Open Shelving Store Display Piece
Mid-20th Century Romanian Country Bookcases
Glass, Wood, Paint
Antique Mid-18th Century French Baroque Cupboards
Wood
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
Brass
Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Brass
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XV Buffets
Oak
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Rococo Cabinets
Glass, Wood
Mid-20th Century Spanish Shelves
Metal
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21st Century and Contemporary Swedish Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Textile
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Buffets
Brass
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets
Rosewood
Antique 18th Century Swedish Cabinets
Wood
Antique 17th Century French Panelling
Softwood
Antique 19th Century Bookcases
Oak
Antique Mid-19th Century British Dressers
Pine
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Country Sideboards
Pine
Antique 18th Century French Industrial Industrial and Work Tables
Iron
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Walnut
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Folk Art Secretaires
Pine
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XV Daybeds
Velvet, Walnut
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
Walnut
Antique Mid-18th Century Swedish Baroque Secretaires
Bronze
Antique Mid-19th Century French Cabinets
Wire
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XV Daybeds
Fabric, Walnut
Recent Sales
Antique 1890s American Industrial Cabinets
Steel
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Cabinets
Glass, Wood
Antique 1880s English Cabinets
Pine
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XV Corner Cupboards
Walnut
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Wrought Iron
20th Century French Cabinets
Marble
Antique Late 18th Century Danish Country Secretaires
Oak, Paint
20th Century French Shelves
Wood
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Antique Early 1900s American Cabinets
Sheet Metal
Finding the Right storage-case-pieces for You
Of all the antique and vintage case pieces and storage cabinets that have become popular in modern interiors over the years, dressers, credenzas and cabinets have long been home staples, perfect for routine storage or protection of personal items.
In the mid-19th century, cabinetmakers would mimic styles originating in the Louis XIV, Louis XV and Louis XVI eras for their dressers, bookshelves and other structures, and, later, simpler, streamlined wood designs allowed these “case pieces” or “case goods” — any furnishing that is unupholstered and has some semblance of a storage component — to blend into the background of any interior.
Mid-century modern furniture enthusiasts will cite the tall modular wall units crafted in teak and other sought-after woods of the era by the likes of George Nelson, Poul Cadovius and Finn Juhl. For these highly customizable furnishings, designers of the day delivered an alternative to big, heavy bookcases by considering the use of space — and, in particular, walls — in new and innovative ways. Mid-century modern credenzas, which, long and low, evolved from tables that were built as early as the 14th century in Italy, typically have no legs or very short legs and have grown in popularity as an alluring storage option over time.
Although the name immediately invokes images of clothing, dressers were initially created in Europe for a much different purpose. This furnishing was initially a flat-surfaced, low-profile side table equipped with a few drawers — a common fixture used to dress and prepare meats in English kitchens throughout the Tudor period. The drawers served as perfect utensil storage. It wasn’t until the design made its way to North America that it became enlarged and equipped with enough space to hold clothing and cosmetics. The very history of storage case pieces is a testament to their versatility and well-earned place in any room.
In the spirit of positioning your case goods center stage, decluttering can now be design-minded.
A contemporary case piece with open shelving and painted wood details can prove functional as a storage unit as easily as it can a room divider. Whether you’re seeking a playful sideboard made of colored glass and metals, an antique Italian hand-carved storage cabinet or a glass-door vitrine to store and show off your collectibles, there are options for you on 1stDibs.
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