COMMODE, originally, a tall head-dress with a fan-shaped frame covered with lace or silk. It was introduced by Mlle. de Fontanges, the red-haired mistress of Louis XIV. The term is now more commonly applied to a piece of furniture that is closely related to the chest of drawers, the chest, the bureau, and the sideboard. Because of this wide application of its use, the com mode has been the object of various modifications. It is of French origin, having come into notice about the latter part of the I7th century, when it was known as a commode table. Some had lids, and opened up in a way similar to that of a chest; others had drawers, which gave opportunity for more ornamentation, with metal handles and escutcheons. The commode was at first con fined to very fashionable drawing-rooms, but Chippendale con templated its use in other places, especially the bedroom. This type is usually made with drawers and set upon legs, resembling in many ways a wash-stand. Another bedroom commode that came into use about the beginning of the i8th century was very similar to the chest, and still another was not unlike a travelling trunk, each being only about 2ft. high, 2ft. long, and lift. deep. These bedroom commodes are rare, however, and the larger, draw ing-room types should be considered first because of their wider use and greater quantity. Besides the variety of styles, sizes, and uses of such commodes, all kinds of finishes were applied: ma hogany, lacquer, marquetry, and paint. Carving is perhaps the most outstanding feature; in fact, the preponderance of carving and ornamentation is often the only thing that distinguishes them from the sideboard and other pieces of furniture similar in use. (See also BUREAU; CHEST; SIDEBOARD.)