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Antique Cabinets With Secret Compartments

Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaire Desk with Secret Compartment
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaire Desk with Secret Compartment

Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaire Desk with Secret Compartment

Located in Greven, DE

Behind the door are two further small drawers and a well-hidden secret compartment. The figures can also be pulled out as drawers, allowing access to four further drawers above and b...

Category

1820s German Biedermeier Antique Cabinets With Secret Compartments

Materials

Mahogany, Maple

Inlaid Chest of Drawers with double secret compartments, 18th Century
Inlaid Chest of Drawers with double secret compartments, 18th Century

Inlaid Chest of Drawers with double secret compartments, 18th Century

Located in Brussels, BE

Inlaid Chest of Drawers with double secret compartments, 18th Century

Category

18th Century European Louis XVI Antique Cabinets With Secret Compartments

Materials

Wood

Antique Correspondence Box, English, Leather Cabinet, Houghton & Gunn, Victorian
Antique Correspondence Box, English, Leather Cabinet, Houghton & Gunn, Victorian

Antique Correspondence Box, English, Leather Cabinet, Houghton & Gunn, Victorian

$3,405Sale Price|20% Off

H 18.12 in W 17.13 in D 12.01 in

Antique Correspondence Box, English, Leather Cabinet, Houghton & Gunn, Victorian

Located in Hele, Devon, GB

An English, leather bound sarcophagus cabinet with secret compartment, attributed to Houghton and Gunn of London, dating to the Victorian period, circa 1870.

Category

Late 19th Century British Antique Cabinets With Secret Compartments

Materials

Leather

Recent Sales

Odd Fellow Folk Art Makeup House with Secret Compartments
Odd Fellow Folk Art Makeup House with Secret Compartments

Odd Fellow Folk Art Makeup House with Secret Compartments

Unavailable

H 30.5 in W 27.75 in D 15.5 in

Odd Fellow Folk Art Makeup House with Secret Compartments

Located in Culver City, CA

This is a truly one of a kind historical curiosity and a beautiful example of Folk Art. The Odd Fellows are a community association with links to the English Odd Fellows Association ...

Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Antique Cabinets With Secret Compartments

Materials

Wood, Paint

18th C Spanish Colonial Armoire with Secret Compartment
18th C Spanish Colonial Armoire with Secret Compartment

18th C Spanish Colonial Armoire with Secret Compartment

Unavailable

H 73.5 in W 37.25 in D 25 in

18th C Spanish Colonial Armoire with Secret Compartment

Located in Nogales, AZ

18th century Spanish colonial armoire with a secret compartment in back for weapons like rifles, etc. Front inside depth is 16.5".

Category

18th Century and Earlier Mexican Antique Cabinets With Secret Compartments

Materials

Iron

Narrow German Biedermeier Secretary with Secret Drawer, Walnut, circa 1840
Narrow German Biedermeier Secretary with Secret Drawer, Walnut, circa 1840

Narrow German Biedermeier Secretary with Secret Drawer, Walnut, circa 1840

Located in Greven, DE

Narrow antique Biedermeier cabinet with secret compartment Hesse/Palatinate Walnut etc.

Category

Mid-19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Cabinets With Secret Compartments

Materials

Walnut

Late 17th Century French Walnut Cabinet with Marble Top, Secret Compartments
Late 17th Century French Walnut Cabinet with Marble Top, Secret Compartments

Late 17th Century French Walnut Cabinet with Marble Top, Secret Compartments

Located in Fayetteville, AR

A single symmetrical paneled door at the front opens to reveal an interior with a single shelf and two lower drawers. A secret compartment is hidden behind the drawers, and two addit...

Category

Late 17th Century French Antique Cabinets With Secret Compartments

Materials

Marble

Bookcase with Secret Compartment, 19th Century
Bookcase with Secret Compartment, 19th Century

Bookcase with Secret Compartment, 19th Century

Sold

H 35.44 in W 40.56 in D 11.82 in

Bookcase with Secret Compartment, 19th Century

Located in Saint-Ouen, FR

Bookcase with secret compartment, solid mahogany, under grey marble ’Sainte-Anne' with bronze gilt mounts, 19th century.  

Category

Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Cabinets With Secret Compartments

Materials

Marble, Bronze

19th Century Charles X Writing Desk with secret compartment
19th Century Charles X Writing Desk with secret compartment

19th Century Charles X Writing Desk with secret compartment

Located in Scottsdale, AZ

19th Century Charles X Writing Desk with secret compartment. Gorgeous piece. Age appropriate wear on wood and red leather top, see detailed pics.

Category

Early 19th Century French Charles X Antique Cabinets With Secret Compartments

Materials

Wood

Arts and Crafts Open Oak Bookcase with Secret Compartment
Arts and Crafts Open Oak Bookcase with Secret Compartment

Arts and Crafts Open Oak Bookcase with Secret Compartment

Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight

Arts and Crafts open oak bookcase with secret compartment This oak bookcase has reeded fronts to the shelves and sides, it stands on a neat plinth with large carved cornice at the...

Category

Late 19th Century Arts and Crafts Antique Cabinets With Secret Compartments

Materials

Oak

18th Century Chippendale Slant Front Desk with Secret Compartments
18th Century Chippendale Slant Front Desk with Secret Compartments

18th Century Chippendale Slant Front Desk with Secret Compartments

Located in Milford, NH

An 18th century Chippendale slant front desk with a unique fan carved compartmentalized interior, including a slide out center prospectus with hidden release which reveals a hidden i...

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18th Century American Chippendale Antique Cabinets With Secret Compartments

Materials

Mahogany

Fabulous Antique British Colonial Butler's Desk 'With Secret Compartments'
Fabulous Antique British Colonial Butler's Desk 'With Secret Compartments'

Fabulous Antique British Colonial Butler's Desk 'With Secret Compartments'

Located in Atlanta, GA

How about the central cubby inside the secretary having not one, but two secret compartments within it; located at left and right interior sides!

Category

Late 19th Century Indian British Colonial Antique Cabinets With Secret Compartments

Materials

Glass, Wood

Early 20th Century Italian Burlwood Davenport Desk with Secret Compartment
Early 20th Century Italian Burlwood Davenport Desk with Secret Compartment

Early 20th Century Italian Burlwood Davenport Desk with Secret Compartment

Located in Milford, NH

A beautifully detailed burlwood davenport with hinged lift top to reveal a compartmentalized interior, including a secret hidden back compartment which rises up with release button i...

Category

Early 20th Century Italian Antique Cabinets With Secret Compartments

Materials

Brass

19th Century Biedermeier Secretary with Secret Compartment, Germany circa 1830
19th Century Biedermeier Secretary with Secret Compartment, Germany circa 1830

19th Century Biedermeier Secretary with Secret Compartment, Germany circa 1830

Located in Greven, DE

Antique standing secretary North Germany Biedermeier around 1830 Dimensions: H x W x D: 151 x 99 x 49 cm Description: Writing desk standing on lion's paws with a protruding plinth...

Category

1830s German Biedermeier Antique Cabinets With Secret Compartments

Materials

Maple, Walnut

19th Century Walnut Antique Wardrobe with Writing Desk and Secret Compartments
19th Century Walnut Antique Wardrobe with Writing Desk and Secret Compartments

19th Century Walnut Antique Wardrobe with Writing Desk and Secret Compartments

Located in Casale Monferrato, IT

Elegant antique wardrobe in precious walnut wood 1850s. In the upper part two doors with three shelves inside. The first of the three large drawers becomes a practical support surfac...

Category

1850s Italian Antique Cabinets With Secret Compartments

Materials

Walnut

Rare 17th Century Baroque Ebony with Silver Cabinet, Antwerp, Wunderkammer
Rare 17th Century Baroque Ebony with Silver Cabinet, Antwerp, Wunderkammer

Rare 17th Century Baroque Ebony with Silver Cabinet, Antwerp, Wunderkammer

Located in AMSTERDAM, NH

Antwerp Mid 17th century An Antwerp ebony, silver foil, gilded bronze, and with a mirror: jewelry cabinet. With a secret compartment in the slide top.

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Mid-17th Century Belgian Baroque Antique Cabinets With Secret Compartments

Materials

Silver, Brass

19th Century mahogany apothecry cabinet
19th Century mahogany apothecry cabinet

19th Century mahogany apothecry cabinet

Sold

H 10.5 in W 8.75 in D 7 in

19th Century mahogany apothecry cabinet

Located in Debenham, Suffolk

19th Century mahogany apothecry cabinet with secret poisons compartment, circa 1840

Category

19th Century British Antique Cabinets With Secret Compartments

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century mahogany apothercry cabinet circa 1840
19th Century mahogany apothercry cabinet circa 1840

19th Century mahogany apothercry cabinet circa 1840

Located in Debenham, Suffolk

19th Century mahogany apothercry cabinet with secret poisons compartment circa 1840

Category

19th Century British Antique Cabinets With Secret Compartments

Materials

Mahogany

George II Mahogany Bureau Cabinet Bookcase
George II Mahogany Bureau Cabinet Bookcase

George II Mahogany Bureau Cabinet Bookcase

Located in Lymington, GB

A very impressive mahogany bureau cabinet / bookcase / secretary*, with secret compartments.

Category

18th Century English George II Antique Cabinets With Secret Compartments

Materials

Mahogany

Period Danish Chest/Desk
Period Danish Chest/Desk

Period Danish Chest/Desk

Sold

H 40.75 in W 38 in D 18.25 in

Period Danish Chest/Desk

Located in Atlanta, GA

Three draws under a drop front retractable desk with draws, cabinets and secret compartments.

Category

19th Century Danish Antique Cabinets With Secret Compartments

Neoclassical Flap Oak Netherlands XVIII Century
Neoclassical Flap Oak Netherlands XVIII Century

Neoclassical Flap Oak Netherlands XVIII Century

Sold

H 45.67 in W 55.52 in D 26.38 in

Neoclassical Flap Oak Netherlands XVIII Century

Located in Milano, IT

Except for the feet carved in a feral paw and the ribbon with medallion carved on the apron, the whole surface is veneered in walnut briar with the typical floral inlays with a centr...

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18th Century Italian Neoclassical Antique Cabinets With Secret Compartments

Materials

Oak, Burl

18th Century Black Lacquer Cabinet
18th Century Black Lacquer Cabinet

18th Century Black Lacquer Cabinet

Sold

H 86 in W 44 in D 30 in

18th Century Black Lacquer Cabinet

Located in Los Angeles, CA

18th century Chinese elm wood cabinet with two interior drawers and secret compartment.

Category

18th Century Chinese Chinese Export Antique Cabinets With Secret Compartments

Materials

Lacquer

WELL CARVED NORTH ITALIAN WALNUT RENAISSANCE CABINET
WELL CARVED NORTH ITALIAN WALNUT RENAISSANCE CABINET

WELL CARVED NORTH ITALIAN WALNUT RENAISSANCE CABINET

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Well carved north Italian walnut renaissance revival two part narrow cabinet with secrets compartments.

Category

19th Century Italian Antique Cabinets With Secret Compartments

Anglo-Indian Secretary with Secret Compartment
Anglo-Indian Secretary with Secret Compartment

Anglo-Indian Secretary with Secret Compartment

Sold

H 38.5 in W 27 in D 17.5 in

Anglo-Indian Secretary with Secret Compartment

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Anglo-Indian Ebonized Mahogany 5-Drawer secretary. ( w/Secret Compartment). Inlaid Brass & Mother of Pearl, with Faux Tortoise Shell & Parcel Gilt

Category

19th Century English Anglo-Indian Antique Cabinets With Secret Compartments

Solid Walnut Bureau With Secret Compartments from 1740
Solid Walnut Bureau With Secret Compartments from 1740

Solid Walnut Bureau With Secret Compartments from 1740

Located in Gloucestershire, GB

Exceptionally fine quality early 18th century walnut bureau with excellent moulded edge to drawers, good dovetails to drawers including those to the interior, the cleated fall front ...

Category

18th Century and Earlier English Antique Cabinets With Secret Compartments

Materials

Walnut

Fine Tramp Art Painted Shelf with a Heart & Secret Compartments
Fine Tramp Art Painted Shelf with a Heart & Secret Compartments

Fine Tramp Art Painted Shelf with a Heart & Secret Compartments

By Adelard Langevin

Located in Manalapan, NJ

Fine painted tramp art shelf with a large central heart, mirrors and secret locking mechanisms to open the drawers and side compartments. Sturdy and well made. Attributed to Adelad L...

Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Antique Cabinets With Secret Compartments

Bureau Desk 18th Century Georgian with Secret Compartments Cuban Mahogany
Bureau Desk 18th Century Georgian with Secret Compartments Cuban Mahogany

Bureau Desk 18th Century Georgian with Secret Compartments Cuban Mahogany

Located in Santander, ES

The fall front door, once open, it reveals an original green leather writing surface and an intricate and attractive interior display of compartments and serpentine shaped drawers, s...

Category

1770s English George III Antique Cabinets With Secret Compartments

Materials

Mahogany

Fine and Rare Mid-18th Century Chest with Secret Compartment, circa 1750
Fine and Rare Mid-18th Century Chest with Secret Compartment, circa 1750

Fine and Rare Mid-18th Century Chest with Secret Compartment, circa 1750

Located in Wiltshire, GB

A fine and rare mid 18th century chest with secret compartment, circa 1750. Possibly by Henry/Philip Bell 1736-1774 St Pauls Churchyard, London. Dimensions width 33" (84cm) d...

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Mid-18th Century English Antique Cabinets With Secret Compartments

18th Century Double Bowed Desk with Secret Compartments
18th Century Double Bowed Desk with Secret Compartments

18th Century Double Bowed Desk with Secret Compartments

Located in Charlevoix, MI

A handsome double bowed drop front desk with carved claw and ball feet dating from the 18th century. The bottom has four spacious drawers while the folding writing surface closes to ...

Category

18th Century European Antique Cabinets With Secret Compartments

Materials

Burl, Oak

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Striking Art Nouveau Ceramic and Bronze-Mounted Vase in Victor Horta Style
Striking Art Nouveau Ceramic and Bronze-Mounted Vase in Victor Horta Style

Striking Art Nouveau Ceramic and Bronze-Mounted Vase in Victor Horta Style

By Victor Horta

Located in Lisse, NL

Top condition and pure elegance Art Nouveau vase. For the collectors of museum quality and condition Art Nouveau ceramics. This stunning Art Nouveau vase is decorated with the mos...

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Early 20th Century European Art Nouveau Antique Cabinets With Secret Compartments

Materials

Bronze

Stunning Art Deco Young Woman Portrait Framed Signed Rare Original Oil Painting
Stunning Art Deco Young Woman Portrait Framed Signed Rare Original Oil Painting

Stunning Art Deco Young Woman Portrait Framed Signed Rare Original Oil Painting

Located in Buffalo, NY

Exquisite antique portrait painting of a young fashionable woman. Framed. Oil on canvas. Signed. Image size, 31H by 24L.

Category

1890s Impressionist Antique Cabinets With Secret Compartments

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Rare Moses Michelangelo Guggenheim & Pauly Cie Et Venice Antique Carved Armoire
Rare Moses Michelangelo Guggenheim & Pauly Cie Et Venice Antique Carved Armoire

Rare Moses Michelangelo Guggenheim & Pauly Cie Et Venice Antique Carved Armoire

By Pauly et Cie, Guggenheim Museum

Located in West Sussex, Pulborough

We are delighted to offer for sale this very rare one of a kind Pauly CIE Et stamped hand carved walnut armoire made by the genius that was Moses Michelangelo Guggenheim 1837-1910 W...

Category

19th Century Italian Victorian Antique Cabinets With Secret Compartments

Materials

Walnut

19th Century Exceptional Extendable Biedermeier Walnut Table. Vienna, c. 1825.
19th Century Exceptional Extendable Biedermeier Walnut Table. Vienna, c. 1825.

19th Century Exceptional Extendable Biedermeier Walnut Table. Vienna, c. 1825.

Located in Vienna, AT

Exceptional Viennese Biedermeier Extendable Table, Circa 1825 A rare masterpiece from the golden era of Viennese Biedermeier, this extendable table epitomizes the refined elegance, ...

Category

Early 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Cabinets With Secret Compartments

Materials

Walnut

Erik Chambert Birch and Walnut Cabinet. Circa 1920s
Erik Chambert Birch and Walnut Cabinet. Circa 1920s

Erik Chambert Birch and Walnut Cabinet. Circa 1920s

$15,000

H 71.25 in W 42 in D 18.5 in

Erik Chambert Birch and Walnut Cabinet. Circa 1920s

Located in New York, NY

A Swedish birchwood, walnut and palisander cabinet by Erik Chambert, Circa 1920s, produced by Chamberts Möbelfabrik , the upper half with an overhanging cornice molding above two cup...

Category

1920s Swedish Art Deco Antique Cabinets With Secret Compartments

Materials

Birch, Walnut

Vintage Distressed Mirrored Vanity and Chair
Vintage Distressed Mirrored Vanity and Chair

Vintage Distressed Mirrored Vanity and Chair

$3,450 / set

H 65.75 in W 50 in D 23.75 in

Vintage Distressed Mirrored Vanity and Chair

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

This enchanting vintage vanity captures the romantic allure of French Provincial and Neoclassical design through a soulful, aged lens. The dressing table features a graceful serpenti...

Category

Mid-20th Century American French Provincial Antique Cabinets With Secret Compartments

Materials

Serpentine

French 18th Century Massive Louis XV Carved Armoire
French 18th Century Massive Louis XV Carved Armoire

French 18th Century Massive Louis XV Carved Armoire

Located in Baton Rouge, LA

Louis XV period (18th century) French solid walnut armoire with stylized carvings that trace the dramatic paneled doors and serpentine apron, giving this large storage piece its hist...

Category

18th Century French Louis XV Antique Cabinets With Secret Compartments

Materials

Iron

19th Century Exceptional Biedermeier Cherry Pedestal Table. Vienna, c. 1825.
19th Century Exceptional Biedermeier Cherry Pedestal Table. Vienna, c. 1825.

19th Century Exceptional Biedermeier Cherry Pedestal Table. Vienna, c. 1825.

Located in Vienna, AT

We are delighted to present this exceptional and rare Viennese Biedermeier cherrywood tilt-top table, crafted in Vienna circa 1825—a truly outstanding example of early 19th-century f...

Category

Early 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Cabinets With Secret Compartments

Materials

Cherry, Maple, Walnut

Empire Secrétaire with Caryatids, Early 19th Century
Empire Secrétaire with Caryatids, Early 19th Century

Empire Secrétaire with Caryatids, Early 19th Century

$8,056

H 58.86 in W 38.39 in D 20.08 in

Empire Secrétaire with Caryatids, Early 19th Century

Located in Greding, DE

Empire secretary featuring four drawers and a flat fall-front writing surface. The piece stands on ebonized and gold-patinated paw feet and is flanked by pilasters carved with wooden...

Category

Early 19th Century German Empire Antique Cabinets With Secret Compartments

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Biedermeier Nutwood Vitrine/ Display Cabinet, Austria circa 1840
19th Century Biedermeier Nutwood Vitrine/ Display Cabinet, Austria circa 1840

19th Century Biedermeier Nutwood Vitrine/ Display Cabinet, Austria circa 1840

Located in Lichtenberg, AT

Remarkable 19th century nutwood display cabinet/ vitrine from the famous Biedermeier period in Austria around 1840. Veneered in fine nutwood, this beautiful Biedermeier vitrine impre...

Category

Mid-19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Cabinets With Secret Compartments

Materials

Brass

French Art Deco Secretary Cabinet by André Arbus
French Art Deco Secretary Cabinet by André Arbus

French Art Deco Secretary Cabinet by André Arbus

$16,000

H 51.58 in W 25.99 in D 17.72 in

French Art Deco Secretary Cabinet by André Arbus

By André Arbus

Located in grand Lancy, CH

Andre Arbus Sloping mahogany secreter with two drawers and a drop-leaf door. Sycamore maple interior with six small drawers and a central niche lined with parchment; gilt bronze knob...

Category

1940s French Antique Cabinets With Secret Compartments

Materials

Brass

An Imperial Japanese Meiji Shibayama Tea Cabinet by The Tokugawa Samurai Clan
An Imperial Japanese Meiji Shibayama Tea Cabinet by The Tokugawa Samurai Clan

An Imperial Japanese Meiji Shibayama Tea Cabinet by The Tokugawa Samurai Clan

Located in Long Island City, NY, NY

An Imperial Japanese Meiji Shibayama Tea Ceremony Cabinet by The Tokugawa Samurai Clan. This extraordinary Meiji-period shibayama cabinet, attributed to the Tokugawa samurai clan, s...

Category

19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cabinets With Secret Compartments

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl, Wood, Lacquer

Finely Carved Mahogany Four Post King Size Bed
Finely Carved Mahogany Four Post King Size Bed

Finely Carved Mahogany Four Post King Size Bed

$10,857 / item

H 90.25 in W 86 in D 88.25 in

Finely Carved Mahogany Four Post King Size Bed

Located in Westwood, NJ

A finely carved mahogany and figured mahogany rice bed, the serpentine arched and molded edge headboard flanked by acanthus leaf and rice carved baluster turned posts with urn finial...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Chippendale Antique Cabinets With Secret Compartments

Materials

Mahogany

French Renaissance Armoire
French Renaissance Armoire

French Renaissance Armoire

$94,778

H 68.71 in W 56.3 in D 22.84 in

French Renaissance Armoire

Located in Saint-Ouen, FR

Original lock and key This piece of furniture shows no recess on its upper part. It opens with four folding-doors and two drawers within the belt. The key bears the date 1524 abov...

Category

16th Century French Renaissance Antique Cabinets With Secret Compartments

Materials

Walnut

17th Century Japanese Lacquer Cabinet On French Giltwood Regence Stand
17th Century Japanese Lacquer Cabinet On French Giltwood Regence Stand

17th Century Japanese Lacquer Cabinet On French Giltwood Regence Stand

Located in Benington, Herts

An Extremely Fine and Very Important 17th Century Japanese Lacquer Cabinet on French Giltwood Stand of Regence Period circa 1680-1690 Provenance Likely acquired by Herman Willem ...

Category

17th Century Japanese Edo Antique Cabinets With Secret Compartments

Materials

Giltwood, Lacquer

Empire Secretary Desk, France 19th century
Empire Secretary Desk, France 19th century

Empire Secretary Desk, France 19th century

$11,000

H 56.7 in W 38.19 in D 18.12 in

Empire Secretary Desk, France 19th century

Located in Belmont, MA

French Empire Secretary Desk, 19th Century – Mahogany Veneer, Marble Top, Bronze Details This stunning 19th-century French Empire secretary desk is a true statement piece, showcasin...

Category

1810s French Empire Antique Cabinets With Secret Compartments

Materials

Marble

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Antique Cabinets With Secret Compartments For Sale on 1stDibs

There is a range of antique cabinets with secret compartments for sale on 1stDibs. Each of these unique antique cabinets with secret compartments was constructed with extraordinary care, often using wood, walnut and metal. We have 175 antique and vintage antique cabinets with secret compartments in-stock, while there are 3 modern editions to choose from as well. Antique cabinets with secret compartments have been made for many years, and versions that date back to the 18th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 21st Century. Antique cabinets with secret compartments are generally popular furniture pieces, but Victorian, Georgian and louis xv styles are often sought at 1stDibs. Many antique cabinets with secret compartments are appealing in their simplicity, but Betjemanns & Sons, David Edwards and F.L. Hausburg produced popular antique cabinets with secret compartments that are worth a look.

How Much are Antique Cabinets With Secret Compartments?

Antique cabinets with secret compartments can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price at 1stDibs is $5,500, while the lowest priced sells for $524 and the highest can go for as much as $275,000.

Finding the Right Storage-case-pieces for You

Of all the vintage storage cabinets and antique case pieces 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 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. Alternatively, apothecary cabinets are charming case goods similar in size to early dressers or commodes but with uniquely sized shelving and (often numerous) drawers.

Whether you’re seeking a playful sideboard that features colored glass and metal details, 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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