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Antique Specimen Drawers

Antique Music Cabinet, English, Document, Specimen Drawers, Edwardian, C.1910
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
specimen drawers, dating to the Edwardian period, circa 1910. Fabulously rare and unusual stand with
Category

Early 20th Century British Antique Specimen Drawers

Materials

Wood

Antique Victorian Burr Walnut Specimen Chest of Drawers
Located in London, GB
A lovely little antique Victorian burr walnut specimen chest of drawers. This was made in England
Category

1880s British Late Victorian Antique Specimen Drawers

Materials

Walnut

Antique Wellington Chest, English Walnut Specimen Collector's Drawers, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a tall antique Wellington chest. An English, walnut collector's specimen chest of drawers
Category

1860s British Victorian Antique Specimen Drawers

Materials

Walnut

ANTIQUE GEORGIAN CIRCA 1780-1820 SEASHELL SPECIMEN COLLECTORS CHEST OF DRAWERs
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
perfect lightly restored Circa 1780-1820 Georgian salesman sample Chest of drawers which has been used as
Category

1780s English Georgian Antique Specimen Drawers

Materials

Hardwood, Satinwood

Small Antique Specimen Case, English, Oak, Collector’s Cabinet, Victorian, 1880
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
fitted with an inset, working lock — key present Doors open to reveal three specimen drawers, each
Category

1880s British Late Victorian Antique Specimen Drawers

Materials

Brass

Pair Of French Marquetry Bombe Commodes With Specimen Marble Tops
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Pair of French commodes with conforming specimen marble tops and two drawers with large cartouche
Category

Early 20th Century French Louis XV Antique Specimen Drawers

Materials

Marble, Metal

Antique Desktop Specimen Case, English, Miniature Chest of Drawers, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique desktop specimen case. An English, mahogany and brass miniature chest of
Category

Late 19th Century British Late Victorian Antique Specimen Drawers

Materials

Wood

Vintage Specimen Collector's Chest of Drawers, French, Walnut Desk Box, Art Deco
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage specimen collector's chest of drawers. A French, solid walnut four drawer
Category

Early 20th Century French Art Deco Antique Specimen Drawers

Materials

Walnut

18th Century Northern Italy Polychrome Lacca Povera Wood Antique Table Cabinet
Located in Forney, TX
apothecary paper cabinet strong box writing desk table chest of drawers specimen collector's curiosity
Category

18th Century Italian Baroque Antique Specimen Drawers

Materials

Gesso, Wood, Pine, Paint

Recent Sales

Antique Canteen, English, Oak, Campaign Cutlery, Specimen Drawers, Edwardian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
craftsmanship and form presents opportunity for use as a quality specimen cabinet Displaying a desirable aged
Category

Early 20th Century British Antique Specimen Drawers

Materials

Oak

Antique Satinwood Inlaid Flame Mahogany Seven-Drawer Specimen Cabinet
Located in Big Flats, NY
banded doors opening to reveal seven specimen drawers, 19th century Measures - 20.75" H x 16.5
Category

19th Century European Antique Specimen Drawers

Materials

Mahogany, Satinwood

Antique Specimen Collector's Chest of Drawers, English, Artist's Case, Edwardian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a fine antique specimen collector’s chest of drawers. An English supply cabinet in walnut
Category

Early 1900s British Edwardian Antique Specimen Drawers

Materials

Milk Glass, Walnut

Antique Wellington Chest of Drawers, English, Oak, Specimen Cabinet, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique Wellington chest of drawers. An English, oak specimen cabinet, dating to the
Category

Mid-19th Century British Victorian Antique Specimen Drawers

Materials

Oak

Antique Specimen Cabinet, English, Mahogany, Chest of Drawers, Shop, Edwardian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique specimen cabinet. An English, mahogany and boxwood chest of drawers ideal for
Category

Early 20th Century English Edwardian Antique Specimen Drawers

Materials

Boxwood, Mahogany

Antique Specimen Chest, English, Collector's Chest of Drawers, Georgian, C.1800
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique specimen chest. An English, mahogany suite of collector's drawers, dating to the
Category

Late 18th Century British Antique Specimen Drawers

Materials

Wood

Antique Victorian Oak Specimen Chest
Located in London, GB
A beautiful antique Victorian oak specimen chest. This was made in England, it dates from around
Category

1880s British Late Victorian Antique Specimen Drawers

Materials

Oak

Antique Victorian Oak Specimen Chest
Antique Victorian Oak Specimen Chest
H 14.18 in W 13 in D 11.42 in
Pair of 19th Century Mahogany Specimen Chests
Located in Cheshire, GB
Exceptional pair of 19th century specimen chests, having large rectangular mahogany top above nine
Category

19th Century British Antique Specimen Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century French Walnut Specimen Louis XV Style Commode
Located in WEST PALM BEACH, FL
This is a beautifully detailed walnut specimen Louis XV bombe commode with three drawers exhibiting
Category

Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Specimen Drawers

Materials

Walnut

Pair of Italian Neoclassical Multi Specimen Wood Commodes
Located in Dallas, TX
Very fine pair of Italian commodes with beautiful inlaid pattern. Various kinds of wood used making for a nice contrast and intricate pattern. Absolutely gorgeous!
Category

19th Century Italian Neoclassical Antique Specimen Drawers

Materials

Wood

Early 19th Century English Regency Mahogany Six-Drawer Specimen Chest
Located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Early 19th century English Regency mahogany specimen chest of six drawers with lion head pulls
Category

Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Specimen Drawers

Materials

Brass

Early Antique Italian Specimen Marble, Kingwood & Satinwood Inlaid Commode 18thC
Located in Big Flats, NY
An early antique Italian commode offers specimen marble top over kingwood chest having two drawers
Category

18th Century Italian Antique Specimen Drawers

Materials

Kingwood, Satinwood

English Side Lock Semainier with Well Figured Specimen Walnut
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A traditional seven-drawer semainier with dove tailed joinery, magnificent swirled training, round knobs and fine condition. Rosewood cross banding with satin wood string inlay.
Category

Early 20th Century English Regency Antique Specimen Drawers

Materials

Rosewood, Walnut

Specimen Chest
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An ebonized specimen chest of drawers in leather and brass handles.
Category

19th Century English Victorian Antique Specimen Drawers

Materials

Leather, Wood

Specimen Chest
H 17.5 in W 14 in D 11.5 in
French 19th Century Walnut Empire Commode with Marble Top
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This excellent French Empire marble-top commode has four total drawers and fossilized specimens
Category

19th Century French Empire Antique Specimen Drawers

Materials

Marble, Brass

19th Century Scientific Pine Specimen Chest
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This unique specimen cabinet features eleven smaller drawers above three larger ones, all with
Category

19th Century Antique Specimen Drawers

Materials

Brass

Antique Specimen Chest, English, Oak, Collector's Cabinet, Edwardian, Circa 1910
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an appealing antique specimen chest, with 12 useful drawers for collectors of small items
Category

Early 20th Century British Antique Specimen Drawers

Materials

Oak

Small Antique Wellington Chest, Oak, Fruitwood, Campaign, Specimen, circa 1890
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a small, antique Wellington chest. An English, oak and fruitwood, Campaign specimen chest
Category

19th Century English Victorian Antique Specimen Drawers

Materials

Oak

19th Century Mahogany Chest of Drawers or Cabinet, Natural History Museum
Located in Hook, Hampshire
Victorian Natural History Museum specimen chest of drawers or cabinet. This ten drawer specimen
Category

1890s British Late Victorian Antique Specimen Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

Curious insect cabinet
Located in Houston, TX
Wonderful cabinet for insect specimens with 20 drawers. Each drawer has different bugs in it
Category

Early 20th Century Belgian Antique Specimen Drawers

Materials

Oak, Glass

Curious insect cabinet
Curious insect cabinet
H 63 in W 23 in D 13 in
Antique Glazed Specimen Cabinet, English, Tallboy, Chest of Drawers, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique glazed specimen cabinet. An English, mahogany tallboy chest of drawers, dating
Category

Late 19th Century British Antique Specimen Drawers

Materials

Wood

Antique English Oak Bank of Collector's Drawers Specimen Cabinet Curiosities
Located in Sherborne, Dorset
A wonderful bank of collector’s display drawers in solid oak, dating from the early 1900s, complete
Category

Early 20th Century British Late Victorian Antique Specimen Drawers

Materials

Oak

18th Century, English George II Collector's Specimen Chest with 22 Drawers
Located in Austin, TX
A beautiful English George II joined hardwood collector's specimen cabinet, fashioned as a
Category

Mid-18th Century English George II Antique Specimen Drawers

Materials

Hardwood, Mahogany

Specimen Drawer
Located in Culver City, CA
Quarter sawn oak with turned pulls.    
Category

19th Century English Antique Specimen Drawers

Materials

Oak

Specimen Drawer
Specimen Drawer
H 31.25 in W 21.75 in D 16.5 in
Victorian Natural History Museum Specimen Chest of Drawers/Cabinet
Located in Hook, Hampshire
Victorian Natural History Museum specimen chest of drawers/cabinet Victorian Natural History
Category

1890s British Antique Specimen Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

Chinese Calamanda Speciamine Wood Collectors Chest of Drawers Chest, circa 1880
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Calamander specimen wood collectors chest of drawers What a find! This piece is amazing. The frame is
Category

1880s Chinese Victorian Antique Specimen Drawers

Materials

Wood

English Pine Specimen Chest
Located in Pasadena, CA
This small scale pine Victorian chest was originally used to store specimen collections. The pine
Category

19th Century English Antique Specimen Drawers

Materials

Pine

English Pine Specimen Chest
English Pine Specimen Chest
H 29.5 in W 22.5 in D 17.5 in
Antique French 19th Century Twenty-Four Drawer Specimen Chest
Located in Hudson, NY
A very handsome antique French 19th Century twenty-four drawer specimen chest, with original solid
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Specimen Drawers

Materials

Hardwood

Japanned Collector's Cabinet with 17th Century Silvered Interior, Circa 1800
Located in London, GB
. The lower register comprising six specimen drawers, each divided into compartments of varying sizes
Category

19th Century Antique Specimen Drawers

A Japanned Collector’s Cabinet Incorporating A 17th Century Spanish Silvered Interior
Located in London, GB
church. The lower register comprising six specimen drawers, each divided into compartments of varying
Category

19th Century Antique Specimen Drawers

19th C Collector's Rock and Fossil Specimen Collection
Located in Essex, MA
A walnut four-drawer spool cabinet with a wide array of fossil and rock specimens, largely from
Category

19th Century English Antique Specimen Drawers

Miniature Walnut Wellington Chest/End Table, England, 19th Century
Located in New York, NY
Miniature Burl Walnut Wellington Chest/Specimen Cabinet with Six Drawers Fitted With Interior Glass
Category

19th Century English Antique Specimen Drawers

Materials

Burl, Walnut

Edwardian Six-Drawer Butterfly Cabinet
Located in Stamford, CT
drawers, circa 1890s. Some included specimens are rare. Please note of wear consistent with age including
Category

1890s American Antique Specimen Drawers

Materials

Glass, Mahogany

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"Pietra" Curved Armchair with Leather Arms Upholstered in Bouclé Fabric
By Studio Marta Manente
Located in Centro, RS
Pietra from Italian: Stone The designer Marta Manente is of Italian descent, her great-grandparents migrated from Italy over 100 years ago and lived in the region of Bento Gonçalves ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Antique Specimen Drawers

Materials

Bouclé

Bertu Counter Stools, White Oak Counter Stool, Chile Stool
By Bertu Furniture
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
Bertu Counter Stools, White Oak Counter Stool, Chile Stool This White Oak Chile Counter Stool is beautifully constructed from solid wood in Ohio, USA. The stool is chunky and modern...
Category

2010s American Modern Antique Specimen Drawers

Materials

Wood, Oak

Drop Chandelier Plated Metal by 101 Copenhagen
Located in Geneve, CH
Drop Chandelier in Plated Metal by 101 Copenhagen Designed by Kristian Sofus Hansen & Tommy Hyldahl. Colour / Material: Burned Black Lampshade & ceiling cup: 100% Iron, with plated ...
Category

2010s Danish Modern Antique Specimen Drawers

Materials

Aluminum, Iron

Drop Chandelier Plated Metal by 101 Copenhagen
Drop Chandelier Plated Metal by 101 Copenhagen
$2,243 / item
H 28.75 in W 47.64 in D 60.63 in
Italian Mid-Century Vanity Console by Cesare Lacca with Mirror in Burl Walnut
By Cesare Lacca
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Code: FH27 Majestic vanity dressing table console with mirror, 1950s by Cesare Lacca per La Permanente Mobili Cantù , in burl walnut folder. Large shaped mirror. Console with two si...
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Antique Specimen Drawers

Materials

Mirror, Walnut, Burl

Tiffany & Co 'The Paget' Yacht Timer / Stop Watch
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This yacht timer was recently serviced and runs beautifully.
Category

2010s American Antique Specimen Drawers

Materials

Sterling Silver

Fossilised Skull of Prehistoric Marine Reptile the Mosasaur, 70Million Years Ago
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Upper Cretaceous, about 70-65 million years ago (Maastrichtian) Morocco The skull is reconstructed in good proportions with fossil pieces found in a phosphate mine in Morocco. I att...
Category

15th Century and Earlier African Antique Specimen Drawers

Materials

Bone

Brass Scape Wall Light by Stem Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Brass Scape Wall Light by Stem Design Dimensions: D 9 x W 16 x H 12 cm. Materials: Cast brass. Finish: Tumbled and burnished. Weight: 3 kg. Finished and assembled by hand in India....
Category

2010s Indian Modern Antique Specimen Drawers

Materials

Brass

Brass Scape Wall Light by Stem Design
Brass Scape Wall Light by Stem Design
$923 / item
H 4.73 in W 6.3 in D 3.55 in
Early 20th Century Metamorphic Writing Desk by J.C Vickery of London
Located in Martlesham, GB
Early 20th century mahogany metamorphic writing table by J.C Vickery of Regent St, London, the moulded edge hinged top lifting up and folding over to reveal the rising writing desk t...
Category

1910s European Edwardian Antique Specimen Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

Antique French Ledet et fils Louis XV Ladies Sewing Work Table Dressing Vanity
Located in Forney, TX
Refined country French elegance and sophistication at its finest, this Provincial Louis XV style lady's sewing stand work table or coiffeuse by Ledet et fils exudes refined grace and...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Louis XV Antique Specimen Drawers

Materials

Wood, Mahogany

Vintage Bronze Bowl with Generous Rounded Silhouette and Verdigris Patina
Located in Yonkers, NY
This vintage bronze bowl captivates with its verdigris patina and elegantly generous lines. The bowl features a smaller circular mouth that gracefully contrasts with the fuller, roun...
Category

20th Century Antique Specimen Drawers

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Large Ginkgo Leave Brass Wall Lights, Organic Shape, Tommaso Barbi Style
By Tommaso Barbi
Located in Bochum, NRW
Amazing pair of wall lights made of two overlapping brass leaves of ginkgo. Organic shape, this wall light could make an eye catcher of your interior. Entirely hand made, this piece ...
Category

2010s European Mid-Century Modern Antique Specimen Drawers

Materials

Brass

Adrian Pearsall Platform Sofa in Walnut and Pastel Pink Upholstery
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Adrian Pearsall, 'Platform' sofa with two drawers, fabric, walnut, United States, 1960s Adrian Pearsall is known for his rather unique sofa designs. The present model is no exceptio...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Antique Specimen Drawers

Materials

Fabric, Walnut

Tube Glass Candle Holder
By Casarialto
Located in Milan, IT
Handcrafted in Venice, this candle holder is a signature product by Casarialto. Entirely made of transparent glass, this diaphanous candle holder shaped like a tube strikes for its l...
Category

2010s Italian Antique Specimen Drawers

Materials

Glass

Tube Glass Candle Holder
Tube Glass Candle Holder
$345 / item
H 9.85 in W 13.39 in D 1.97 in
Early 20th Century carved mahogany wine table
Located in Martlesham, GB
A lovely quality early 20th Century carved mahogany wine table, having a beautifully figured top with a pie crust edge, supported on a highly carved column and acanthus capped tripod...
Category

1910s British Edwardian Antique Specimen Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

Candelabra by Gunnar Ander for Ystad Metall, Sweden, 1960's
By Ystad-Metall, Gunnar Ander
Located in London, GB
Gunnar Ander born, in 1976 Sweden, designed the candelabra for Ystad Metall, Sweden 1960's made of black lacquered metal arms and have six brass cup shaped candle holders for regular...
Category

1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Antique Specimen Drawers

Materials

Brass, Metal

Rare Fine Antique Early Victorian Military Campaign Writing Slope Davenport Desk
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this early Victorian Military Campaign writing slope in the form of a Davenport desk circa 1840-1860 in solid mahogany I’ve only ever seen one o...
Category

1840s English Early Victorian Antique Specimen Drawers

Materials

Leather, Hardwood

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Antique Specimen Drawers For Sale on 1stDibs

Find a variety of antique specimen drawers available on 1stDibs. The range of distinct antique specimen drawers — often made from wood, mahogany and metal — can elevate any home. Antique specimen drawers have been produced for many years, with earlier versions available from the 18th Century and newer variations made as recently as the 20th Century. Antique specimen drawers are generally popular furniture pieces, but Victorian, Baroque and Georgian styles are often sought at 1stDibs. There have been many well-made antique specimen drawers over the years, but those made by Josiah Wedgwood, Louis Majorelle and Maple & Co. are often thought to be among the most beautiful.

How Much are Antique Specimen Drawers?

Prices for antique specimen drawers can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, antique specimen drawers begin at $395 and can go as high as $554,767, while the average can fetch as much as $5,000.

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.

Questions About Antique Specimen Drawers
  • 1stDibs ExpertNovember 4, 2024
    To identify an antique chest of drawers, look inside and beneath drawers and on the back and bottom for any type of maker's marking. Researching these marks using trusted online resources may allow you to determine who produced your chest and roughly date your piece. If your chest is at least 100 years old, it is an antique. Should you be unable to locate the maker's marks, look at the hardware. Rose head nails, one-piece cast brass pommels on the drawer handles and circular rather than hexagonal bolts may all indicate that a piece is an antique. Keep in mind that hardware may have been replaced at some point and that there are many reproductions of antique furnishings. As a result, you may wish to have a certified appraiser or experienced antique dealer complete the identification process if you're unable to identify your chest via the maker's markings. Find a range of antique chests of drawers on 1stDibs.

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