Drop Front Bookcase
Antique Late 19th Century Sheraton Bookcases
Wood
Antique 1870s English Victorian Bookcases
Mahogany
Vintage 1960s American Louis XV Bookcases
Brass
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Bookcases
Teak
20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Bookcases
Wood
Vintage 1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Bookcases
Glass, Teak
Antique Late 18th Century English Chippendale Bookcases
Mahogany
Antique Early 19th Century Irish Georgian Bookcases
Mahogany
Antique Mid-19th Century Irish George III Bookcases
Glass, Mahogany, Satinwood
Antique Mid-18th Century Irish Georgian Bookcases
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century Italian Other Bookcases
Wood
Vintage 1950s British Georgian Bookcases
Wood, Leather, Glass
Antique 19th Century English George III Bookcases
Mahogany
Antique 1790s British George III Bookcases
Mahogany
Vintage 1940s American Art Deco Bookcases
Brass
Late 20th Century Danish Bookcases
Teak
Early 20th Century French Beaux Arts Bookcases
Brass
Vintage 1980s American Georgian Bookcases
Brass
Antique 1870s Eastlake Bookcases
Glass, Walnut
Antique Early 19th Century Danish Louis XVI Bookcases
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century American Georgian Bookcases
Brass
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Bookcases
Brass
Vintage 1940s American Georgian Bookcases
Brass
Antique Early 19th Century French Louis XVI Bookcases
Marble, Brass
Antique 1860s French Renaissance Bookcases
Wood
Early 20th Century English Arts and Crafts Bookcases
Brass, Copper
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Desks
Brass
Late 20th Century American Georgian Desks
Brass
Late 20th Century American Georgian Desks
Brass
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
Oak
Vintage 1940s American Art Deco Bookcases
Paldao
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Bookcases
Naugahyde, Walnut, Plywood, Paint
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Bookcases
Aluminum
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Bookcases
Vintage 1970s American Georgian Desks
Brass
Antique Late 18th Century Dutch Neoclassical Revival Bookcases
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Georgian Desks
Brass
Vintage 1960s American Georgian Desks
Brass
20th Century Italian Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Olive, Burl
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Laminate, Teak
Late 20th Century American Rustic Secretaires
Metal
Mid-20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Shelves
Walnut
Late 20th Century American Chippendale Secretaires
Brass
Vintage 1970s American Georgian Desks
Brass
20th Century American Chippendale Dressers
Mahogany
Antique Late 19th Century English George II Desks
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Desks
Brass
Mid-20th Century Campaign Secretaires
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Georgian Secretaires
Brass
Antique Early 19th Century Italian Baroque Secretaires
Wood
Antique Late 18th Century English Georgian Secretaires
Mahogany
Late 20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Cabinets
Glass, Teak
Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Secretaires
Brass
Late 20th Century American Chippendale Secretaires
Brass
Vintage 1980s American Georgian Cabinets
Brass
Vintage 1960s American Georgian Desks
Brass
Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Sideboards
Antique 1850s English Victorian Cabinets
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Desks
Brass
Vintage 1930s American Georgian Cabinets
Brass
- 1
Drop Front Bookcase For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Drop Front Bookcase?
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.
- 1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023A drop-front desk is usually called a secretary. Other names for this type of desk include writing cabinet, fall-front desk and secrétaire à abattant. The name secretary can be traced back to the 18th century when estate secretaries used the drop-front desks as workstations for paying bills and reconciling accounts. On 1stDibs, find a range of secretary desks.
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