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Petite Antique French Louis XVI style Bronze Mounted Table Vitrine
Petite Antique French Louis XVI style Bronze Mounted Table Vitrine

Petite Antique French Louis XVI style Bronze Mounted Table Vitrine

Located in Swedesboro, NJ

Gracefully proportioned and richly detailed, the vitrine features a fully glazed display case with beveled glass on the top and sides, allowing light to illuminate displayed objects ...

Category

19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Display Cases

Materials

Bronze

Mahogany bow front display cabinet
Mahogany bow front display cabinet

Mahogany bow front display cabinet

$3,867Sale Price|20% Off

Mahogany bow front display cabinet

Located in Cheshire, GB

Mahogany bow front display cabinet. Having a pair of glazed doors enclosing shelved and watermark silk upholstered interior, flanked by glazed ends. All raised up on tapering support...

Category

Early 20th Century British Antique Display Cases

Materials

Wood

French Louis XVI Display Cabinet
French Louis XVI Display Cabinet

French Louis XVI Display Cabinet

Located in Dallas, TX

19th century French Louis XVi carved and painted display cabinet. Circa 1860. A fine addition to any home! 40w x 16d x 64h

Category

19th Century Antique Display Cases

Materials

Glass, Wood

Regency Mahogany Collector's Display Cabinet
Regency Mahogany Collector's Display Cabinet

Regency Mahogany Collector's Display Cabinet

Located in Bradenton, FL

An English Regency mahogany collector's display cabinet is an elegant and refined piece of furniture typical of the Regency period (early 19th century, roughly 1811–1820). The style ...

Category

Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Display Cases

Materials

Mahogany

19thC Irish Mahogany Display Cabinet
19thC Irish Mahogany Display Cabinet

19thC Irish Mahogany Display Cabinet

Located in Staffordshire, GB

circa 1900 19thC Irish Mahogany Display Cabinet sku 1823 W126 x D46 x H201 cm Weight 72 kg Internal depth shelf 41 cm

Category

19th Century Antique Display Cases

Materials

Mahogany

Small Georgian Display Cabinet
Small Georgian Display Cabinet

Small Georgian Display Cabinet

Located in East Aurora, NY

An attractive small size Georgian Mahogany display cabinet with fixed shelves and a fitted fabric interior.

Category

Early 19th Century English Georgian Antique Display Cases

Materials

Mahogany

Edwardian Marquetry Bijouterie Display Table
Edwardian Marquetry Bijouterie Display Table

Edwardian Marquetry Bijouterie Display Table

Located in Altrincham, GB

Edwardian Marquetry Bijouterie Display Table of Mahogany Frame on Slender Cabriole Legs - 21"diam x 37"h

Category

Early 1900s English Edwardian Antique Display Cases

Materials

Glass, Mahogany

A regency period mahogany display cabinet
A regency period mahogany display cabinet

A regency period mahogany display cabinet

Located in London, GB

English, ca. 1820 This Regency-period cabinet is crafted from richly figured mahogany and adorned with elegant bronze mounts that highlight its refined decorative character. The r...

Category

Early 19th Century British Regency Antique Display Cases

Materials

Bronze

Wonderful English Painted Display Cabinet
Wonderful English Painted Display Cabinet

Wonderful English Painted Display Cabinet

Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire

Wonderful 19th century English painted and glazed oak display cabinet / bookcase with sliding doors and adjustable shelving. 1860. Reference: 7897 Dimensions 121.5 inches (309...

Category

19th Century English Victorian Antique Display Cases

Materials

Oak

Lovely Display Cabinet / Tallboy, France
Lovely Display Cabinet / Tallboy, France

Lovely Display Cabinet / Tallboy, France

Located in Copenhagen K, DK

Handsome antique display cabinet / tallboy, and a super way for storing dishes/porcelain, wine glasses and cutlery. The cabinet is from circa 1900 France, and was originally a bookca...

Category

Early 20th Century French Antique Display Cases

Materials

Glass, Wood

LARGE SHOP DISPLAY  / Hotel / Large House Vintage Edwardian Display Shelf
LARGE SHOP DISPLAY  / Hotel / Large House Vintage Edwardian Display Shelf

LARGE SHOP DISPLAY / Hotel / Large House Vintage Edwardian Display Shelf

Located in Markington, GB

Industrial VERY LARGE Shop display also for Hotel / Large House Vintage Edwardian Two Ladder Display Shelf, we bought this out of the Windsor of Woollies knitwear mill, they made fa...

Category

Early 20th Century British Edwardian Antique Display Cases

Materials

Wood

Antique Brass Display Cabinet - Vitrine
Antique Brass Display Cabinet - Vitrine

Antique Brass Display Cabinet - Vitrine

Located in København, København

Large French antique brass vitrine with 2 glass shelves, mirrored top and bottom as well as back. The vitrine is made by renowned Parisian manufaturer S.I.V. (Société Industrielles d...

Category

Early 1900s French Antique Display Cases

Materials

Brass

Antique Industrial Kitchen Island / Display Table
Antique Industrial Kitchen Island / Display Table

Antique Industrial Kitchen Island / Display Table

Located in Oakville, CT

Antique Printer's Cabinet by Hamilton Manufacturing Co, Two Rivers, WI (Serial Number 3975-23114-32) Overall Dimensions: 31" deep x 39 1/4" wide x 38 1/2" high Drawer Dimensions: 1...

Category

Early 20th Century American Antique Display Cases

Materials

Berlin Iron, Steel

Antique Chinese Hardwood Display Cabinet
Antique Chinese Hardwood Display Cabinet

Antique Chinese Hardwood Display Cabinet

Located in Suffolk, GB

Antique Chinese hardwood display cabinet having a pierced gallery top above stepped shelves and supported by turned columns, four inlaid cupboards doors and two drawers with carved h...

Category

19th Century Unknown Victorian Antique Display Cases

Materials

Hardwood

Art Nouveau Mahogany Display Cabinet
Art Nouveau Mahogany Display Cabinet

Art Nouveau Mahogany Display Cabinet

Located in Brussels, BE

Art Nouveau mahogany display cabinet.

Category

1920s European Art Nouveau Antique Display Cases

Materials

Wood

Antique Victorian Satinwood Display Cabinet
Antique Victorian Satinwood Display Cabinet

Antique Victorian Satinwood Display Cabinet

Located in London, GB

A magnificent and very rare antique Victorian satinwood display cabinet, beautifully made from inlaid satinwood. This was made in England, it dates from around the 1880-1890 period. ...

Category

1890s English Victorian Antique Display Cases

Materials

Satinwood, Glass, Fabric

19th Century Satinwood Display Cabinet
19th Century Satinwood Display Cabinet

19th Century Satinwood Display Cabinet

Located in Martlesham, GB

19th century satinwood display cabinet in the Sheraton style, having a pierced brass gallery above two glazed doors, opening to reveal two shelves inside, flaked either side by gradu...

Category

1890s British Sheraton Antique Display Cases

Materials

Satinwood

French Display Cabinet, circa 1880
French Display Cabinet, circa 1880

French Display Cabinet, circa 1880

Located in Austin, TX

French rosewood cabinet vitrine with one drawer, glass door for display circa 1880, five shelves, antique key included. Minor wood loss.

Category

1880s French Napoleon III Antique Display Cases

Materials

Rosewood

Massive Art Deco Mirrored Display Cabinet
Massive Art Deco Mirrored Display Cabinet

Massive Art Deco Mirrored Display Cabinet

Located in Dekalb, IL

Monumental Art Deco display cabinet with mirrored back and reverse-painted figural glass. Built to impress, this full-height cabinet combines rich, bookmatched veneer with machine-a...

Category

1920s American Art Deco Antique Display Cases

Materials

Glass, Mirror, Wood

Mid Victorian Burr Walnut Display Cabinet
Mid Victorian Burr Walnut Display Cabinet

Mid Victorian Burr Walnut Display Cabinet

Located in Lymington, Hampshire

A mid Victorian burr walnut display cabinet, of rectangular breakfront form, with four glazed doors and sides, mirror-backed with two adjustable glass shelves, decorated with delicat...

Category

19th Century British Victorian Antique Display Cases

Materials

Walnut

Dutch Marquetry Display Cabinet Circa 1800
Dutch Marquetry Display Cabinet Circa 1800

Dutch Marquetry Display Cabinet Circa 1800

Located in Brussels, Brussels

A superb and rare Dutch display cabinet from the late 18th/early 19th century made from marquetry of light woods such as boxwood and satinwood on a walnut background. A superb examp...

Category

Early 19th Century Dutch Louis XVI Antique Display Cases

Materials

Walnut

Late Victorian Inlaid Rosewood Display Cabinet
Late Victorian Inlaid Rosewood Display Cabinet

Late Victorian Inlaid Rosewood Display Cabinet

Located in Worcester, GB

Late Victorian Inlaid Rosewood Display Cabinet Period: c.1890 Material: Rosewood, Inlaid Wood, Brass Origin: England This elegant Late Victorian display cabinet is crafted from ros...

Category

Late 19th Century Antique Display Cases

Materials

Rosewood

Tall Victorian Oak Rolling Glass Display Cabinet
Tall Victorian Oak Rolling Glass Display Cabinet

Tall Victorian Oak Rolling Glass Display Cabinet

Located in Dekalb, IL

The front paneled doors are fitted with a working lock and key, opening wide to access the interior display area.

Category

Late 19th Century American Victorian Antique Display Cases

Materials

Porcelain, Glass, Wood

Charles X Display Cabinet, France, circa 1830
Charles X Display Cabinet, France, circa 1830

Charles X Display Cabinet, France, circa 1830

Located in Greding, DE

Very tall yet relatively narrow display cabinet with a two-door lower section and a glazed two-door upper case.

Category

1830s French Charles X Antique Display Cases

Materials

Glass, Maple

Rare 19th Century Italian Walnut Pair of Antique Bookcases or Vitrines RESTORED
Rare 19th Century Italian Walnut Pair of Antique Bookcases or Vitrines RESTORED

Rare 19th Century Italian Walnut Pair of Antique Bookcases or Vitrines RESTORED

Located in Casale Monferrato, IT

Consider using them to store your books or as display cases for your private collections of ceramics, silver, or other precious objects.

Category

Late 19th Century Italian Antique Display Cases

Materials

Walnut

Early 20th Century Chinese display cabinet
Early 20th Century Chinese display cabinet

Early 20th Century Chinese display cabinet

Located in Martlesham, GB

Early 20th Century Chinese hardwood display cabinet, having a nice arrangement of shelves with cupboards and drawers below, original brassware, the sides of the cabinet having decora...

Category

1910s Chinese Antique Display Cases

Materials

Elm

Fine Quality Short & Mason Brass Cased Barograph
Fine Quality Short & Mason Brass Cased Barograph

Fine Quality Short & Mason Brass Cased Barograph

Located in Cheshire, GB

A fine quality early 20th century brass cased barograph by Short & Mason of London, housed within its original glazed display case and raised on a stepped ebonised plinth base.

Category

Early 20th Century British Antique Display Cases

Materials

Metal

A Fine Victorian Satinwood Display Cabinet
A Fine Victorian Satinwood Display Cabinet

A Fine Victorian Satinwood Display Cabinet

Located in London, GB

A Beautiful Victorian Satinwood Display Cabinet Delicate Intricate Carving Lovely Glazed Doors with Astragal Glazing Bars The Interior Consists on Shelves lined Hand Painted Floral ...

Category

Late 19th Century English Late Victorian Antique Display Cases

Materials

Satinwood

Art Nouveau Display Cabinet Mahogany 1890
Art Nouveau Display Cabinet Mahogany 1890

Art Nouveau Display Cabinet Mahogany 1890

Located in Potters Bar, GB

Unusual mahogany Art Nouveau display cabinet with mirrors Fine astragal glazed door circa 1890 Fully restored by our inhouse restorer Bought from a private house sale in London's Blo...

Category

1890s Art Nouveau Antique Display Cases

Materials

Mahogany

English Neo-classical Pine Display Cabinet
English Neo-classical Pine Display Cabinet

English Neo-classical Pine Display Cabinet

Located in Dallas, TX

19th Century English Neo-classical carved pine display cabinet. Circa 1860. A fine addition to any home! 47w x 22d x 90h

Category

19th Century Antique Display Cases

Materials

Glass, Pine

19th century display cabinet on stand
19th century display cabinet on stand

19th century display cabinet on stand

Located in Cheshire, GB

Display cabinet on stands the moulded pagoda-style top above bevelled glazed doors opening to reveal a velvet-lined interior and single glass shelf. The base section fitted with free...

Category

19th Century British Antique Display Cases

Materials

Wood

Antique Edwardian Mirrored Shop Display Cabinet
Antique Edwardian Mirrored Shop Display Cabinet

Antique Edwardian Mirrored Shop Display Cabinet

Located in Ware, GB

This exquisite Edwardian mahogany shop display dresser, crafted in 1902 for a Devon jewellery shop, showcases a stunning mirrored back and elegant glass shelving, perfect for highlig...

Category

1920s British Edwardian Antique Display Cases

Materials

Glass, Mirror, Wood, Mahogany

Art Nouveau Display Cabinet Period 1890
Art Nouveau Display Cabinet Period 1890

Art Nouveau Display Cabinet Period 1890

Located in Potters Bar, GB

Impressive art nouveau mahogany display cabinet. Circa 1890 This cabinet is raised upon cabriole legs with a shaped frieze. The bow central door having lead work glass. The upper sec...

Category

1890s Art Nouveau Antique Display Cases

Materials

Mahogany

Art Nouveau style display cabinet, early 20th
Art Nouveau style display cabinet, early 20th

Art Nouveau style display cabinet, early 20th

Located in Linkebeek, BE

Art Nouveau - Decoration - Home Decor Art Nouveau style collector's display cabinet, early 20th. Mahogany frame with two translucent textured glass doors at the front, surmounted by ...

Category

Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Antique Display Cases

Materials

Glass, Wood

19th Century Watch Winding Display Cabinet
19th Century Watch Winding Display Cabinet

19th Century Watch Winding Display Cabinet

Located in New Orleans, LA

This incredible, one-of-a-kind watch display cabinet brings together the beauty of an antique with the functionality of modern technology. Crafted of mahogany, this 19th century jewe...

Category

19th Century Unknown Empire Antique Display Cases

Materials

Mahogany

Carved Giltwood Display Cabinet
Carved Giltwood Display Cabinet

Carved Giltwood Display Cabinet

$8,559Sale Price|50% Off

Carved Giltwood Display Cabinet

Located in London, GB

A late 19th century carved giltwood display cabinet in the French taste, with three glass shelves, and mirrored interior back, circa 1880. The cabinet is has distinct and crisp fl...

Category

Late 19th Century European Antique Display Cases

Materials

Giltwood

Early 20th Century French Giltwood Display Cabinet
Early 20th Century French Giltwood Display Cabinet

Early 20th Century French Giltwood Display Cabinet

Located in London, GB

Early 20th century French giltwood display cabinet French, early 20th century Measures: Height 175cm, width 130cm, depth 40cm This beautiful early 20th Century display cabinet i...

Category

Early 20th Century French Antique Display Cases

Materials

Metal

Display Cabinet, Late 18th / Early 19th Century
Display Cabinet, Late 18th / Early 19th Century

Display Cabinet, Late 18th / Early 19th Century

Located in Greding, DE

Solid oak display cabinet with a two-door glazed upper section and a two-door lower cupboard. The shaped crest, molded framing, and subtly contoured panels give the piece a distincti...

Category

Early 19th Century Baroque Antique Display Cases

Materials

Glass, Oak

19th Century Flemish Renaissance Revival Bookcase
19th Century Flemish Renaissance Revival Bookcase

19th Century Flemish Renaissance Revival Bookcase

Located in Dallas, TX

With this master stroke one can easily envision this display case serving in a wide variety of uses, not just as a bookcase!

Category

1870s Belgian Renaissance Revival Antique Display Cases

Materials

Glass, Oak

Sheraton Display Cabinet Mahogany Inlay, 1880
Sheraton Display Cabinet Mahogany Inlay, 1880

Sheraton Display Cabinet Mahogany Inlay, 1880

Located in Potters Bar, GB

Mahogany Sheraton Revival Display Cabinet. Standing on tapered legs with spade feet. circa 1880 This piece has a central Marquetry panel, 2 x glazed doors with original locks and ...

Category

1880s Antique Display Cases

Materials

Mahogany

Louis XV Style Display Cabinet, 19th Century
Louis XV Style Display Cabinet, 19th Century

Louis XV Style Display Cabinet, 19th Century

Located in PARIS, FR

Louis XV Style Display Cabinet – 19th Century Elegant Louis XV style display cabinet dating from the 19th century, in marquetry wood and adorned with rich, finely chiseled gilt bron...

Category

19th Century Antique Display Cases

Materials

Bronze

Antique Chinese Style Teakwood Display Cabinet
Antique Chinese Style Teakwood Display Cabinet

Antique Chinese Style Teakwood Display Cabinet

Located in New Orleans, LA

Antique Mid 19th Century Chinese Style Teakwood Display Cabinet. Small storage shelves below main body of cabinet. Glass door.

Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Display Cases

Materials

Teak

Late 19th Century Satinwood Display Cabinet
Late 19th Century Satinwood Display Cabinet

Late 19th Century Satinwood Display Cabinet

Located in Cheshire, GB

Very large satinwood display cabinet. The moulded cornice with pendant-drop frieze. To the large central glazed door opening to reveal original velvet-lined interior having two adjus...

Category

Early 20th Century British Antique Display Cases

Materials

Satinwood

Edwardian Inlaid Mahogany Corner Display Cabinet 1910
Edwardian Inlaid Mahogany Corner Display Cabinet 1910

Edwardian Inlaid Mahogany Corner Display Cabinet 1910

Located in Potters Bar, GB

A refined Edwardian inlaid mahogany corner display cabinet circa 1910 The upper section features a glazed door with astragal moulding, enclosing shaped shelves ideal for displaying d...

Category

1910s Edwardian Antique Display Cases

Materials

Mahogany

Quality Antique Victorian French display cabinet
Quality Antique Victorian French display cabinet

Quality Antique Victorian French display cabinet

Located in Ipswich, GB

Quality Antique Victorian French display cabinet having an ebonised top, pretty quality oval sévres style plaque to the frieze, lovely ornate brass mounts, boxwood inlay, single glaz...

Category

Early 19th Century Victorian Antique Display Cases

Materials

Brass

Two Antique Glazed Museum Display Cabinets
Two Antique Glazed Museum Display Cabinets

Two Antique Glazed Museum Display Cabinets

Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire

Superb large antique glazed mahogany museum display cabinets from the V&A Museum, London. There are doors to each end, opening opposite to each other. Price is for each display cabi...

Category

Early 20th Century English Edwardian Antique Display Cases

Materials

Brass

Antique English Display Cabinet Edwardian Period
Antique English Display Cabinet Edwardian Period

Antique English Display Cabinet Edwardian Period

Located in New Orleans, LA

This display cabinet is graced with delicate hand painting. There is plenty of room for displaying one's treasures as well. It is a lovely piece of craftsmanship.

Category

Late 19th Century English Edwardian Antique Display Cases

Materials

Satinwood

Kingwood Display Cabinet by Haentges Frères
Kingwood Display Cabinet by Haentges Frères

Kingwood Display Cabinet by Haentges Frères

By Haentges Freres

Located in Lymington, Hampshire

Little else is known about the firm although they made good quality case and seat furniture in the Louis XVI style, especially bedroom suites.

Category

19th Century French Antique Display Cases

Materials

Kingwood

Fine Edwardian Chinoiserie Decorated Display Cabinet
Fine Edwardian Chinoiserie Decorated Display Cabinet

Fine Edwardian Chinoiserie Decorated Display Cabinet

By Maple & Co.

Located in Dereham, GB

Fine Edwardian Chinoiserie Decorated Display Cabinet Black & Gold Decoration, Moulded & Shaped cornice, Single Centre Door with three quarter glazed Bevelled Glass, Chinoiserie p...

Category

Early 1900s British Chinoiserie Antique Display Cases

Materials

Lacquer

19thC French Ebonised Glazed Display Cabinet
19thC French Ebonised Glazed Display Cabinet

19thC French Ebonised Glazed Display Cabinet

Located in Staffordshire, GB

Circa 1890 19thC French Ebonised fruitwood Glazed display cabinet Single door Measures: W 105 x D 50 x H 176cm.    

Category

19th Century Antique Display Cases

Materials

Fruitwood

18C Irish Sheraton Satinwood Display Cabinet
18C Irish Sheraton Satinwood Display Cabinet

18C Irish Sheraton Satinwood Display Cabinet

Located in Dallas, TX

PRESENTING AN EXCEPTIONAL AND RARE 18C Irish Sheraton Satinwood Display Cabinet of GORGEOUS neat ‘diminutive’ proportions, from circa 1780-1800. Made of beautifully naturally patina...

Category

Late 18th Century English Sheraton Antique Display Cases

Materials

Mahogany, Satinwood

Mahogany Wood Chippendale Style Display Cabinet
Mahogany Wood Chippendale Style Display Cabinet

Mahogany Wood Chippendale Style Display Cabinet

Located in Tarry Town, NY

Early 20th century mahogany wood frame and glass display cabinet with two adjustable glass shelves. The cabinet features two front glass door with two interior removable glass shelve...

Category

Early 20th Century Chippendale Antique Display Cases

Materials

Glass, Mahogany

19th Century Dutch Marquetry Display Cabinet
19th Century Dutch Marquetry Display Cabinet

19th Century Dutch Marquetry Display Cabinet

Located in Tarry Town, NY

Very exquisite 19th century Dutch marquetry hand carved mahogany display cabinet. The cabinet is beautifully decorated with marquetry inlay including floral images, cherubs, birds an...

Category

Early 19th Century Dutch Antique Display Cases

Materials

Brass

Antique White Painted Rococo Display Cabinet
Antique White Painted Rococo Display Cabinet

Antique White Painted Rococo Display Cabinet

Located in Round Top, TX

Lovely rococo curves and carvings accentuate this striking Vitrine or display cabinet from Sweden. Note the exagerated curves and heavily carved feet that combine for dramatic effect...

Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Display Cases

Materials

Glass, Wood, Paint

Unusual 18th Century Georgian Mahogany Display Cabinet
Unusual 18th Century Georgian Mahogany Display Cabinet

Unusual 18th Century Georgian Mahogany Display Cabinet

Located in Bedfordshire, GB

An Extremely Unusual Late 18th Century, George III Period, Mahogany China Display Cabinet, Or Bookcase, Having Well Figured Step Moulded Cornice Over Two Astragal Glazed Doors, Enclo...

Category

Late 18th Century English Sheraton Antique Display Cases

Materials

Mahogany

German Mahogany Display Cabinet, 19th Century
German Mahogany Display Cabinet, 19th Century

German Mahogany Display Cabinet, 19th Century

Located in Brussels, BE

German mahogany display cabinet, 19th century.

Category

19th Century German Antique Display Cases

19th Century French Display Shelves
19th Century French Display Shelves

19th Century French Display Shelves

Located in Gloucestershire, GB

Stunning 19th Century French display shelf. This display piece would have originally come from a 'Boulangerie' in France. It would have been used to display the day's bread, croissan...

Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Display Cases

Materials

Wrought Iron

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Antique Display Cases For Sale on 1stDibs

An assortment of antique display cases is available at 1stDibs. Frequently made of wood, glass and mahogany, all antique display cases available were constructed with great care. Antique display cases have been produced for many years, with earlier versions available from the 18th Century and newer variations made as recently as the 20th Century. There are many kinds of antique display cases to choose from, but at 1stDibs, Victorian, Louis XV and Louis XVI antique display cases are of considerable interest. Maple & Co., Edwards and Roberts and Siegel Paris each produced beautiful antique display cases that are worth considering.

How Much are Antique Display Cases?

Prices for antique display cases start at $40 and top out at $21,097,188 with the average selling for $3,879.

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.

Questions About Antique Display Cases
  • 1stDibs ExpertNovember 2, 2021
    A glass display case is also called a showcase, vitrine, or display cabinet. It usually has one or more panels of transparent glass that allows for proper display of your treasured collectibles. Find a collection of antique and vintage furniture on 1stDibs today.

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