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Mahogany Mule Chest

Antique, Mule Chest, English, Georgian Housekeepers Trunk, Mahogany, circa 1780
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique mule chest, an English, Georgian housekeeper's trunk in mahogany and dating to
Category

Antique 18th Century English Georgian Blanket Chests

Materials

Mahogany

Circa 1760, English Mule Chest
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1760 Georgian mule chest, from the North Country of England. Oak with mahogany cross banding
Category

Antique 1760s English Georgian Blanket Chests

Materials

Mahogany, Oak

Circa 1760, English Mule Chest
Circa 1760, English Mule Chest
H 34 in W 53.25 in D 22 in
English Mahogany Hinged Top Inlaid Mule Chest . Circa 1780
Located in Hollywood, SC
English mahogany hinged top mule chest with carved molded edge, reeded sides, carved scalloped
Category

Antique 1780s English George III Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Antique 18th C Georgian Oak Mahogany Hinged Top Mule Chest Coffer Sideboard 1770
Located in Portland, OR
A good & large antique Lancashire country oak mule chest, coffer, sideboard, circa 1770. The chest
Category

Antique 1770s English George III Blanket Chests

Materials

Mahogany, Oak

18th Century New England Country American Single Drawer Blanket Mule Chest
Located in Forney, TX
- mule chest with beautifully aged warm rich patina, circa 1780 Hand-crafted in the New England region
Category

Antique 18th Century American Chippendale Blanket Chests

Materials

Brass

19th Century Mule Chest with Bookcase
Located in Nashville, TN
Press, meticulously crafted from rich Mahogany and thoughtfully modified into a stunning display cabinet
Category

Antique 19th Century English George III Cabinets

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century Mule Chest with Bookcase
19th Century Mule Chest with Bookcase
H 80.75 in W 49.5 in D 21.5 in

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English Georgian Burl Walnut Satinwood Inlaid Graduated Chest of Drawers C 1750
Located in Hollywood, SC
English Georgian rectangular book matched burl walnut graduated chest of drawers with satinwood feather bandings and ebony checkered inlays, period foliate brasses with escutcheons, ...
Category

Antique 1750s English Georgian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

American Print Mallards in Flight and Swimming " Lucky Pond " R. Bishop C. 1959
Located in Hollywood, SC
American print mallards in flight and swimming in marsh grass matted under glass in a painted and gilt frame. "Lucky Pond" Richard E. Bishop, mid 20th century.
Category

Vintage 1950s American Modern Prints

Materials

Glass, Giltwood, Paint, Paper

American Chippendale Mahogany Chest on Chest with Orig. Claw & Ball Feet NY 1770
Located in Hollywood, SC
American New York Chippendale mahogany chest on chest with a carved dentil molded edge cornice, articulated carved circular fret work, ten graduated drawers with the original period ...
Category

Antique 1770s American Chippendale Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

American Mahogany Bow Front Chest of Drawers with Fluted Quarter Columns C. 1840
Located in Hollywood, SC
American Mahogany bow front chest with a carved molded edge top, four graduated drawers with the original brasses and escutcheons, flanking fluted quarter columns, and resting on the...
Category

Antique 1840s American American Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

English Chippendale Mahogany Serpentine Chest with Orig Cherub Brasses, C. 1760
Located in Hollywood, SC
English Chippendale mahogany serpentine chest with a carved molded edge top, four graduated drawers, original cherub swan brass pulls, interior locks, and key escutcheons, carved fol...
Category

Antique 1760s English Chippendale Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

American Hepplewhite Mahogany Serpentine Satinwood Inlaid Sideboard, NY C. 1780
Located in Hollywood, SC
American Hepplewhite Mahogany serpentine sideboard with flanking oval satinwood string inlays, checkered inlays, period eagle oval brasses, and resting on the original satinwood stri...
Category

Antique 1780s American Hepplewhite Sideboards

Materials

Brass

Pair of English Cast Iron and Powered Coated Campana-Form Garden Urns, C. 1850
Located in Hollywood, SC
Pair of English cast iron and powered coated campana-form garden urns with an exterior intertwined grape vine frieze, flanking figural lion side handles, and resting on gadrooned cir...
Category

Antique 1850s English William IV Urns

Materials

Iron

19th Century George III Mahogany Dresser with Flemish Veneers and Brass Details
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Dive into the world of 19th-century craftsmanship with our George III mahogany dresser. Expertly handcrafted, this chest radiates with its rich dark mahogany hue, giving a fresh touc...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century English George III Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Tufted Cedar Hope Chest by Lane Furniture
By Lane Furniture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Bench chest by Lane Furniture, with black cushioned bench top. Flip top action with cedar wood lining. Great for storage and seating! Please confirm pickup location, NY or NJ.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Blanket Chests

Materials

Walnut, Wood, Cedar

Tufted Cedar Hope Chest by Lane Furniture
Tufted Cedar Hope Chest by Lane Furniture
H 17.63 in W 53.88 in D 18.13 in
Antique George III Inlaid Flame Mahogany Sideboard, 18th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a superb antique George III inlaid flame mahogany bowfront sideboard, circa 1780 in date. The top is banded in satinwood and the sideboard has three oak lined frieze drawers...
Category

Antique 1780s English George III Sideboards

Materials

Mahogany

18th Century Style Buffet Sideboard Walnut Burr, Georgian Style English
By Bevan Funnell Ltd.
Located in Toronto, CA
This stunning 18th Century Style Buffet Sideboard in Walnut Burr which is a prized wood known for its beautifully richly grained pattern is a magnificent piece of furniture. Not onl...
Category

20th Century English Georgian Buffets

Materials

Walnut

George III Chest of Drawers
Located in Woodbury, CT
George III figured mahogany chest of drawers with two short drawers over three long oak lined drawers with original brass swan neck handles.
Category

Antique 18th Century European George III Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

George III Chest of Drawers
George III Chest of Drawers
H 37 in W 37 in D 19 in
Monumental Georgian English Pine Potboard Dresser Base
Located in Staffordshire, GB
circa 1820 Monumental Georgian English Pine Potboard Dresser Base sku 1761 W249 x D55 x H90 cm Weight 101 Kg
Category

Antique 19th Century Dressers

Materials

Pine

Antique English Inlaid Faded Mahogany Three-Drawer Chest
Located in Charleston, SC
Very fine antique English inlaid mahogany three-drawer chest in a very desirable size and a very desirable "Sun-faded" Georgian pale brown color. The top is beautifully cross-banded ...
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century English George IV Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

Antique 17th Century Charles II Country Oak Refectory Side Serving Table 1680
Located in Portland, OR
A good antique English 17th Century country oak refectory or serving table, circa 1680. The table dates from the reign of King Charles II, referred to as the Restoration period after...
Category

Antique 1680s English Charles II Tables

Materials

Oak

18th Century American Pine Decorated Blanket Chest
Located in Nantucket, MA
18th century American pine decorated blanket chest, probably from New England, circa 1770 having a dovetailed case on wide bracket feet, the lid held by long strap hinges; in origina...
Category

Antique Late 18th Century American Chippendale Painted Furniture

Materials

Pine

Recent Sales

George III Mahogany Lancashire Mule Chest
Located in Altrincham, Cheshire
George III Mahogany Lancashire Mule chest, the front modelled as a series of drawers, the lower
Category

Antique 1770s English George III Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

mule chest
Located in Chicago, IL
AN ANTIQUE ENGLISH, LATE 18TH CENTURY, OAK MULE CHEST, CROSSBANDED IN MAHOGANY WITH THREE DRAWERS
Category

Antique 18th Century and Earlier English Commodes and Chests of Drawers

mule chest
mule chest
H 34.5 in W 61.5 in D 22 in
Antique Georgian Lancashire Oak Coffer Mule Chest of Drawers, circa 1800
Located in Wisbech, Walton Wisbech
Antique large Georgian Lancashire mahogany crossbanded oak coffer mule chest of drawers, circa 1800
Category

Antique Early 1800s British Georgian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Oak

An English Military Campaign chest on chest c1850
Located in London, GB
A top quality officers campaign chest made in the mid 19th century in the best quality mahogany
Category

Antique 19th Century British Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Mid-18th Century Lancashire Oak Mule Chest
Located in Shrewsbury, GB
A stunning 18th century Lancashire oak mule chest with mahogany crossbanding. Original brass
Category

Antique Mid-18th Century British Sideboards

Materials

Brass

Fine George III Mahogany Mule Chest, ca. 1800
Located in Atlanta, GA
A fine George III mahogany mule chest with lift top used to store blankets, with six functioning
Category

Antique 19th Century English Commodes and Chests of Drawers

English Chippendale Mahogany Mule Chest with Hinged Lid and Ogee Feet, C. 1750
Located in Hollywood, SC
English Chippendale mahogany mule chest with a hinged lid revealing an interior two drawer till
Category

Antique 1750s English George II Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

20th Century Mahogany Mule Chest of Drawers
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Practical piece of everyday furniture for storage 7 drawers, 2 of which are double fronted HEIGHT: 32 1/2" WIDTH: 59 3/4" DEPTH: 18 3/4"
Category

Vintage 1970s Great Britain (UK) Georgian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

20th Century Mahogany Mule Chest of Drawers
20th Century Mahogany Mule Chest of Drawers
H 32.5 in W 59.75 in D 18.75 in
Fine Late 18th Ct. English Mahogany Mule Chest
Located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Wonderfully figured mahogany 18th Ct. English mule chest. Lid opens for storage and bottom three
Category

Antique Late 18th Century English Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

Lancashire Mule Chest in Mahogany
Located in Oxfordshire, GB
Lancashire Mule chest. A George III Lancashire mule chest made of mahogany. The back board with
Category

Antique 1790s Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

Lancashire Mule Chest in Mahogany
Lancashire Mule Chest in Mahogany
H 39.18 in W 68.12 in D 23.04 in
19th Century Mahogany Military Mule Chest
Located in Martlesham, GB
A lovely quality and rare 19th century mahogany military mule chest, having the original brass
Category

Antique 1840s British Early Victorian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

George III Mahogany Lancashire Mule Chest
Located in Cheshire, GB
George III mahogany Lancashire mule chest, the hinge top over six false and six true cock beaded
Category

Antique Early 19th Century Great Britain (UK) George III Commodes and Ch...

Rare fiddleback mahogany 6 working drawer mule Georgian chest
Located in Nashville, TN
A mule chest veneered in rare fiddleback mahogany (used in backing violins , hence the name), found
Category

Antique 19th Century English Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Georgian Oak and Mahogany Banded Mule Chest
Located in Nashville, TN
Large chest of English oak with three faux drawers (under lift top) and six working drawers. Each
Category

Antique 18th Century and Earlier English Georgian Commodes and Chests of...

Georgian Oak and Mahogany Banded Mule Chest
Georgian Oak and Mahogany Banded Mule Chest
H 34.5 in W 68.5 in D 21.5 in
English Oak Mule Chest
Located in San Francisco, CA
An English oak mule chest with reeded quarter columns, the lift top over one long and three short
Category

Antique 19th Century English Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Oak, Mahogany

English Oak Mule Chest
English Oak Mule Chest
H 34.5 in W 58 in D 22 in
Oak and Mahogany Crossed Banded Lancashire Mule Chest
Located in Cheshire, GB
Oak and mahogany crossed-banded mule chest. The large rectangular hinged top. To the freeze fitted
Category

Antique 19th Century British Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Oak

Early 19th Century English Mule Chest
Located in Charleston, SC
mahogany and has it's original handles. The top section lifts to revel a inner cupboard that measures about
Category

Antique 18th Century and Earlier British Blanket Chests

Materials

Brass

Early 19th Century English Mule Chest
Early 19th Century English Mule Chest
H 41 in W 68.5 in D 21 in
English Georgian Mahogany Antique Mule Chest of Drawers, 19th Century
Located in Shippensburg, PA
"side-by-side" lift-top chest over four graduated drawers. Not only being a very practical piece in
Category

Antique Early 19th Century British Georgian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

George III Mahogany Crossbanded Lancashire Mule Chest in Oak, circa 1800
Located in Faversham, GB
Large rectangular hinged top over a central crossbanded panel with three lower drawers and six upper faux drawers. Original brass swan neck handles and keyhole covers flanked by inse...
Category

Antique 18th Century British George III Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

19th Century Mahogany Victorian Campaign Chest of Drawers
Located in Eindhoven, NL
Here we have a fine military chest in mahogany. The chest is made in two sections for the ease of
Category

Antique 1840s Great Britain (UK) Victorian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Copper

Early 19th Century Mahogany Secretaire Military Campaign Chest
Located in Eindhoven, NL
the ease of transportation, either by sea or pack horse and mule. The chest of drawers is made of Cuba
Category

Antique 1820s English Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century Victorian Campaign Chest of Drawers
Located in Eindhoven, NL
transportation, either by sea or pack horse and mule. This particular chest would have been made for an officer
Category

Antique 1840s British Victorian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Copper

19th Century Victorian Campaign Chest of Drawers
19th Century Victorian Campaign Chest of Drawers
H 42.92 in W 38.98 in L 42.92 in
George III Mahogany Mule Chest, circa 1760
Located in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire
A George III mahogany mule chest The rectangular moulded hinged lid above two short and one long
Category

Antique Late 18th Century English George III Blanket Chests

Materials

Mahogany

George III Mahogany Mule Chest, circa 1760
George III Mahogany Mule Chest, circa 1760
H 31.89 in W 41.34 in D 19.3 in
18th Century Mahogany Mule Chest or Blanket Chest
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Unusually large 18th century English mahogany mule chest or blanket chest featuring a beautiful
Category

Antique 18th Century English Georgian Blanket Chests

Materials

Brass

Antique George III Style Mahogany Mule Chest
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Antique George III style mahogany mule chest, 19th century. With columns flanking drawers, ogee
Category

Antique Early 19th Century English George III Sideboards

Materials

Brass

Antique 18th Century English Chippendale Mahogany Mule Chest with Hinged Lid
Located in South Bend, IN
An outstanding antique English Chippendale mule chest dresser England, circa 1750 Solid
Category

Antique Mid-18th Century English Chippendale Dressers

Materials

Brass

Ethan Allen 18th Century Style Tall Mahogany Mule Chest with Multiple Drawers
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Ethan Allen 18th century style mule chest, mahogany, carved cornice over a cabinet with fluted
Category

20th Century Rustic Dressers

Materials

Mahogany

English Oak Mule Chest
Located in Woodbury, CT
George III, pale oak, Lancashire mule chest with mahogany crossbanding on top and drawer fronts
Category

Antique 19th Century English Georgian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany, Oak

English Oak Mule Chest
English Oak Mule Chest
H 35.25 in W 59 in D 21 in
English Oak and Mahogany Banded Mule Chest with Pilaster Corners
Located in Nashville, TN
With nine mahogany banded working drawers. Originally with a lift top opening to a storage well
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century English George II Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Georgian English Oak Mule Chest or Dresser with Mahogany Banding
Located in Nashville, TN
waxing . Nice mahogany banding around drawers and top lid. Typical wear, staining and other effects of
Category

Antique 18th Century English Georgian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Early 19th Century Converted Lancashire Mule Chest
Located in High Point, NC
Early 19th century Lancashire mule chest which has been converted to be a chest of drawers with a
Category

Antique Early 19th Century English Georgian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Large 18th Century Antique George III Oak Lancashire Mule Chest
Located in Suffolk, GB
Large 18th century antique George III oak Lancashire mule chest having a quality oak lift up top
Category

Antique 18th Century English George III Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Oak

English Mahogany and Oak Inlaid Mule Chest, Circa 1750
Located in Hollywood, SC
English mahogany and Oak mule chest with inlaid satin wood diamonds & ebony stars, flanking
Category

Antique 1750s English George II Cabinets

Materials

Brass

18th Century English Mule Chest Buffet Server
Located in San Francisco, CA
Antique English oak mule chest with mahogany trim and newer brass hardware. Altered and converted
Category

Antique 18th Century English Buffets

Materials

Mahogany, Oak

18th Century English Mule Chest Buffet Server
18th Century English Mule Chest Buffet Server
H 35.5 in W 55.25 in D 20.75 in
Late 18th Century George lll, Mahogany Mule Chest
Located in New York, NY
Late 18th Century George III, Mahogany Mule Chest. One Drawer on The Bottom, The Lid Opens
Category

Antique 18th Century and Earlier English George III Commodes and Chests ...

Materials

Mahogany

18th Century Circa 1780 English Georgian Mahogany Mule Chest
Located in Atlanta, GA
18th century circa 1780 English Georgian mahogany mule chest.
Category

Antique 1780s English Georgian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood, Mahogany

Oak and Mahogany Mule Chest
Located in Harrodsburg, KY
A Georgian mule chest in oak and mahogany. With cross-banded drawers and a hinged lid revealing an
Category

Antique 18th Century and Earlier English Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Antique Mule Chest Dresser Sideboard George III Mahogany, 18th Century
Located in Longdon, Tewkesbury
A quality and exceptional 18th century George III large mahogany mule chest dresser or sideboard
Category

Antique 18th Century George III Sideboards

Materials

Mahogany

Antique Mule Chest Dresser, Sideboard George III Mahogany, 18th Century
Located in Longdon, Tewkesbury
A quality and exceptional 18th century George III large Mahogany mule chest dresser or sideboard
Category

Antique 18th Century Dressers

Mahogany Early 19th Century Lancashire Mule Chest
Located in Darwen, GB
A mahogany early 19th century Lancashire mule chest. The shaped raised galleried back above a one
Category

Antique Early 1800s Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

English Mule Chest
Located in Roswell, GA
Fabulous solid MAHOGANY elaborately carved English Mule Chest. Exposed iron hinges on top
Category

Antique 18th Century and Earlier English Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

English Mule Chest
English Mule Chest
H 35 in W 62 in D 21 in
Mahogany Early 19th Century Lancashire Mule Chest
Located in Darwen, GB
A mahogany early 19th century Lancashire mule chest. The shaped raised galleried back above a one
Category

Antique Early 1800s Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Good Georgian Period Oak and Mahogany Lancashire Mule Chest
Located in Darwen, GB
A good Georgian Period oak and mahogany Lancashire mule chest. The rectangular three plank oak top
Category

Antique 1780s Georgian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Oak

Oak George III Mule Chest
Located in Redruth, GB
Antique George III oak mule chest with hinged lid. It has three shaped panels over a pair of
Category

Antique Late 18th Century Great Britain (UK) George III Commodes and Che...

Materials

Mahogany

Oak George III Mule Chest
Oak George III Mule Chest
H 36.23 in W 58.27 in D 21.26 in
Gorgeous George III Plum Painted Pine Mule Chest, circa 1800
Located in Bedford, Bedfordshire
having a typical mule chest arrangement of two short drawers over a separate blanket chest top with iron
Category

Antique Early 1800s English George III Blanket Chests

Materials

Pine

Good Large Oak 18th Century Lancashire Mule Chest
Located in Darwen, GB
A good large oak 18th century Lancashire mule chest. Having a rectangular three plank hinged oak
Category

Antique 1780s Georgian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Victorian Mahogany Campaign Secretaire Chest
Located in Salisbury, Wiltshire
Victorian mahogany secretaire chest Here we have this fine military chest with a secretaire drawer
Category

Antique 1860s Great Britain (UK) Victorian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

Victorian Mahogany Campaign Secretaire Chest
Victorian Mahogany Campaign Secretaire Chest
H 40.16 in W 38.98 in D 17.72 in
Oak George III Period Lancashire Mule/Dower Chest
Located in Darwen, GB
An oak George III Period Lancashire mule/dower chest. The three plank oak hinged top opening to
Category

Antique 1780s George III Commodes and Chests of Drawers

George III Period Oak Mule Chest, England, circa 1780
Located in Houston, TX
George III period oak mule chest cross banded with mahogany, England, circa 1780. This handsome
Category

Antique Late 18th Century British George III Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Oak

Georgian Oak Blanket Chest
Located in Millwood, VA
Scottish Oak Mule Chest with mahogany cross banded drawer fronts , twin turned quarter columns
Category

Antique 19th Century British Georgian Blanket Chests

Materials

Oak, Mahogany

Georgian Oak Blanket Chest
Georgian Oak Blanket Chest
H 36 in W 59 in D 22 in
Substantial George III Mahogany Sarcophagus Shaped Mule Chest
Located in Wiltshire, GB
A George III substantial mahogany sarcophagus shaped mule/storage chest of large proportions with
Category

Antique Late 18th Century English More Furniture and Collectibles

Antique golden teak Colonial iron bound merchants chest 19th century
Located in Salisbury, Wiltshire
Antique teak iron bound chest This Antique teak iron bound chest was made circa 1860. Originally
Category

Antique 1860s Indian British Colonial Blanket Chests

Materials

Teak

George III Period Mule Chest
Located in San Francisco, CA
An 18th Century inlaid oak mule chest with mahogany cross banding, England circa 1780
Category

Antique 18th Century and Earlier English Buffets

George III Period Mule Chest
George III Period Mule Chest
H 40.5 in W 61 in D 22 in
Good Oak George III Period Antique Mule Chest
Located in Darwen, GB
A good oak George III period antique mule chest. The rectangular hinged top opens to reveal storage
Category

Antique 1780s George III Cupboards

George II Mahogany Bedside Cupboard
Located in New York, NY
origins are evident in the fact that the top lifts up in the style of a mule chest and it has a single
Category

Antique 1750s Great Britain (UK) George II Side Tables

Materials

Mahogany

George II Mahogany Bedside Cupboard
George II Mahogany Bedside Cupboard
H 25.75 in W 15 in D 11.75 in
Oak and Mahogany Cross Banded Bank of Drawers, circa 1760
Located in London, Greenwich
have been carried out using traditional methods and timbers. An enormously practical mule chest.
Category

Antique 1760s British George II Cabinets

Materials

Oak

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Mahogany Mule Chest For Sale on 1stDibs

Find many varieties of an authentic mahogany mule chest available at 1stDibs. Each mahogany mule chest for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using wood, mahogany and brass. You’ve searched high and low for the perfect mahogany mule chest — we have versions that date back to the 18th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 20th Century are available. When you’re browsing for the right mahogany mule chest, those designed in Georgian, Rococo and Victorian styles are of considerable interest. Many designers have produced at least one well-made mahogany mule chest over the years, but those crafted by Ethan Allen are often thought to be among the most beautiful.

How Much is a Mahogany Mule Chest?

Prices for a mahogany mule chest start at $1,450 and top out at $28,000 with the average selling for $4,825.

Finding the Right Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets 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.

Questions About Mahogany Mule Chest
  • 1stDibs ExpertNovember 2, 2021
    A mule chest is a low chest that has a drawer or a set of drawers at its base and a hinged top. It stands on legs or brackets and it is usually wider than it is deep. Shop a collection of antique, vintage and contemporary mule chests from some of the world’s top dealers on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    The origin of the mule chest is a mystery, though several theories exist. Some of the most common are that the lower drawers of the chest were where shoes, including mules might be stored. Another thought is that it was a chest that a peddler might have used to carry along goods on his mule. Shop a collection of antique mule chests on 1stDibs.

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Leaping into a design project, whether it's refreshing the bedroom or redoing the whole house, can be overwhelming. Luckily, we know more than a few interior designers. You asked questions on Instagram, and now they're answering.

Collected and Eclectic, ‘Wunderkammern’ Are Back in a Big Way

Introduced nearly 500 years ago, curiosity cabinets are finding new fans among today's collectors and designers.

Meet the Incredible Woman Transforming Fallen Trees into Sleek Furniture

In the hands of New York Heartwoods cofounder Megan Offner, unwanted local trees become works of design art.

These New York Architects Love a Complicated Project

From Brooklyn townhouses to Maine campgrounds, Trattie Davies and Jonathan Toews relish a challenge, like transforming a former warehouse space into the new 1stdibs Gallery.