Antique Small Chests Commodes
Early 1900s French Louis XVI Antique Small Chests Commodes
Wood
1850s Italian Neoclassical Antique Small Chests Commodes
Bone, Ebony, Mahogany
1860s French Louis XV Antique Small Chests Commodes
Wood
19th Century Dutch Antique Small Chests Commodes
Oak
19th Century French Antique Small Chests Commodes
Wood
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Small Chests Commodes
Wood
Late 19th Century Dutch Antique Small Chests Commodes
Iron
Mid-19th Century Dutch Antique Small Chests Commodes
Bronze
1880s French Louis XV Antique Small Chests Commodes
Kingwood
Early 20th Century Dutch Antique Small Chests Commodes
Wood
19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Small Chests Commodes
Wood
18th Century Portuguese Antique Small Chests Commodes
Brass, Bronze
18th Century British Georgian Antique Small Chests Commodes
Oak
Early 17th Century European Renaissance Antique Small Chests Commodes
Cedar
Mid-19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Small Chests Commodes
Mahogany
Mid-18th Century English Georgian Antique Small Chests Commodes
Mahogany
Late 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Small Chests Commodes
Pine
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Small Chests Commodes
Mahogany
Mid-19th Century English Antique Small Chests Commodes
Pine
19th Century Swedish Antique Small Chests Commodes
Bronze
Early 20th Century French Antique Small Chests Commodes
Kingwood
18th Century French Régence Antique Small Chests Commodes
Marble
19th Century French Empire Antique Small Chests Commodes
Marble, Ormolu
19th Century Italian Renaissance Revival Antique Small Chests Commodes
Walnut
18th Century Italian Neoclassical Antique Small Chests Commodes
Marble
Late 18th Century English Sheraton Antique Small Chests Commodes
Satinwood
Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Antique Small Chests Commodes
Breccia Marble
1840s British Early Victorian Antique Small Chests Commodes
Mahogany
18th Century Italian Antique Small Chests Commodes
Walnut
Early 19th Century English Georgian Antique Small Chests Commodes
Mahogany
Mid-18th Century English Georgian Antique Small Chests Commodes
Mahogany
Mid-19th Century English High Victorian Antique Small Chests Commodes
Satin, Birch
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Small Chests Commodes
Pine
1780s Dutch Antique Small Chests Commodes
Metal, Iron
Late 18th Century English George III Antique Small Chests Commodes
Mahogany
1910s English Edwardian Antique Small Chests Commodes
Rosewood, Walnut
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Small Chests Commodes
Marble
18th Century Chippendale Antique Small Chests Commodes
Mahogany
19th Century Antique Small Chests Commodes
Walnut
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Small Chests Commodes
Brass
19th Century Italian Baroque Antique Small Chests Commodes
Wood
18th Century Dutch Neoclassical Antique Small Chests Commodes
Fruitwood, Walnut
Early 18th Century Queen Anne Antique Small Chests Commodes
Oak
Early 19th Century French Directoire Antique Small Chests Commodes
Brass
1820s French Louis XVI Antique Small Chests Commodes
Marble, Bronze
Early 19th Century British Antique Small Chests Commodes
Mahogany
Late 19th Century French Antique Small Chests Commodes
Silver
Late 19th Century British Antique Small Chests Commodes
Oak
Mid-19th Century English Victorian Antique Small Chests Commodes
Mahogany
18th Century English Chippendale Antique Small Chests Commodes
Mahogany
18th Century British Georgian Antique Small Chests Commodes
Mahogany
1810s English George III Antique Small Chests Commodes
Ebony, Mahogany
Mid-19th Century Danish Other Antique Small Chests Commodes
Oak
Mid-19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Small Chests Commodes
Metal, Bronze
19th Century English Victorian Antique Small Chests Commodes
Pine
1830s German Neoclassical Antique Small Chests Commodes
Walnut
1780s English Georgian Antique Small Chests Commodes
Mahogany
Early 19th Century British Regency Antique Small Chests Commodes
Mahogany
Early 19th Century Dutch Antique Small Chests Commodes
Oak
Early 19th Century English Georgian Antique Small Chests Commodes
Metal, Brass
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Antique Small Chests Commodes For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are Antique Small Chests Commodes?
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.
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