art Deco Used Commodes
Wood
20th Century French Art Deco Used Commodes
Marble
Mid-19th Century French Charles X Used Commodes
Marble
1880s Louis XV Used Commodes
Ormolu
Early 1800s Italian Charles X Used Commodes
Walnut
1960s French Louis XV Used Commodes
Rose Quartz, Rosewood
Late 18th Century German Biedermeier Used Commodes
Walnut, Spruce
Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Used Commodes
Serpentine, Bronze
20th Century French Art Deco Used Commodes
Marble, Brass
2010s Italian Modern Used Commodes
Marble, Brass
Early 1900s Swedish Gustavian Used Commodes
Wood
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Used Commodes
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
20th Century French Art Deco Used Commodes
Marble, Brass
1880s Swedish Gustavian Used Commodes
Paint
Early 20th Century French Louis XIV Used Commodes
Brass
Early 20th Century Italian Used Commodes
Wood
Late 19th Century Italian Rococo Revival Used Commodes
Brass
18th Century French Louis XV Used Commodes
Marble, Ormolu
1780s Italian Neoclassical Used Commodes
Brass
19th Century French Used Commodes
Metal, Bronze
19th Century French Louis XV Used Commodes
Malachite, Bronze
1810s French Empire Used Commodes
Marble, Ormolu
18th Century French Louis XV Used Commodes
Marble, Iron
1820s French Louis XV Used Commodes
Marble, Bronze
18th Century Italian Used Commodes
Wood
1930s American Used Commodes
Brass
19th Century French Used Commodes
Marble, Ormolu
Early 18th Century French Régence Used Commodes
Brass
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Used Commodes
Walnut
1880s French Neoclassical Used Commodes
Marble, Bronze
1810s Austrian Empire Used Commodes
Gold Leaf, Iron
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Used Commodes
Marble, Ormolu
1890s French Louis XV Used Commodes
Marble, Bronze
Early 1700s French Country Used Commodes
Oak, Walnut
1970s Italian Modern Used Commodes
Ebony, Walnut, Burl
Early 19th Century Used Commodes
Oak
Late 19th Century Louis XV Used Commodes
Marble, Bronze
Early 2000s American Adam Style Used Commodes
Walnut
18th Century French Louis XV Used Commodes
Brass
Mid-19th Century Swedish Gustavian Used Commodes
Metal, Bronze
1940s French Louis XV Used Commodes
Marble, Bronze
Early 20th Century Used Commodes
Wood, Paint
1980s European Louis XVI Used Commodes
Marble, Bronze
19th Century French Empire Used Commodes
Bronze
1940s French Louis XV Used Commodes
Breccia Marble, Bronze
18th Century French Regency Used Commodes
Brass
20th Century American Neoclassical Used Commodes
Mahogany
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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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