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Black Chinoiserie Bookcase

Chinoiserie Black Lacquer Bookcase Etagere Vitrine circa 1950s
Located in Atlanta, GA
Chinoiserie Black Lacquer Bookcase, probably Chinese, circa 1950s. Sculptural lattice shelves offer
Category

Vintage 1950s Chinese Chinoiserie Bookcases

Materials

Wood

Lacquered Breakfront Bookcase Chinoiserie
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Eye cathching lacquered breakfront bookcase Features a plethora of hand painted Chinoiserie on all
Category

Vintage 1980s Chinoiserie Bookcases

Materials

Glass

Lacquered Breakfront Bookcase Chinoiserie
Lacquered Breakfront Bookcase Chinoiserie
$8,010
H 84 in W 78 in D 15 in
Pair of Vintage English Chinoiserie Gold and Black Painted Small Bookcases
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of Vintage English Chinoiserie-style black bookcases with two shelves each over a solid
Category

20th Century British Chinoiserie Bookcases

Materials

Wood

19th Century English Black and Gold Chinoiserie Bookcase with Glass Doors
Located in Atlanta, GA
An English black and gold bookcase from the 19th century with Chinoiserie décor and glass doors
Category

Antique 19th Century English Chinoiserie Bookcases

Materials

Glass, Wood

English 1880s Black and Gold Breakfront Two Part Bookcase with Chinoiserie Décor
Located in Atlanta, GA
An English two part black and gold breakfront bookcase from the late 19th century with Chinoiserie
Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Chinoiserie Bookcases

Materials

Wire

Black Lacquer Bookcase Display Cabinet
Located in North York, ON
attention to detail. Drawing inspiration from iconic Chinoiserie style, this bookcase exudes elegance and
Category

2010s American Chinoiserie Bookcases

Materials

Metal

Black Lacquer Bookcase Display Cabinet
Black Lacquer Bookcase Display Cabinet
$7,600 Sale Price
20% Off
H 78 in W 37.5 in D 18 in
Georgian Chinoiserie Black Lacquered Hand-Painted Drop Front Secretary Desk
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Georgian Hollywood Regency Chinoiserie style bureau with drop front secretary desk
Category

Vintage 1980s American Chinoiserie Bookcases

Materials

Brass

19th Century English Black Lacquered Chiffonier with Chinoiserie Decoration
Located in Atlanta, GA
19th Century English Black Lacquered Chiffonier with Chinoiserie Decoration 40″ W X 16″ D X 64
Category

Antique 19th Century Bookcases

Materials

Wood

Pair Antique English Chinoiserie Black Lacquer Book-Cases with Desks, Circa 1890
Located in New Orleans, LA
Pair antique English "Chinoiserie" black lacquer book-cases with desks, circa 1890-1900.
Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Chinoiserie Bookcases

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Maison Jansen Style, Louis XVI, Chinoiserie, Mahogany, Black Lacquer, Parquetry
By Maison Jansen
Located in Manhasset, NY
Louis XVI Chinoiserie Dry Bar, Bookcase Cabinet in Fashion of Maison Jansen A large and impressive
Category

Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Bookcases

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Chinoiserie Lacquer Secretaire Bookcase
By Maitland Smith
Located in Bradenton, FL
This Chinoiserie secretary is an elegant and intricately designed piece of furniture that combines
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Secretaires

Materials

Lacquer

Chinoiserie Lacquer Secretaire Bookcase
Chinoiserie Lacquer Secretaire Bookcase
$3,900 Sale Price
25% Off
H 86 in W 39.25 in D 20.5 in
Queen Anne Style Burton-Ching Black Chinoiserie Secretary Desk Bookcase
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Queen Anne Style Burton-Ching Black Chinoiserie Secretary Desk Bookcase
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Chinoiserie Secretaires

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Queen Anne Style Burton-Ching Black Chinoiserie Secretary Desk Bookcase
Queen Anne Style Burton-Ching Black Chinoiserie Secretary Desk Bookcase
$11,960 Sale Price
20% Off
H 98.5 in W 36.5 in D 21.5 in
Chinoiserie Black Lacquered Drop Front Secretary Desk With Bookcase Hutch
By Jasper Furniture Company
Located in Elkhart, IN
A gorgeous Georgian Chinoiserie style bureau with drop front secretary desk and bookcase hutch top
Category

Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Secretaires

Materials

Brass

George II Style Black & Gold Lacquer Chinoiserie Secretary Desk Bookcase
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
George II Style Black & Gold Lacquer Chinoiserie Secretary Desk Bookcase.
Category

2010s American Chinoiserie Secretaires

Materials

Wood, Giltwood, Lacquer

George II Style Black & Gold Lacquer Chinoiserie Secretary Desk Bookcase
George II Style Black & Gold Lacquer Chinoiserie Secretary Desk Bookcase
$13,200 Sale Price
20% Off
H 102 in W 45 in D 23 in
English 19th Century Black and Gold Secretary Bookcase with Chinoiserie Décor
Located in Atlanta, GA
An English black lacquer secretary bookcase from the 19th century, with glass doors, drop-front
Category

Antique 19th Century English Chinoiserie Secretaires

Materials

Glass, Wood

Recent Sales

Rare 18th Century Northern Italian Lacquer Bureau Bookcase
Located in Sydney, NSW
Rare 18th century Northern Italian Lacquer Bureau Bookcase With Original Finish Decorated With
Category

Antique Mid-18th Century Italian Chinoiserie Secretaires

Materials

Lacquer

Midcentury Black and Gold with Hermès Orange Interior Chinoiserie Cabinet
Located in West Hartford, CT
Elegant black chinoiserie bookcase console with hand painted gold details. Interior is a bright
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Cabinets

Materials

Wood

Incredibly Dramatic Tall Stickley Black & Coral Chinoiserie Bookcase
By Stickley Brothers
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Very dramatic fabulous Stickley vintage chinoiserie bookcase or etagere painted in black and coral
Category

1990s North American Chinoiserie Bookcases

Materials

Wood

19th Century English Black Lacquered Bookcase with Raised Chinoiserie
Located in Dallas, TX
Beautiful decorative 19th century black lacquered bookcase with raised Chinoiserie design. Features
Category

Antique 19th Century English Chinoiserie Bookcases

Materials

Wood

English Regency Chinoiserie Black and Gilt Bookcase Cabinet
Located in San Francisco, CA
An elegantly proportioned English Regency period black and gold chinoiserie bookcase cabinet, the
Category

Antique 1830s English Regency Bookcases

Materials

Linen, Oak

Tall Black Chinoiserie Paint Decorated China Cabinet Bookcase, Circa 1950
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This cabinet measures 78 tall x 41 wide x 15 inches deep. These are hard to find with so much viewable glass display area. The cabinet is good condition and will show signs of age an...
Category

Vintage 1950s American Chinoiserie Bookcases

Materials

Walnut

Double Sided Regency Chinoiserie Bookcase
By Regency
Located in Greenwich, CT
Regency style chinoiserie decorated double sided waterfall bookcase with pierced brass gallery over
Category

Vintage 1950s Regency Bookcases

Materials

Lacquer

George III Style Chinoiserie Decorated Black Japanned Breakfront Bookcase
Located in Manhasset, NY
George III style chinoiserie decorated black japanned breakfront bookcase. This simply magnificent
Category

Antique 1860s American George III Bookcases

Regency Style Faux Bamboo Black Lacquer Chinoiserie Bookcase by Maitland Smith
By Maitland Smith
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a Regency style faux bamboo black lacquer and gilt chinoiserie bookcase by Maitland Smith
Category

Late 20th Century Philippine Regency Bookcases

Materials

Brass

Rose Tarlow Melrose House Black & Gold Chinoiserie Etagere
By Rose Tarlow
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Rose Tarlow Melrose House Black & Gold Chinoiserie Etagere
Category

1990s Chinoiserie Bookcases

Materials

Wood

1970s Chinoiserie Drexel Black and Brass Bookshelves – a Pair
By Drexel
Located in Farmington Hills, MI
We are very pleased to offer a set of Drexel bookcases from their ET-cetera collection, circa the
Category

Vintage 1970s American Chinoiserie Bookcases

Materials

Brass

Black Lacquer and Gold Leafed Chinoiserie Breakfront 1970s
Located in Dallas, TX
Monumental custom ordered in the 1970s for a prestigious Houston Estate. This massive breakfront is deeply carved in relief and hand-painted with a 24-karat gold leafed background. T...
Category

Vintage 1970s American Bookcases

Materials

Gold Leaf

Black Lacquer Chinoiserie Étagères with Hand Painted Gold and Floral Details
Located in Morristown, NJ
A pair of late 20th C. four-shelf black lacquered Chinoiserie étagères with hand painted gold with
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Bookcases

Materials

Brass

19th Century George 111 Period Chinoiserie Black Lacquered Viewing Cabinet
Located in Dallas, TX
Beautiful 19th century George 111 period black lacquered chinoiserie viewing cabinet. Beautiful
Category

Antique Early 19th Century English George III Bookcases

Materials

Paint

Mario Buatta Black Chinoiserie Waterfall Bookcase
By Mario Buatta
Located in New York, NY
Designed by Mario Buatta for Widdicomb after a Regency bookcase in his own collection; black with
Category

Late 20th Century American Regency Shelves

Materials

Wood

Chinoiserie Black Lacquered Drop Front Secretary Desk With Bookcase Hutch
By Jasper Furniture Company
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Georgian Chinoiserie style bureau with drop front secretary desk and lighted bookcase
Category

Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Desks

Materials

Brass

19th Century English Chinoiserie Style Bamboo Bookcase with Lacquered Decoration
Located in Marbella, ES
19th century English Chinoiserie style bamboo bookcase with Lacquered decoration.
Category

Antique 19th Century English Shelves

Materials

Bamboo

20th Century Chinoiserie Secretary Bookcase
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
For sale is a good quality chinoiserie 20th century Bureau bookcase in good condition with detailed
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Bookcases

1978 Ethan Allen Chinoiserie Black Lacquer Maple Library Bookcase 14-9026
Located in Dayton, OH
Collection. Made of black lacquer and solid maple featuring upper shelves with plate grooves and lower
Category

Vintage 1970s Chinoiserie Bookcases

Materials

Maple, Lacquer

19th Century Lacquered Chinoiserie Bookcase
Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont
Big wardrobe / bookcase lacquered and painted chinoiserie of the second half of the 19th century
Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Bookcases

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Lacquered Chinoiserie Bookcase
19th Century Lacquered Chinoiserie Bookcase
H 90.16 in W 72.45 in D 21.26 in
Chinoiserie Style Bookcase Display China Cabinet by Modern History
By Modern History
Located in Toledo, OH
A beautiful Chinoiserie style bookcase display cabinet by Modern History. This stunning two-piece
Category

20th Century American Chinoiserie Bookcases

Black Rod Iron Chinoiserie Étagère
Located in North York, ON
Transitional étagère constructed from black rod iron with a faux bamboo design. Four corner
Category

Late 20th Century Bookcases

Materials

Iron

Black Lacquer Chinoiserie Secretary Bookcase
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Distinctive secretary bookcase made in the Chinese taste featuring a decorative gilt faux bamboo
Category

20th Century American Chinoiserie Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Chinoiserie Lacquer Secretaire Bookcase
By Maitland Smith
Located in Bradenton, FL
This chinoiserie faux coromandel secretary with it’s intricate japanning. The upper portion is full
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Secretaires

Materials

Lacquer

Chinoiserie Lacquer Secretaire Bookcase
Chinoiserie Lacquer Secretaire Bookcase
H 92 in W 39.5 in D 18.75 in
Chinoiserie Style Carved Black Lacquer Secretary Desk, Bookcase, Cabinet
Located in Plainview, NY
A beautiful Chinoiserie style carved black lacquer secretary desk having a black lacquer and gilt
Category

20th Century Chinoiserie Cabinets

Materials

Metal

Wonderful Chinoiserie Queen Anne Black Lacquered Bureau Desk Painted Bookcase
Located in Roslyn, NY
Wonderful chinoiserie Queen Anne style black lacquered bureau desk painted bookcase. Measures
Category

Vintage 1960s Secretaires

Bookcase/Etagere, by Rose Tarlow, chinoiserie decor.
By Rose Tarlow
Located in San Francisco, CA
Rose Tarlow étagère in tete de negre crackled lacquer with chinoiserie. 3 shelves and 2 drawers
Category

1990s American British Colonial Shelves

Materials

Lacquer

Pair of Black Chinoiserie Bookcases
Located in Chamblee, GA
Pair of English Chinoiserie Bookcases with red painted interior and wooden beveled adjustable
Category

20th Century English Bookcases

Pair of Black Chinoiserie Bookcases
Pair of Black Chinoiserie Bookcases
H 81.5 in W 35 in D 13.5 in
Handpainted Black Chinoiserie Bureau Bookcase
Located in Southampton, NY
A very elegant piece in two parts, glazed glass top.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary English Bookcases

Pair of Chinoiserie Bookcases
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Black and Gold Chinoiserie Bookcases. Six Separate pieces.
Category

Vintage 1970s Chinese Bookcases

Pair of Chinoiserie Bookcases
Pair of Chinoiserie Bookcases
H 93 in W 44 in D 15 in
George III Style Chinoiserie Decorated Black Japanned Breakfront/Bookcase
Located in Westport, CT
George III style Chinoiserie decorated black Japanned breakfront/bookcase. Beautiful Chinese
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century American George III Bookcases

Genuine Early 18th Century Chinoiserie Japanned Bureau Bookcase
Located in Detling, GB
English, circa 1710. This early bureau bookcase is in great original condition and very rare
Category

Antique 1710s Great Britain (UK) Bookcases

Ebonized Chinoiserie Étagère
Located in Kilmarnock, VA
A charming chinoiserie inspired three shelf étagère in black and gold carved wood.
Category

Vintage 1980s American Regency Bookcases

Ebonized Chinoiserie Étagère
Ebonized Chinoiserie Étagère
H 76 in W 28 in D 12.5 in
Vintage Black Lacquer Pagoda Bookcase, England, c. 1925
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Narrow Black Lacquer Chinoiserie Pagoda-Shaped Bookcase, Decorated in Foliate Design with
Category

Early 20th Century English Bookcases

Chinoiserie Pagoda Tiered Bookcase Etagere Black Laquer
Located in Stamford, CT
Offered here is quite a special tiered pagoda shelf or bookcase with a trefoil motif. Perfect for
Category

Vintage 1970s Asian Shelves

Materials

Wood

Jansen Bookcase Secretaire
Located in Madrid, ES
A black lacquered and gilt chinoiserie decoration bookcase secretaireby Jansen, from the collection
Category

Vintage 1940s French George II Secretaires

Jansen Bookcase Secretaire
Jansen Bookcase Secretaire
H 83.47 in W 33.47 in D 21.66 in
George III Style Chinoiserie Decorated Black Japanned Breakfront Bookcase
Located in Westport, CT
George III style chinoiserie decorated black Japanned breakfront bookcase. Beautiful Chinese
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century American George III Furniture

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19th Century Chinese Pagoda Cabinet
Located in Houston, TX
A stunning and rare 19th Century English Chinese pagoda cabinets. This highly stylized hand carved mahogany cabinets features, glass shelving, pagoda gabled roofs, classic Chippendal...
Category

Antique 19th Century English Chinese Chippendale Vitrines

Materials

Glass, Mahogany

19th Century Chinese Pagoda Cabinet
19th Century Chinese Pagoda Cabinet
$187,500
H 102 in W 84.5 in D 22.5 in
Pair of Four-Panel Reversible French Chinoiserie Coromandel Screens Paris, 1920s
Located in Miami, FL
Eight-Panel Reversible Chinese Coromandel Screen Pair of French chinoiserie screens, Paris, 1920s This French chinoiserie screens from the 1920s are composed of four panels richly ...
Category

Early 20th Century French Chinoiserie Screens and Room Dividers

Materials

Wood, Mother-of-Pearl

Rosso Wall Mirror
By Specchi Veneziani
Located in Milan, IT
Venetian mirror made in the strictest Murano tradition. Assembled with crystal/gold and red elements handmade in the Murano furnaces. Wooden frame with a natural finish.
Category

2010s Italian Renaissance Wall Mirrors

Materials

Glass

Rosso Wall Mirror
$966 / item
H 31.5 in W 23.63 in D 1.97 in
White Wash Brutalist Sculptural Collage Artwork, Mural from Upcycled Wood
By Peter Glassford
Located in San Antonio, TX
These WHITE WASH collage tiles are composed randomly from recycled wood remnants and when installed bathe any space with a warm feeling and texture which is meditative, sanded to a s...
Category

2010s Mexican Brutalist Contemporary Art

Materials

Wood

Antique Chinoiserie Jacobean Hand Painted Bookcase or Bar Cabinet, Circa 1900
By Berkey & Gay Furniture
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique Chinoiserie Jacobean style bookcase, dining cabinet, or bar cabinet In the manner of Berkey & Gay USA, Circa 1900 Carved ebonized walnut, with orange lacquered ...
Category

Early 20th Century American Chinoiserie Cabinets

Materials

Brass

Pair Sheraton Bookcases - Walnut Low Open Front Bookcase
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Viewings possible in our Hertfordshire warehouse - please contact for an appointment Gorgeous pair of English Sheraton style low openfront bookcases hand crafted from walnut Hand cra...
Category

Vintage 1980s Sheraton Bookcases

Materials

Walnut

Antique Chinese Export Porcelain Blue White Chien Lung Soup Tureen Centerpiece
Located in Dublin, Ireland
A Very Fine & Rare Example of an Eighteenth-Century Chinese Porcelain Export Circular Lidded twin handle blue and white Deep Dish Tureen or Centerpiece Bowl of generous proportions a...
Category

Antique Late 18th Century Chinese Qing Vases

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain

Pair Vintage Regency Style Black & Gold Side Chairs
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of 1960s Regency style chairs with painted black gold wood frame, cane seat, and newly upholstered white seat cushion.
Category

Mid-20th Century Regency Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Cane, Wood, Giltwood

Pair Vintage Regency Style Black & Gold Side Chairs
Pair Vintage Regency Style Black & Gold Side Chairs
On Hold
$2,800 / set
H 35.75 in W 22.5 in D 22.5 in
19th Century Lacquer Cabinet, Circa 1850
Located in Richmond, London
A striking black lacquer table or jewellery cabinet, exquisitely decorated with Oriental figures and pagodas throughout. Mid-19th century. A highly desirable and sought after model. ...
Category

Antique 19th Century Asian Chinoiserie Lacquer

Materials

Lacquer

19th Century Lacquer Cabinet, Circa 1850
19th Century Lacquer Cabinet, Circa 1850
$2,995
H 14.77 in W 11.82 in D 6.7 in
Pair Signed Maison Jansen White Painted Louis XVI Bergère Lounge Chairs C1940
By Maison Jansen
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a signed pair of Maison Jansen bergère chairs with some subtle yellow highlights and in good condition. The chairs each measure 35 tall x 27 wide x 27 deep and the seat heigh...
Category

Vintage 1940s French Louis XVI Club Chairs

Materials

Beech

Pair Signed Maison Jansen White Painted Louis XVI Bergère Lounge Chairs C1940
Pair Signed Maison Jansen White Painted Louis XVI Bergère Lounge Chairs C1940
$2,600 Sale Price / set
20% Off
H 35 in W 27 in D 27 in
Chinoiserie Painted Cabinet Circa. 1930's
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in Fulton, CA
Hand painted Chinoiserie 2 door cabinet. America, circa. 1930's. In the manner of Baker Furniture.
Category

Early 20th Century American Chinoiserie Cabinets

Materials

Walnut, Fir

Chinoiserie Painted Cabinet Circa. 1930's
Chinoiserie Painted Cabinet Circa. 1930's
$1,650
H 57.13 in W 33.75 in D 15.5 in
English 1820s Georgian Period Black and Gold Chinoiserie Chest with Stone Top
Located in Atlanta, GA
An English Georgian ebonized chinoiserie chest-of-drawers from the early 19th century with gilt and black lacquered accents and later added stone top. Created in England during the f...
Category

Antique Early 19th Century English Chinoiserie Commodes and Chests of Dr...

Materials

Wood

Chinoiserie Jacobean Hand Painted Bookcase or Bar Cabinet, Circa 1920s
By Berkey & Gay Furniture
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Chinoiserie Jacobean style bookcase, dining cabinet, or bar cabinet In the manner of Berkey & Gay USA, Circa 1920s Carved walnut, green lacquered case with hand painted...
Category

Vintage 1920s American Chinoiserie Cabinets

Materials

Brass

Selection of Chinoiserie Mirrors
Located in Atlanta, GA
Selection of Chinoiserie Mirrors, American, circa 1960s. They are priced at $1800 each. From left to right, as seen in the first photo, they are: 1) Black lacquer Chinoiserie mirror ...
Category

Vintage 1960s American Chinoiserie Wall Mirrors

Materials

Mirror, Wood

Selection of Chinoiserie Mirrors
Selection of Chinoiserie Mirrors
$1,800
H 43.5 in W 18 in D 1.25 in
Pair of Fine Antique Regency Hardwood Brass Gallery & Marble Dwarf Bookcases
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this exquisite pair of original Regency circa 1810-1820 mahogany open library bookcases with Italian marble tops surmounted with brass gallery rail...
Category

Antique 1810s English Regency Bookcases

Materials

Marble, Brass

Pair of Fine Antique Regency Hardwood Brass Gallery & Marble Dwarf Bookcases
Pair of Fine Antique Regency Hardwood Brass Gallery & Marble Dwarf Bookcases
$4,959 Sale Price / set
20% Off
H 47.25 in W 24.02 in D 7.88 in
Pair of French Louis XVI Style Carved-Wood Cream-Lacquered Settees, Jansen Attr.
By Maison Jansen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Fine Pair of French Louis XVI Style Carved-wood Cream-Lacquered Settees, probably by Maison Jansen. The rectangular shaped Love Seats, each with scrolled carved armrests ending wit...
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20th Century French Louis XVI Settees

Materials

Fabric, Satin, Silk, Wood

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Black Chinoiserie Bookcase For Sale on 1stDibs

Choose from an assortment of styles, material and more with respect to the black chinoiserie bookcase you’re looking for at 1stDibs. Each black chinoiserie bookcase for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using wood, metal and burl. Find 9 options for an antique or vintage black chinoiserie bookcase now, or shop our selection of 1 modern versions for a more contemporary example of this long-cherished piece. Your living room may not be complete without a black chinoiserie bookcase — find older editions for sale from the 19th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 21st Century. When you’re browsing for the right black chinoiserie bookcase, those designed in Georgian styles are of considerable interest. Many designers have produced at least one well-made black chinoiserie bookcase over the years, but those crafted by Century Furniture, Raymond K. Sobota and Antonio's are often thought to be among the most beautiful.

How Much is a Black Chinoiserie Bookcase?

Prices for a black chinoiserie bookcase can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, they begin at $2,390 and can go as high as $44,845, while the average can fetch as much as $8,148.

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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