Antique Chinese Shelves
19th Century English Chinese Chippendale Antique Chinese Shelves
Bamboo, Lacquer
Late 19th Century American Industrial Antique Chinese Shelves
Steel, Iron
Early 20th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Shelves
Lacquer
Mid-19th Century Chinese Qing Antique Chinese Shelves
Elm
Late 19th Century Chinese Qing Antique Chinese Shelves
Elm
Late 19th Century Chinese Qing Antique Chinese Shelves
Elm
Early 20th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Shelves
Wood
Mid-19th Century Chinese Qing Antique Chinese Shelves
Elm
19th Century Chinese Han Antique Chinese Shelves
Lacquer, Paint
Early 20th Century Antique Chinese Shelves
Faux Bamboo, Rosewood
Early 1900s English Arts and Crafts Antique Chinese Shelves
Oak
19th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Antique Chinese Shelves
Mirror, Bamboo
1890s Chinese Qing Antique Chinese Shelves
Bamboo, Lacquer
Late 19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Antique Chinese Shelves
Hardwood
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Shelves
Elm, Lacquer
Early 1900s Chinese Chinese Export Antique Chinese Shelves
Wood
Mid-19th Century Chinese Qing Antique Chinese Shelves
Brass
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Shelves
Elm
Early 20th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Shelves
Brass
Early 20th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Shelves
Wood
19th Century Chinese Qing Antique Chinese Shelves
Elm
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Antique Chinese Shelves
Metal
Early 20th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Shelves
Wood
Early 20th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Shelves
Elm, Rattan
19th Century Chinese Qing Antique Chinese Shelves
Wood
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Antique Chinese Shelves
Hardwood
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Antique Chinese Shelves
Bronze
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Shelves
Brass
1910s American Arts and Crafts Antique Chinese Shelves
Brass
19th Century American Jacobean Antique Chinese Shelves
Glass, Oak
Early 19th Century Chinese Qing Antique Chinese Shelves
Elm
1850s French Louis XIII Antique Chinese Shelves
Oak
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Antique Chinese Shelves
Silver Leaf
Late 19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Antique Chinese Shelves
Wood
1760s English Chinese Chippendale Antique Chinese Shelves
Mahogany
Early 1700s English George III Antique Chinese Shelves
Mahogany
1770s English Chinese Chippendale Antique Chinese Shelves
Late 18th Century English Chinese Chippendale Antique Chinese Shelves
Brass
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Shelves
19th Century English Antique Chinese Shelves
Mahogany
Early 20th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Shelves
1870s Hollywood Regency Antique Chinese Shelves
Bamboo
Mid-19th Century Antique Chinese Shelves
Wood
19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Antique Chinese Shelves
Wood, Elm, Lacquer
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Shelves
Wood
Late 19th Century Chinese Qing Antique Chinese Shelves
Marble
18th Century and Earlier Chinese Antique Chinese Shelves
Metal
1780s English Chinese Chippendale Antique Chinese Shelves
Linen, Mahogany
1780s English Chinese Chippendale Antique Chinese Shelves
Brass
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Antique Chinese Shelves
Elm
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Shelves
Elm
Late 19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Antique Chinese Shelves
Hardwood
1840s Chinese Chinese Export Antique Chinese Shelves
Wood
Early 1900s Chinese Rustic Antique Chinese Shelves
Wood
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Shelves
Elm, Lacquer
19th Century British Chinese Export Antique Chinese Shelves
Wood, Lacquer
Early 19th Century English Chinese Chippendale Antique Chinese Shelves
Mahogany
Mid-19th Century Chinese Qing Antique Chinese Shelves
Brass
Early 20th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Shelves
Zitan
Early 20th Century Chinese Primitive Antique Chinese Shelves
Wood
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Antique Chinese Shelves For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are Antique Chinese Shelves?
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.
PAGODA REDOctober 7, 2020To determine the age of a Chinese furniture piece, look carefully at the joinery and finish. Natural expansion and contraction of the wood over time will cause a joint to protrude or retract, distorting a once-seamless fit. Antique lacquer finishes become crackled and worn over time. Areas of exposed wood, such as the underside of a table, the footrest of a chair, or the back of a cabinet should appear raw and dry compared to the finished surface. With use, the legs of tables and chairs become weathered near the bottom from precipitation and use.
Lotus GallerySeptember 23, 2020The best way to know is to take it to an expert, such as an appraiser, reputable dealer or auction house, or museum
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 4, 2024To identify antique Chinese furniture, look carefully at its details. Chinese craftsmen often built furniture using mortise and tenon joinery, eliminating the need for nails and screws. If you see this type of hardware, your piece is likely not at least 100 years old, especially if the hardware still looks new and shiny. Since antique furniture was handmade, you will normally see slight imperfections, such as tool marks or slight variations in carvings. Pieces that appear completely uniform and pristine are less often genuine antiques.
When present, maker's marks can also be helpful. Research the marks to learn more about when the maker was active and producing pieces like yours. Alternatively, you can have a certified appraiser or experienced antique dealer evaluate your furniture for you.
Shop an assortment of antique Chinese furniture.
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