Used Commodes
Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Used Commodes
Marble, Bronze
Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Used Commodes
Walnut
Mid-20th Century French French Provincial Used Commodes
Marble, Bronze
1850s Austrian Biedermeier Used Commodes
Bronze
Early 19th Century Italian Used Commodes
Walnut
1970s Unknown Hollywood Regency Used Commodes
Brass
1740s French Louis XV Used Commodes
Marble, Ormolu
2010s Italian Art Deco Used Commodes
Crystal, Aluminum
Late 19th Century Italian Rococo Used Commodes
Brass
18th Century French Used Commodes
Cherry
1750s French Louis XV Used Commodes
Marble, Bronze
Early 19th Century Italian Empire Used Commodes
Marble
1940s American Art Deco Used Commodes
Brass
Early 19th Century English George III Used Commodes
Softwood
Late 20th Century Italian Louis XV Used Commodes
Brass
Late 18th Century English Georgian Used Commodes
Brass
Mid-20th Century American French Provincial Used Commodes
Brass
19th Century French Empire Used Commodes
Marble
Early 19th Century French Empire Used Commodes
Marble, Ormolu
Mid-20th Century Spanish Used Commodes
Wicker
Mid-19th Century European Used Commodes
Walnut
1980s American Louis XV Used Commodes
Brass
19th Century Italian Neoclassical Used Commodes
Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Louis XVI Used Commodes
Satinwood
Late 20th Century American Baroque Used Commodes
Pine
1760s French Louis XV Used Commodes
Marble, Bronze
1970s Philippine Organic Modern Used Commodes
Bamboo, Cane, Mahogany
1920s French Louis XVI Used Commodes
Carrara Marble, Bronze
19th Century French Louis XV Used Commodes
Marble, Ormolu
1980s American Queen Anne Used Commodes
Brass
Mid-19th Century French Louis XVI Used Commodes
Marble, Bronze
19th Century French Louis XV Used Commodes
Marble, Bronze
19th Century French Louis XV Used Commodes
Marble, Bronze
18th Century Italian Louis XIV Used Commodes
Walnut
Early 19th Century French Louis XVI Used Commodes
Wood
1930s Hungarian Art Deco Used Commodes
Walnut
19th Century French Napoleon III Used Commodes
Marble, Bronze
19th Century French Louis Philippe Used Commodes
Marble, Stone, Metal, Brass
1890s French Louis XV Used Commodes
Wood
Mid-19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Used Commodes
Brass
Early 1900s English Adam Style Used Commodes
Satinwood
Late 18th Century English Hepplewhite Used Commodes
Brass
Late 18th Century Swedish Baroque Used Commodes
Pine
19th Century French Used Commodes
Breccia Marble, Ormolu
Mid-20th Century French Louis XIV Used Commodes
Brass
19th Century French Louis XV Used Commodes
Walnut
1890s French Empire Used Commodes
Mahogany
18th Century French Louis XIV Used Commodes
Walnut, Burl
18th Century French Used Commodes
Oak
1860s Italian Louis XVI Used Commodes
Wood
1820s Italian Rococo Used Commodes
Bronze
Mid-18th Century Italian Rococo Used Commodes
Walnut
18th Century French Louis XV Used Commodes
Wood, Walnut
20th Century Biedermeier Used Commodes
Wood, Spruce, Maple
1780s French Louis XVI Used Commodes
Cherry
Early 20th Century French Directoire Used Commodes
Walnut
Late 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Used Commodes
Birch
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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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