Antique French Chests
1860s French Antique French Chests
Brass
1820s French Antique French Chests
Hardwood
1850s French Mid-Century Modern Antique French Chests
Oak
Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Antique French Chests
Oak, Walnut
Early 20th Century French Rococo Antique French Chests
Oak
19th Century French Antique French Chests
Wood
19th Century French Antique French Chests
Marble, Bronze
19th Century French Napoleon III Antique French Chests
Marble, Bronze
18th Century French Antique French Chests
Bronze
1910s French Louis XVI Antique French Chests
Brass
Early 20th Century French Antique French Chests
Kingwood
Early 19th Century French Antique French Chests
Wood
Mid-18th Century French Antique French Chests
Fruitwood
1840s French Antique French Chests
Hardwood
19th Century French Napoleon III Antique French Chests
Oak
Late 19th Century French Antique French Chests
Twig, Poplar
Mid-19th Century French Antique French Chests
Poplar, Ash
19th Century French Antique French Chests
Marble
1890s French Louis XVI Antique French Chests
Brass
1920s French Louis XVI Antique French Chests
Brass
Early 19th Century French Antique French Chests
19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique French Chests
Pine
Mid-19th Century French Restauration Antique French Chests
Metal
Early 19th Century French French Provincial Antique French Chests
Wood
19th Century French Restauration Antique French Chests
Walnut
19th Century French Empire Antique French Chests
Marble, Bronze
Late 19th Century French Regency Antique French Chests
Brass
Early 1900s Louis XVI Antique French Chests
Marble
1890s French Louis Philippe Antique French Chests
Fruitwood
18th Century French French Provincial Antique French Chests
Marble, Brass
Mid-19th Century French Empire Antique French Chests
Walnut
1890s French Louis Philippe Antique French Chests
Walnut
Late 19th Century French Antique French Chests
Hardwood
Early 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique French Chests
Wood
19th Century French Antique French Chests
Satinwood
18th Century French Antique French Chests
Wood
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Antique French Chests
Statuary Marble, Brass
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique French Chests
Marble
18th Century French Louis XVI Antique French Chests
Wood
1840s French Louis Philippe Antique French Chests
Walnut
1870s French Louis Philippe Antique French Chests
Walnut
19th Century French Louis XV Antique French Chests
Walnut
Early 1900s French Renaissance Revival Antique French Chests
Oak
Late 19th Century French Antique French Chests
Pine
1880s French Empire Revival Antique French Chests
Walnut
Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Antique French Chests
Walnut
19th Century French French Provincial Antique French Chests
Metal
19th Century French Folk Art Antique French Chests
Wood
Early 20th Century French Georgian Antique French Chests
Bronze
Early 20th Century French Antique French Chests
Wood
Early 20th Century French Antique French Chests
Oak
17th Century Antique French Chests
Oak
1880s French Antique French Chests
Hardwood
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique French Chests
Marble, Bronze
1880s French Rococo Antique French Chests
Marble
18th Century French Antique French Chests
Walnut
Early 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique French Chests
Bronze
1860s French Louis Philippe Antique French Chests
Mahogany
19th Century French French Provincial Antique French Chests
Wood
Early 1900s French Louis XVI Antique French Chests
Paint
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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.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Check the clock for a manufacturer’s mark or label. Once you have this, you should be able to look up the clock’s brand to see if it is French in origin. A clock is considered antique once it is 100 years old. A professional can also help verify the origin of your clock. Shop an array of expertly vetted antique clocks on 1stDibs.
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