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Brass Book Shelves

Billy Baldwin Style Metal & Brass Etagere Book Shelves, 20th Century
Billy Baldwin Style Metal & Brass Etagere Book Shelves, 20th Century

Billy Baldwin Style Metal & Brass Etagere Book Shelves, 20th Century

$3,200Sale Price|66% Off

H 89.5 in W 48 in D 13 in

Billy Baldwin Style Metal & Brass Etagere Book Shelves, 20th Century

Located in Southampton, NY

Billy Baldwin Style Metal & Brass Etagere Book Shelves, 20th Century This etagere, crafted from

Category

20th Century American Shelves

Materials

Metal, Brass

Antique French Rosewood & Marble Brass Ormolu Side Cabinet with Book Shelves
Antique French Rosewood & Marble Brass Ormolu Side Cabinet with Book Shelves

Antique French Rosewood & Marble Brass Ormolu Side Cabinet with Book Shelves

Located in King's Lynn, GB

with 3 Shelves for books and other items & Brass Ormolu Mount Decorations. The marble is lovely purple

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Late Victorian Shelves

Materials

Marble, Brass, Ormolu

Early 20th Century Book Rack - English - Solid Brass - Geometric Design
Early 20th Century Book Rack - English - Solid Brass - Geometric Design

Early 20th Century Book Rack - English - Solid Brass - Geometric Design

Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant

Elegant English brass book rack from the early 20th century. This solid and stable piece features a

Category

Vintage 1910s English Shelves

Materials

Brass

1950's stitched leather book case or shelve by Jacques Adnet
1950's stitched leather book case or shelve by Jacques Adnet

1950's stitched leather book case or shelve by Jacques Adnet

By Jacques Adnet

Located in Bois-Colombes, FR

Very nice Stitched leather book shelves by Jacques Adnet Great condition France

Category

Vintage 1950s European Shelves

Materials

Brass

19th Century French Walnut Library Ladder - Antique Book Shelf, Rack
19th Century French Walnut Library Ladder - Antique Book Shelf, Rack

19th Century French Walnut Library Ladder - Antique Book Shelf, Rack

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

Walnut wood and easy to fold and fix, particularized by a brass chain. Very stable, sturdy and nicely

Category

Antique 19th Century Italian Shelves

Materials

Metal, Brass

Antique Teak and Brass Campaign Bookshelves, Army & Navy Store
Antique Teak and Brass Campaign Bookshelves, Army & Navy Store

Antique Teak and Brass Campaign Bookshelves, Army & Navy Store

Located in Downingtown, PA

brass campaign free-standing three-shelf book shelves on brass feet which can be dismantled for travel

Category

Antique 1880s English Victorian Shelves

Materials

Brass

Recent Sales

Betjemann's Patent Self-Closing Book Slide

Betjemann's Patent Self-Closing Book Slide

Unavailable

H 8 in W 16 in D 7 in

Betjemann's Patent Self-Closing Book Slide

Located in New York, NY

Betjemann's Patent self-closing birdseye maple book slide with pierced and engraved gothic motif

Category

Antique 19th Century English Gothic Shelves

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck Inspired Floating Book Shelf, Austria 1950s
Carl Auböck Inspired Floating Book Shelf, Austria 1950s

Carl Auböck Inspired Floating Book Shelf, Austria 1950s

Located in Vienna, AT

Carl Auböck Inspired Floating Book Shelf, Austria 1950s.

Category

Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck Mid-Century Book Shelf Signed, Austria, 1950s
Carl Auböck Mid-Century Book Shelf Signed, Austria, 1950s

Carl Auböck Mid-Century Book Shelf Signed, Austria, 1950s

By Werkstätte Carl Auböck

Located in Vienna, AT

Carl Auböck Mid-Century Book Shelf Signed, Austria, 1950s.

Category

Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Brass

Pair of Rare Carl Aubock Book Shelves
Pair of Rare Carl Aubock Book Shelves

Pair of Rare Carl Aubock Book Shelves

Sold

H 7.09 in W 17.72 in D 7.09 in

Pair of Rare Carl Aubock Book Shelves

Located in London, GB

Model no 3673 in Walnut and brass. Made by the Vienna workshop c. 1945 these are sculptural Aubock

Category

20th Century Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck Walnut and Brass Book Shelf
Carl Auböck Walnut and Brass Book Shelf

Carl Auböck Walnut and Brass Book Shelf

Sold

H 10.24 in W 17.72 in D 8.27 in

Carl Auböck Walnut and Brass Book Shelf

By Werkstätte Carl Auböck

Located in London, GB

Vintage shelf designed and made by Carl Auböck II, Vienna, circa 1950. Six horizontal brass bars

Category

Vintage 1950s Austrian Modern Shelves

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck II Modernist Geometric 1950s Carved Walnut and Cast Brass Book Shelf
Carl Auböck II Modernist Geometric 1950s Carved Walnut and Cast Brass Book Shelf

Carl Auböck II Modernist Geometric 1950s Carved Walnut and Cast Brass Book Shelf

By Werkstätte Carl Auböck

Located in London, GB

six horizontal brass bars which connect two walnut triangles whose vertices hang on the wall via two

Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Materials

Brass

Carl Aubock Beautiful Book Shelf
Carl Aubock Beautiful Book Shelf

Carl Aubock Beautiful Book Shelf

Sold

H 11.42 in W 17.92 in D 8.27 in

Carl Aubock Beautiful Book Shelf

By Werkstätte Carl Auböck

Located in London, GB

Incredible elegantly simple book shelf by the brass master and designer Carl Aubock. All the brass

Category

Vintage 1950s Austrian Modern Shelves

Materials

Brass

Versatile Antique Mahogany Book Shelf with Lyre Motif
Versatile Antique Mahogany Book Shelf with Lyre Motif

Versatile Antique Mahogany Book Shelf with Lyre Motif

Located in Hopewell, NJ

design with brass accents. 26.5 h to top shelf bottom shelf 5.5 h 2nd shelf 18 h 3rd shelf 20 h

Category

Vintage 1910s American Shelves

Materials

Brass

Regency Style Brass and Wooden Stands, Étagères or Book Shelves
Regency Style Brass and Wooden Stands, Étagères or Book Shelves

Regency Style Brass and Wooden Stands, Étagères or Book Shelves

Located in Manhasset, NY

Regency style brass and wooden stand or étagère. This stand can be used in many areas of the home

Category

Late 20th Century Regency Shelves

Poul Cadovius Wall Unit or Book Shelves for Royal System, Rosewood, Denmark
Poul Cadovius Wall Unit or Book Shelves for Royal System, Rosewood, Denmark

Poul Cadovius Wall Unit or Book Shelves for Royal System, Rosewood, Denmark

By Royal System, Poul Cadovius

Located in Philadelphia, PA

particular unit is made of the desirable rosewood, and features the brass rods to fasten them to the uprights

Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Brass

Organic Carl Auböck Authentic Vintage Brass Walnut Wall Shelf Book Shelf, 1950s
Organic Carl Auböck Authentic Vintage Brass Walnut Wall Shelf Book Shelf, 1950s

Organic Carl Auböck Authentic Vintage Brass Walnut Wall Shelf Book Shelf, 1950s

By Werkstätte Carl Auböck

Located in Vienna, AT

Organic Modern authentic vintage wall shelf by Carl Auböck Mod. 124 from brass and walnut 1950s

Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Organic Modern Shelves

Materials

Brass

Paul Evans Wall-Mount Book Shelf
Paul Evans Wall-Mount Book Shelf

Paul Evans Wall-Mount Book Shelf

Sold

H 80 in W 109 in D 10 in

Paul Evans Wall-Mount Book Shelf

By Paul Evans

Located in Chicago, IL

Cityscape by Paul Evans Studio for Directional. 31 inches between burl wood supports.

Category

Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Brass

Adjustable Mahogany Book Shelves, Italy, circa 1957
Adjustable Mahogany Book Shelves, Italy, circa 1957

Adjustable Mahogany Book Shelves, Italy, circa 1957

Sold

H 78.75 in W 32.68 in D 11.42 in

Adjustable Mahogany Book Shelves, Italy, circa 1957

By Feal

Located in London, GB

, with brass details.

Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Aluminum, Brass, Iron

Mid-Century Cadovious Style Danish Wall Unit or Book Shelves 10-Piece Walnut
Mid-Century Cadovious Style Danish Wall Unit or Book Shelves 10-Piece Walnut

Mid-Century Cadovious Style Danish Wall Unit or Book Shelves 10-Piece Walnut

By Poul Cadovius

Located in Philadelphia, PA

shelves and two cabinets, one of which features a light inside. The quality is great, rivaling even the

Category

Vintage 1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Cabinets

Materials

Brass

Large Library Bookcase or Black Lacquer Three Shelves Display, France 1950
Large Library Bookcase or Black Lacquer Three Shelves Display, France 1950

Large Library Bookcase or Black Lacquer Three Shelves Display, France 1950

Located in Brussels, BE

Elegant oversized black lacquer and brass baluster book shelves or windows display. Three shelves

Category

Vintage 1940s French Neoclassical Bookcases

Materials

Brass

1950s, Teak and Brass Bookshelves or Secretaire, Sweden
1950s, Teak and Brass Bookshelves or Secretaire, Sweden

1950s, Teak and Brass Bookshelves or Secretaire, Sweden

Located in Silvolde, Gelderland

got five drawers with brass details, two doors, three book shelves and a slidable writing space. It

Category

Vintage 1950s Swedish Bookcases

Materials

Teak

RARE Carl Aubock Hanging Book Case/Shelf
RARE Carl Aubock Hanging Book Case/Shelf

RARE Carl Aubock Hanging Book Case/Shelf

Sold

H 7 in W 16.5 in D 7 in

RARE Carl Aubock Hanging Book Case/Shelf

By Werkstätte Carl Auböck

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Very rare hanging book case/shelf with brass rods, cast brass hangers, and solid walnut sides

Category

Vintage 1940s Austrian Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Materials

Brass

Book Shelf Teak
Book Shelf Teak

Book Shelf Teak

Sold

H 110 in W 92 in D 30 in

Book Shelf Teak

Located in Odense, Denmark

Teak shelf with 3 nice drawers and brass grip. Round tapered legs and brass shoes. Appears

Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Brass

Pair of Stacking Mahogany Book Shelves
Pair of Stacking Mahogany Book Shelves

Pair of Stacking Mahogany Book Shelves

Sold

H 69 in W 40 in D 15 in

Pair of Stacking Mahogany Book Shelves

Located in New York, NY

Pair of stacking dark mahogany book shelves with cabinets doors. Priced individually, two available.

Category

Vintage 1950s Bookcases

Materials

Brass

1940s Modern Walnut Desk with Book Shelves
1940s Modern Walnut Desk with Book Shelves

1940s Modern Walnut Desk with Book Shelves

Sold

H 29.75 in W 57 in D 27 in

1940s Modern Walnut Desk with Book Shelves

Located in TUJUNGA, CA

Streamline modern- finished walnut desk featuring book shelves and drawers that slide out sideways

Category

Vintage 1940s American Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Rosewood desk
Rosewood desk

Rosewood desk

Sold

H 29.5 in W 63 in D 31.5 in

Rosewood desk

Located in Hudson, NY

Great rosewood desk with brass handles and built in book shelves.

Category

Vintage 1950s American Desks

Materials

Brass

petite oak writing desk
petite oak writing desk

petite oak writing desk

Sold

H 30 in W 42 in D 25.5 in

petite oak writing desk

Located in Los Angeles, CA

vintage oak mission style writing desk with brass handles and book shelves on each side. finished

Category

Early 20th Century American Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Regency Antique Painted Pine Bookcase
Regency Antique Painted Pine Bookcase

Regency Antique Painted Pine Bookcase

Sold

H 39.37 in W 35.83 in D 12.01 in

Regency Antique Painted Pine Bookcase

Located in Lancashire, GB

with the brass gallery. The two pine book shelves are fully adjustable. A fabulous, Regency country

Category

Antique 19th Century English Regency Bookcases

Materials

Marble

Book Shelf by Carl Auböck
Book Shelf by Carl Auböck

Book Shelf by Carl Auböck

Sold

H 13.19 in W 16.54 in D 6.89 in

Book Shelf by Carl Auböck

By Werkstätte Carl Auböck

Located in Vienna, AT

Book Shelf by Carl Auböck in very nice vintage condition Signed: Auböck Logo, Made in Austria

Category

Vintage 1950s Austrian Shelves

Materials

Brass

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Bertu Counter Stools, White Oak Counter Stool, Chile Stool
Bertu Counter Stools, White Oak Counter Stool, Chile Stool

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 Stools

Materials

Wood, Oak

Oval Brass and Parchment Chandelier by Diego Mardegan for Glustin Luminaires
Oval Brass and Parchment Chandelier by Diego Mardegan for Glustin Luminaires

Oval Brass and Parchment Chandelier by Diego Mardegan for Glustin Luminaires

By Diego Mardegan

Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF

Beautiful chandelier by Diego Mardegan for Glustin Luminaires, this other version of the spider chandelier has longer arms on the sides giving the oval shape. The metal arms paint...

Category

2010s Italian Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Metal, Brass

Chic Large 'Diagramme' Limestone Coffee Table by Design Frères
Chic Large 'Diagramme' Limestone Coffee Table by Design Frères

Chic Large 'Diagramme' Limestone Coffee Table by Design Frères

By Design Frères

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Chic large 'Diagramme' limestone coffee table by Design Frères. Gorgeous honed cream limestone top fitted into a slender but sturdy iron frame. Inspired by the timeless aesthetic of...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Limestone, Steel

Custom Made Modern English Arm Sofa in Performance Linen Velvet - 86"
Custom Made Modern English Arm Sofa in Performance Linen Velvet - 86"

Custom Made Modern English Arm Sofa in Performance Linen Velvet - 86"

By Bloom Home Inc

Located in Old Town Orange, CA

This beautiful english arm sofa has a modern twist, with its single bench cushion, and beautiful curved apron sides. It’s upholstered in a Linen Velvet Performance fabric. Shown in...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Sofas

Materials

Linen, Velvet

Classic Empire Center Table, Oatmeal
Classic Empire Center Table, Oatmeal

Classic Empire Center Table, Oatmeal

$2,820 / item

H 30 in W 42 in D 42 in

Classic Empire Center Table, Oatmeal

Located in Westwood, NJ

A Classic Empire style grey cerused oak oatmeal stained center table with a carved ogee edge, raised on an octagonal pedestal base. Dimensions: 42" W x 42" D x 30" H.

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Empire Center Tables

Materials

Wood

French Art Deco Hall Tree Coat Rack with Glass Light Sconce
French Art Deco Hall Tree Coat Rack with Glass Light Sconce

French Art Deco Hall Tree Coat Rack with Glass Light Sconce

Located in North Bergen, NJ

French Art Deco hall tree with glass sconce. Having four coat hangers with umbrella stands, center oval mirror and hat rack. Above the center mirror there is a frosted glass light. B...

Category

Early 20th Century Art Deco Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Glass

Custom Made Oak and Velvet Bench by Kai Kristiansen
Custom Made Oak and Velvet Bench by Kai Kristiansen

Custom Made Oak and Velvet Bench by Kai Kristiansen

$3,174 / item

H 14.97 in W 46.46 in D 14.97 in

Custom Made Oak and Velvet Bench by Kai Kristiansen

Located in London, England

Bench designed by Danish master Kai Kristiansen in the 1950s and now produced under license by Dagmar. Hand-made to order, this upholstered bench has a fumed and oiled oak frame. Th...

Category

2010s British Scandinavian Modern Tables

Materials

Mohair, Oak

VOLARE Large Pendant Light in Dark Bronze & Blown Glass by Blueprint Lighting
VOLARE Large Pendant Light in Dark Bronze & Blown Glass by Blueprint Lighting

VOLARE Large Pendant Light in Dark Bronze & Blown Glass by Blueprint Lighting

By Blueprint Lighting, Josef Hoffmann

Located in New York, NY

Volare draws inspiration from a collection of ornate pendants discovered by founders Kelly and Josh during a family trip to Washington, D.C. Featuring a substantial 20" pressed-glass...

Category

2010s American Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Brass, Bronze, Enamel, Nickel

French Pair of Nightstands Side Cabinets Bedside Tables Brutalist Style, 2022
French Pair of Nightstands Side Cabinets Bedside Tables Brutalist Style, 2022

French Pair of Nightstands Side Cabinets Bedside Tables Brutalist Style, 2022

Located in Labrit, Landes

Pair of oak nightstands "Pyrénées" signed by Sébastien Lamarre. This french side cabinets were made by Sébastien Lamarre for Maison Marie Anne. The creator chose for the Pyrénées mo...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Brutalist Night Stands

Materials

Oak

Neoclassical Wrought Iron & Bronze Bench, France 1950's
Neoclassical Wrought Iron & Bronze Bench, France 1950's

Neoclassical Wrought Iron & Bronze Bench, France 1950's

By Alberto Giacometti

Located in New York, NY

Elegant bench in patinated wrought iron and bronze. The sabots are reminiscent of Giacometti's work for Jean-Michel Frank. 3 benches are available; the price is for one.

Category

Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Benches

Materials

Bronze, Wrought Iron

Jacques Adnet Leather and Oak Desk, 1950s France
Jacques Adnet Leather and Oak Desk, 1950s France

Jacques Adnet Leather and Oak Desk, 1950s France

$95,000

H 29 in W 59.63 in D 36 in

Jacques Adnet Leather and Oak Desk, 1950s France

By Jacques Adnet

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Monumental Art Deco era desk by French Art Deco Modernist designer Jacques Adnet. Iron frame with 4 posts, inverted u-shaped bases and brass support bar/foot rest connecting the two....

Category

Vintage 1950s French Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass, Iron

Ebonized Leather top Bureau Plat
Ebonized Leather top Bureau Plat

Ebonized Leather top Bureau Plat

$4,600

H 28.25 in W 64.5 in D 28.75 in

Ebonized Leather top Bureau Plat

Located in Huntington, NY

Ebonized Leather top Bureau Plat/Desk, Louis XV period 3 working drawers on one side. Back side has 3 false drawers Circa, 1760 with one Key It's Old leather top in Useable but h...

Category

Antique Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ormolu

Jean Michel Frank Designed Credenza with Adze Scraped Silver Leaf Doors
Jean Michel Frank Designed Credenza with Adze Scraped Silver Leaf Doors

Jean Michel Frank Designed Credenza with Adze Scraped Silver Leaf Doors

By (after) Jean Michel Frank

Located in Atlanta, GA

Clean Lined Credenza with Textural Adze Scraped Silver Leaf Doors, originally designed by Jean Michel Frank in 1932, this example was custom made in NYC in the 1990s. It is a versati...

Category

1990s American Art Deco Credenzas

Materials

Wood

"Voltaire" Figured Oak Sideboard by Christiane Lemieux
"Voltaire" Figured Oak Sideboard by Christiane Lemieux

"Voltaire" Figured Oak Sideboard by Christiane Lemieux

$5,345 / item

H 29 in W 21.4 in D 75.7 in

"Voltaire" Figured Oak Sideboard by Christiane Lemieux

Located in New York, NY

Step into the allure of 1930s French sophistication with our exquisitely hand-crafted Voltaire sideboard, a homage to the Post-Deco era. Meticulously designed, this sideboard capture...

Category

2010s Vietnamese Art Deco Sideboards

Materials

Oak

Pair of Fine French Art Deco X-Form Stools
Pair of Fine French Art Deco X-Form Stools

Pair of Fine French Art Deco X-Form Stools

$7,500 / set

H 15.75 in W 19.69 in D 14.18 in

Pair of Fine French Art Deco X-Form Stools

Located in Long Island City, NY

A pair of fine French 1940s X-form stool in cherry wood.

Category

Vintage 1940s French Art Deco Stools

Materials

Wood

Maurice Dufrêne for La Maitrise art deco tapestry 1922
Maurice Dufrêne for La Maitrise art deco tapestry 1922

Maurice Dufrêne for La Maitrise art deco tapestry 1922

$41,702

H 60.24 in W 90.95 in D 0.4 in

Maurice Dufrêne for La Maitrise art deco tapestry 1922

By Maurice Dufrêne, La Maitrise

Located in Paris, IDF

Maurice Dufrene designed this tapestry for the studio La Maitrise, Les Galeries Lafayette, in Paris in 1922, just as he became the director of the studio. Crafted from handspun wool,...

Category

Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Tapestries

Materials

Wool

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Brass Book Shelves For Sale on 1stDibs

At 1stDibs, there are several options of brass book shelves available for sale. Each of these unique brass book shelves was constructed with extraordinary care, often using brass, metal and wood. Brass book shelves have long been popular, with older editions for sale from the 19th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 20th Century. Mid-Century Modern, Modern and Regency brass book shelves are consistently popular styles. Carl Auböck, Werkstätte Carl Auböck and Dunbar each produced beautiful brass book shelves that are worth considering.

How Much are Brass Book Shelves?

The average selling price for at 1stDibs is $3,834, while they’re typically $1,100 on the low end and $14,000 highest priced.

Materials: Brass Furniture

Whether burnished or lacquered, antique, new and vintage brass furniture can elevate a room.

From traditional spaces that use brass as an accent — by way of brass dining chairs or brass pendant lights — to contemporary rooms that embrace bold brass decor, there are many ways to incorporate the golden-hued metal.

“I find mixed metals to be a very updated approach, as opposed to the old days, when it was all shiny brass of dulled-out silver tones,” says interior designer Drew McGukin. “I especially love working with brass and blackened steel for added warmth and tonality. To me, aged brass is complementary across many design styles and can trend contemporary or traditional when pushed either way.”

He proves his point in a San Francisco entryway, where a Lindsey Adelman light fixture hangs above a limited-edition table and stools by Kelly Wearstleralso an enthusiast of juxtapositions — all providing bronze accents. The walls were hand-painted by artist Caroline Lizarraga and the ombré stair runner is by DMc.

West Coast designer Catherine Kwong chose a sleek brass and lacquered-parchment credenza by Scala Luxury to fit this San Francisco apartment. “The design of this sideboard is reminiscent of work by French modernist Jean Prouvé. The brass font imbues the space with warmth and the round ‘portholes’ provide an arresting geometric element.”

Find antique, new and vintage brass tables, case pieces and other furnishings now on 1stDibs.

Finding the Right Case Pieces And Storage Cabinets 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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