Butterfly Tansu Chest
Antique 19th Century Korean Campaign Furniture
Brass
Antique Early 19th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Antique Early 19th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Vintage 1970s Chinoiserie Night Stands
Brass, Enamel
People Also Browsed
2010s French Modern Chairs
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and...
Aluminum
21st Century and Contemporary Swedish Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Textile
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Brass, Bronze, Enamel, Nickel
21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Textile, Wood
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Cabinets
Brass
Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Card Tables and Tea Tables
Lacquer
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Benches
Fabric, Velvet, Lacquer, Wood
Antique 19th Century Furniture
Wood
2010s Austrian Art Deco Chandeliers and Pendants
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers an...
Plaster
Early 20th Century Korean Other Furniture
Brass
Antique 19th Century Chinese Qing Cabinets
Wood
Antique 19th Century Chinese Qing Cabinets
Wood
2010s Belgian Modern Sofas
Linen
Early 20th Century Korean Victorian Cabinets
Metal
Recent Sales
Antique 19th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Mid-20th Century Korean Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Antique 1890s Korean Meiji Blanket Chests
Elm
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Japanese Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Iron
Antique 1880s Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mid-20th Century Campaign Cabinets
Brass
20th Century Chinoiserie Cabinets
Rosewood
Mid-20th Century Korean Campaign Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century Dressers
Wood
Mid-20th Century Korean Mid-Century Modern Bedroom Sets
Brass
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Buffets
Brass
Antique Early 19th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Antique Late 19th Century Korean Meiji Blanket Chests
Brass
Antique 19th Century Asian Edo Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Cabinets
Brass
Finding the Right storage-case-pieces for You
Of all the antique and vintage case pieces and storage cabinets 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 storage 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. Whether you’re seeking a playful sideboard made of colored glass and metals, 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.
- What is a Tansu chest?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertNovember 2, 2021Tansu refers to Japanese portable storage chests. When tansu became a well-known feature of life in Japan — the chests’ emergence is said to be rooted in the Genroku era of the Edo period (1688–1704) — the country’s traditionally minimalist households had little to no proper seats, tables, or other pieces of furniture. Tansu were intended to be multipurpose cabinets. These case pieces were used to store things of everyday utility, such as clothing and various personal items. Tansu are regarded as collectible furniture with a timeless appeal. Shop a collection of antique, vintage, and contemporary Tansu from some of the world’s top dealers on 1stDibs.
- What is a tansu chest used for?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A tansu chest is a Japanese cabinet designed for easy transportation and can store a variety of items, including clothes and personal items. Tansu chests often feature multiple compartments to keep items organized. Shop a selection of authentic tansu chests on 1stDibs.
Read More
The Ultimate Guide to Types of Tables for the Home
Whether you’re just moving in or ready to give your home a makeover, our guide will give you pointers on tables that are fitting for every room, nook and hallway.
What Exactly Is a Secretary Desk, and What Is It Used For?
The furniture equivalent of a Swiss Army knife, it's the multifunctional piece you didn't know you needed.
This Shelving System with Oxidized Brass Tubes Is Retro and Futuristic at Once
Italian studio DimoreMilano mustered great ingenuity when crafting these sculptural shelves, which are built without any screws.
28 Cheerful Home Bars, Where Everybody (Literally) Knows Your Name
Simple or sophisticated, equipped with console, cart or custom cabinetry, these stylish bar areas deserve a toast.
Ask an Interior Designer: Work-from-Home Edition
Leaping into a design project, whether it's refreshing the bedroom or redoing the whole house, can be overwhelming. Luckily, we know more than a few interior designers. You asked questions on Instagram, and now they're answering.
Collected and Eclectic, ‘Wunderkammern’ Are Back in a Big Way
Introduced nearly 500 years ago, curiosity cabinets are finding new fans among today's collectors and designers.
Meet the Incredible Woman Transforming Fallen Trees into Sleek Furniture
In the hands of New York Heartwoods cofounder Megan Offner, unwanted local trees become works of design art.
These New York Architects Love a Complicated Project
From Brooklyn townhouses to Maine campgrounds, Trattie Davies and Jonathan Toews relish a challenge, like transforming a former warehouse space into the new 1stdibs Gallery.