Chippendale Commode
These pieces known as a chippendale commode bring solid mahogany construction and serpentine lines to period interiors.
Chippendale Commode
A chippendale commode typically takes the form of a serpentine chest of drawers, a tray top bedside cabinet or a bachelors chest. These storage pieces appear in 18th century Georgian iterations as well as later revivals from the Edwardian era and the 1920s.
The version most commonly met on this page is the mahogany chest of drawers featuring shaped fronts and fitted interiors with brushing slides. Such forms reflect the cabinet-making traditions associated with the Chippendale style.
Makers and craftsmen of the period utilised substantial timbers like Cuban mahogany, often enhanced by boxwood inlay or crossbanding. Structural variations range from compact bedside night tables to large proportions spanning multiple drawers.
Judging quality in design and execution
The distinction between standard examples and the finest pieces rests upon the fluidity of the serpentine curve and the figure of the mahogany timber. Superior proportioning and crispness in carved details elevate certain chests above utilitarian storage.
Original brasses, well-executed crossbanding and intact sliding writing surfaces indicate higher workshop standards. The integration of fitted interior compartments further separates exceptional commodes from simpler constructions.
Chippendale Commode Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for chippendale commode among the pieces listed under this phrase on Sellingantiques today, from the lower quarter to the upper quarter. They describe what is for sale here now, not the wider market.
Listings span the 18th century through the Georgian and Edwardian periods up to the 1960s, constructed predominantly in mahogany with brass and oak.
The Chippendale Commode Glossary
- Serpentine front
- A furniture front curving outward in the centre and inward at the ends. This undulating profile requires skilled timber shaping.
- Brushing slide
- A pull-out shelf located above the top drawer used for writing or brushing clothes. It slides back flush when not in use.
- Tray top
- A raised rim around the top surface of a bedside table or commode. This feature prevents items from rolling off.
- Crossbanding
- A border of veneer laid with the grain running perpendicular to the surrounding wood. It frames drawer fronts and tabletops.
- Claw and ball
- A carved furniture foot depicting a bird's talon gripping a ball. This motif appears on 18th-century cabriole legs.
Chippendale Commode: Frequently Asked Questions
What is a chippendale commode?
A chippendale commode is typically a mahogany chest of drawers or bedside cabinet designed in the 18th-century style associated with Thomas Chippendale. These pieces often feature serpentine fronts, bracket or claw and ball feet, and pull-out brushing slides.
Such items serve as functional storage furniture with decorative profiles that suit both traditional and contemporary room schemes.
How were these pieces used originally?
These cabinets and chests functioned as primary storage for clothing and personal belongings in bedrooms and dressing rooms. Bedside versions held chamber pots or nighttime accessories within enclosed cupboards.
Drawers fitted with sliding writing boards allowed individuals to handle correspondence or groom themselves within the bedroom space.
How do I date a mahogany chest?
Dating relies on examining construction methods, timber choice, and hardware styles. 18th-century examples often use Cuban mahogany and hand-cut dovetails, while later revivals from the Edwardian period or 1920s show machine assistance or different secondary woods.
Stylistic shifts between George II, George III, and Victorian interpretations provide further chronological clues.
Where should I place a commode?
These pieces adapt well to living rooms, hallways, or bedrooms as statement storage units. Tray top bedside tables function effectively beside low beds or as small lamp tables in reception rooms.
Placement should avoid direct sunlight and rapid temperature changes to protect the mahogany polish and prevent timber movement.