Cabinets With Hidden Compartments
Early 20th Century Chinese Buffets
Wood
Late 20th Century Unknown Other Secretaires
Wood
Antique Early 18th Century French Louis XV Secretaires
Wood
Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Desks
Chrome
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Wardrobes and Armoires
Brass
Antique 19th Century Portuguese Folk Art Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Antique 17th Century Sri Lankan Dutch Colonial Jewelry Boxes
Silver
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Barware
Chrome
Antique 17th Century Swedish Baroque Cabinets
Walnut
Antique 1870s German Biedermeier Secretaires
Cherry, Walnut
Antique Early 1800s English Regency Desks
Brass
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks
Teak
Antique 19th Century Danish Secretaires
Pine
Antique 19th Century Danish Biedermeier Secretaires
Wood
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Teak
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
Metal
Antique 18th Century French French Provincial Desks
Antique Mid-19th Century Danish Desks
Wood, Pine
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
Antique 18th Century Swedish Baroque Cabinets
Antique 19th Century Italian Baroque Cabinets
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks
Antique 19th Century French Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
20th Century Italian Secretaires
Walnut
20th Century Italian Cabinets
Wood
Vintage 1970s American Desks
Late 20th Century American Chippendale Secretaires
Brass
Cabinets With Hidden Compartments For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are Cabinets With Hidden Compartments?
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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