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Carved Music Cabinet

Gabriel Viardot Signed 19th Century French Chinoiserie Music Cabinet
Gabriel Viardot Signed 19th Century French Chinoiserie Music Cabinet

Gabriel Viardot Signed 19th Century French Chinoiserie Music Cabinet

By Gabriel Viardot

Located in North Miami, FL

The side panels are similarly carved, contributing to the cabinet's overall visual appeal.

Category

Antique 19th Century French Music Stands

Materials

Bronze

19th Century French Empire Double-Side Lectern on Cabinet with Carved Eagle
19th Century French Empire Double-Side Lectern on Cabinet with Carved Eagle

19th Century French Empire Double-Side Lectern on Cabinet with Carved Eagle

Located in Dallas, TX

The cabinet retains its original hardware and stands on classic bun feet, grounding the vertical silhouette with balance and stability.

Category

Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Music Stands

Materials

Wrought Iron

Antique Victorian Carved Mahogany Music Cabinet or Bar Cabinet, Circa 1900
Antique Victorian Carved Mahogany Music Cabinet or Bar Cabinet, Circa 1900

Antique Victorian Carved Mahogany Music Cabinet or Bar Cabinet, Circa 1900

Located in South Bend, IN

A gorgeous antique Victorian or Queen Anne music cabinet, record cabinet, or bar cabinet USA, Circa 1900 Carved mahogany, with original brass hardware.

Category

Early 20th Century American Victorian Cabinets

Materials

Brass

Antique Victorian Carved Inlaid Mahogany Music Cabinet, Circa 1900
Antique Victorian Carved Inlaid Mahogany Music Cabinet, Circa 1900

Antique Victorian Carved Inlaid Mahogany Music Cabinet, Circa 1900

By Berkey & Gay Furniture

Located in South Bend, IN

A gorgeous antique Victorian or Queen Anne music cabinet or record cabinet USA, Circa 1900 Carved mahogany, with satinwood string inlay, and original brass hardware.

Category

Early 20th Century American Victorian Cabinets

Materials

Brass

Antique Victorian Carved Tiger Oak Music Cabinet, Circa 1900
Antique Victorian Carved Tiger Oak Music Cabinet, Circa 1900

Antique Victorian Carved Tiger Oak Music Cabinet, Circa 1900

By R.J. Horner & Co.

Located in South Bend, IN

A gorgeous antique Late Victorian or Arts & Crafts tiger oak music cabinet In the manner of R.J. Horner & Co. USA, Circa 1900 Measures: 18"W x 13"D x 38"H. Very good vintage cond...

Category

Early 20th Century American Victorian Cabinets

Materials

Brass

Aesthetic Movement Side Cabinet with Carved panels of Putti Putti playing music.
Aesthetic Movement Side Cabinet with Carved panels of Putti Putti playing music.

Aesthetic Movement Side Cabinet with Carved panels of Putti Putti playing music.

By Bruce James Talbert

Located in London, GB

An Aesthetic Movement part ebonized side cabinet with carved and gilt sunflower florets to the back and carved walnut panels to the doors cabinet with fine well-carved panels of Putt...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Aesthetic Movement Sideboards

Materials

Walnut

Victorian Solid Mahogany Sheet Music Cabinet, circa 1880s
Victorian Solid Mahogany Sheet Music Cabinet, circa 1880s

Victorian Solid Mahogany Sheet Music Cabinet, circa 1880s

Located in Germantown, MD

Victorian Solid Mahogany Sheet Music Cabinet, Circa 1880s. Features a top drawer with original wooden drawer knobs. Measures 21" in width and 17" in depth and 43.5" in height.

Category

Antique Late 19th Century American Victorian Cabinets

Materials

Mahogany, Satinwood

Payne Furniture Mahogany Inlaid Sheet Music Cabinet, Circa 1890s
Payne Furniture Mahogany Inlaid Sheet Music Cabinet, Circa 1890s

Payne Furniture Mahogany Inlaid Sheet Music Cabinet, Circa 1890s

Located in Germantown, MD

Payne Furniture Company Mahogany and Satinwood Inlaid Sheet Music Cabinet, Circa 1890s Measures 21.5" in width and 17.25" in depth and 40.5" in height.

Category

Antique Late 19th Century American Victorian Cabinets

Materials

Mahogany, Satinwood

Recent Sales

Valentino Panciera Besarel Portfolio or Music Cabinet, Italy Renaissance Revival
Valentino Panciera Besarel Portfolio or Music Cabinet, Italy Renaissance Revival

Valentino Panciera Besarel Portfolio or Music Cabinet, Italy Renaissance Revival

By Valentino Besarel

Located in Redding, CA

This cabinet by Master Carver Valentino Baserel is most likely a portfolio or music storage cabinet, the subject matter of the carving seems to be music related with putti dancing an...

Category

Antique 19th Century Italian Renaissance Revival Cabinets

Materials

Walnut

Regency Music Cabinet
Regency Music Cabinet

Regency Music Cabinet

Unavailable

H 51.19 in W 20.08 in D 14.57 in

Regency Music Cabinet

By Gillows of Lancaster & London

Located in Macclesfield, Cheshire

A beautifully crafted and presented music cabinet with sliding shelves and locking door.

Category

Antique 1820s English Early Victorian Musical Instruments

Materials

Mahogany

Early 20th Century Music Box in Rosewood Cabinet
Early 20th Century Music Box in Rosewood Cabinet

Early 20th Century Music Box in Rosewood Cabinet

Unavailable

H 66.5 in W 19.5 in D 11 in

Early 20th Century Music Box in Rosewood Cabinet

Located in Santa Ana, CA

This 19th century music box within a beautiful rosewood cabinet is in working condition. It plays the ten songs listed on the list pictured. Features a switch on the side, so it can ...

Category

Early 20th Century English Musical Instruments

Materials

Metal

Antique American Renaissance Revival Rosewood Carved Music Cabinet, Circa 1870
Antique American Renaissance Revival Rosewood Carved Music Cabinet, Circa 1870

Antique American Renaissance Revival Rosewood Carved Music Cabinet, Circa 1870

Located in Portland, OR

A fine antique American Renaissance Revival carved rosewood music cabinet, Circa 1870. The top of the cabinet having a finely handcarved backcrest, carved with musical instruments an...

Category

Antique 1860s American Renaissance Revival Cabinets

Materials

Maple, Rosewood

Antique American Empire Carved Mahogany Music Cabinet, Circa 1890s
Antique American Empire Carved Mahogany Music Cabinet, Circa 1890s

Antique American Empire Carved Mahogany Music Cabinet, Circa 1890s

Located in South Bend, IN

A beautiful antique American Empire or Victorian style music cabinet or bar cabinet USA, Circa 1890s Carved mahogany, with original brass hardware.

Category

Antique 1890s American Victorian Cabinets

Materials

Mahogany

Petite Antique French Carved Oak Renaissance Revival Bookcase Cabinet Music
Petite Antique French Carved Oak Renaissance Revival Bookcase Cabinet Music

Petite Antique French Carved Oak Renaissance Revival Bookcase Cabinet Music

Located in Shreveport, LA

Petite antique French carved oak Renaissance revival bookcase cabinet music ~Direct from France~ Exquisitely hand carved 19th century French bookcase, in a versatile and unique, pet...

Category

Antique 1850s French Renaissance Revival Bookcases

Materials

Glass, Oak

Late 19th Century French Hand Carved and Painted Music Cabinet, Marble
Late 19th Century French Hand Carved and Painted Music Cabinet, Marble

Late 19th Century French Hand Carved and Painted Music Cabinet, Marble

Located in Fayetteville, AR

Originally used to store sheet music, this late nineteenth century French painted cabinet features a black marble top and hand carved details on the sides of laurel wreath crowns.

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Shelves

Materials

Marble

19th Century French Carved Oak Bookcase Cabinet Glass Door Music Renaissance
19th Century French Carved Oak Bookcase Cabinet Glass Door Music Renaissance

19th Century French Carved Oak Bookcase Cabinet Glass Door Music Renaissance

Located in Shreveport, LA

~The “broken pediment” style high upper crown features a center medallion hand carved with initials and flanked by two large finials ~Large carved crown molding with another dimensi...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Renaissance Bookcases

Materials

Glass, Oak

Eastlake Style Chip Carved Cherry & Ormolu Drop Front Music Cabinet Stand C1890
Eastlake Style Chip Carved Cherry & Ormolu Drop Front Music Cabinet Stand C1890

Eastlake Style Chip Carved Cherry & Ormolu Drop Front Music Cabinet Stand C1890

Located in Big Flats, NY

Antique Eastlake Style Chip Carved Cherry & Ormolu Drop Front Music Cabinet & Stand C1890 Measures - 53"H x 21.75"W x 15"D This antique music cabinet and stand, dating to circa 1890,...

Category

Antique 19th Century Eastlake Cabinets

Materials

Ormolu

19th Century French Glass Vitrine Display Cabinet Carved Louis XV Music Motif
19th Century French Glass Vitrine Display Cabinet Carved Louis XV Music Motif

19th Century French Glass Vitrine Display Cabinet Carved Louis XV Music Motif

Located in Shreveport, LA

19th century French glass vitrine display cabinet carved oak Louis XV Music Motif. Direct from France, a lovely and very versatile antique French “vitrine” or bookcase.

Category

Antique 1890s French Louis XV Vitrines

Materials

Blown Glass, Oak

A Gothic Revival Carved Oak Glazed Music Cabinet, designed by B Talbert

A Gothic Revival Carved Oak Glazed Music Cabinet, designed by B Talbert

By Bruce James Talbert

Located in London, GB

Bruce Talbert (1838-1881), a Gothic Revival oak and glazed music cabinet, carved florets with upper section and drop down door and large cupboard below , probably made by Gillow and...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Gothic Revival Cabinets

Materials

Oak

Mahogany Philco 1920s Music Radio Cabinet with Needlepoint and Carved Wood Case
Mahogany Philco 1920s Music Radio Cabinet with Needlepoint and Carved Wood Case

Mahogany Philco 1920s Music Radio Cabinet with Needlepoint and Carved Wood Case

Located in West Hartford, CT

Elegant and unusual Philco 1920s radio in cabinet with one of a kind needlepoint on front. Features a Philco Model G speaker. The model number is 87 and it appears to work although w...

Category

Vintage 1940s American Cabinets

Materials

Metal

Late Victorian Carved Mahogany Music Cabinet Ball & Claw Foot Backsplash Dry Bar
Late Victorian Carved Mahogany Music Cabinet Ball & Claw Foot Backsplash Dry Bar

Late Victorian Carved Mahogany Music Cabinet Ball & Claw Foot Backsplash Dry Bar

Located in Dayton, OH

Late Victorian carved mahogany music cabinet ball and claw foot backsplash dry bar Late Victorian mahogany music cabinet.

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Late Victorian Dry Bars

Materials

Mahogany

French Buffet With Carved Music Motif
French Buffet With Carved Music Motif

French Buffet With Carved Music Motif

Sold

H 36 in W 53.5 in D 25.125 in

French Buffet With Carved Music Motif

Located in Atlanta, GA

Early 19 th.c. French Buffet with carved music motif on doors and nice patina.

Category

Antique 19th Century French Buffets

Materials

Wood

Antique French Floral Paint Decorated Bombe Music Cabinet, Circa 1890
Antique French Floral Paint Decorated Bombe Music Cabinet, Circa 1890

Antique French Floral Paint Decorated Bombe Music Cabinet, Circa 1890

Located in Big Flats, NY

An antique French Bombe music cabinet offers wood construction with hand painted floral reserves, scroll, foliate and gadroon elements, shaped top over shelf and single door cabinet,...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Rococo Cabinets

Materials

Wood

Antique Renaissance Revival Walnut Music Cabinet with Rouge Marble Top, c1870
Antique Renaissance Revival Walnut Music Cabinet with Rouge Marble Top, c1870

Antique Renaissance Revival Walnut Music Cabinet with Rouge Marble Top, c1870

Located in Big Flats, NY

An antique Renaissance Revival music cabinet offers beveled clip corner rouge marble top surmounting walnut case having single door with central element of musical instruments and op...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century European Renaissance Revival Cabinets

Materials

Marble

Regency Rosewood Three-Tier Rosewood Music Stand/Whatnot
Regency Rosewood Three-Tier Rosewood Music Stand/Whatnot

Regency Rosewood Three-Tier Rosewood Music Stand/Whatnot

Located in Dallas, TX

This is an a fine example of an early 19th century rosewood music stand / whatnot dating to the Regency period, circa 1820. Raised on turned legs riding on brass castors, this stand...

Category

Antique Early 19th Century English Regency Bookcases

Materials

Wood, Rosewood

Early 20th century French empire revival music stand
Early 20th century French empire revival music stand

Early 20th century French empire revival music stand

Sold

H 40.25 in W 17.75 in D 15.5 in

Early 20th century French empire revival music stand

Located in Debenham, Suffolk

Early 20th century French empire revival music stand circa 1900. Elegant and unusual french mahogany and ormolu stand or rack, multi purpose for music or magazines. Lyre form main ...

Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Shelves

Materials

Ormolu

Antique English Tiger Oak Canterbury Bookstand Music Magazine Bookshelf c1900
Antique English Tiger Oak Canterbury Bookstand Music Magazine Bookshelf c1900

Antique English Tiger Oak Canterbury Bookstand Music Magazine Bookshelf c1900

Located in Shreveport, LA

Antique English Tiger Oak Canterbury Bookstand Music Magazine Bookshelf c1900. Direct from England, a charming antique English book trough or magazine rack. The elegant silhouette f...

Category

Antique Early 1900s British Arts and Crafts Bookcases

Materials

Oak

17th Century Renaissance Italian Chestnut Leggio Music Desk, Base Lectern Table
17th Century Renaissance Italian Chestnut Leggio Music Desk, Base Lectern Table

17th Century Renaissance Italian Chestnut Leggio Music Desk, Base Lectern Table

Located in Encinitas, CA

Unique 17th Century Renaissance leggio bookrest suitable as a reading, music desk or presentation lectern, as it is well-matched and paired with and permanently mounted to the 19th c...

Category

Antique 1660s Italian Baroque Desks

Materials

Chestnut

Antique Regina Carved Oak Music Box with Custom Cabinet & Discs, c1890
Antique Regina Carved Oak Music Box with Custom Cabinet & Discs, c1890

Antique Regina Carved Oak Music Box with Custom Cabinet & Discs, c1890

Located in Big Flats, NY

An antique Regina music box offers carved oak case with turned corner column and raised on bracket feet, maker label and number as photographed, c1890; newer custom floor cabinet wit...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century American Musical Instruments

Materials

Oak

Hanging Liberty Cabinet
Hanging Liberty Cabinet

Hanging Liberty Cabinet

Sold

H 23.23 in W 38.59 in D 6.5 in

Hanging Liberty Cabinet

Located in Alessandria, Piemonte

M/1143 - Nice little hanging cabinet from the Liberty era: useful wherever You want to admire it.

Category

Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Music Stands

Materials

Fruitwood

Antique Victorian Carved Tiger Oak Music Cabinet, Circa 1900
Antique Victorian Carved Tiger Oak Music Cabinet, Circa 1900

Antique Victorian Carved Tiger Oak Music Cabinet, Circa 1900

By R.J. Horner & Co.

Located in South Bend, IN

A gorgeous antique Late Victorian or Arts & Crafts tiger oak music cabinet or bar cabinet In the manner of R.J. Horner & Co. USA, Circa 1900 Measures: 20"W x 16"D x 39.25"H. Very...

Category

Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Cabinets

Materials

Oak

Antique Napoleon III French Empire Carved Mahogany Sheet Music Cabinet, c1870
Antique Napoleon III French Empire Carved Mahogany Sheet Music Cabinet, c1870

Antique Napoleon III French Empire Carved Mahogany Sheet Music Cabinet, c1870

Located in Big Flats, NY

An antique Napoleon III French Empire sheet music cabinet offers mahogany construction with raised panel single door opening to shelved interior, raised on scroll form feet, c1870 ...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Cabinets

Materials

Wood, Mahogany

19th Century Victorian Sheet Music Cabinet
19th Century Victorian Sheet Music Cabinet

19th Century Victorian Sheet Music Cabinet

Sold

H 36 in W 22 in D 16.25 in

19th Century Victorian Sheet Music Cabinet

Located in Germantown, MD

A 19th century Sheet Music Cabinet. Good structural condition. Measures 19" in width, 14.50" in depth and stands 35.25" tall.

Category

Antique Late 19th Century American Victorian Cabinets

Materials

Mahogany

Late 19th Century French Hand-Carved Walnut Music Cabinet or Display Vitrine
Late 19th Century French Hand-Carved Walnut Music Cabinet or Display Vitrine

Late 19th Century French Hand-Carved Walnut Music Cabinet or Display Vitrine

Located in Fayetteville, AR

This late 19th century French walnut vitrine was originally used as a music cabinet. Its upper cabinet has a mirror at the back, glass on three sides, and two glass shelves, ideal fo...

Category

Antique 1890s French Vitrines

Materials

Glass, Walnut

Victorian Rococo Rosewood and Marble Music Cabinet
Victorian Rococo Rosewood and Marble Music Cabinet

Victorian Rococo Rosewood and Marble Music Cabinet

Located in Petaluma, CA

This is certainly one of the nicer music cabinets ever made. Handsome rosewood and white marble make this cabinet a fine example. This is American Rococo design and therefore made in...

Category

Antique 1860s American Early Victorian Cabinets

Materials

Marble

Antique Victorian Golden Oak Carved Lyre Harp Paw Feet Sheet Music Cabinet
Antique Victorian Golden Oak Carved Lyre Harp Paw Feet Sheet Music Cabinet

Antique Victorian Golden Oak Carved Lyre Harp Paw Feet Sheet Music Cabinet

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Antique Victorian golden oak carved lyre harp paw feet sheet music cabinet. Item features lyre/harp carved door front, carved backsplash, solid wood construction, beautiful wood grai...

Category

20th Century North American Victorian Cabinets

Materials

Oak

Exquisite rare Art Nouveau Display / music cabinet By Emile Galle France 1905
Exquisite rare Art Nouveau Display / music cabinet By Emile Galle France 1905

Exquisite rare Art Nouveau Display / music cabinet By Emile Galle France 1905

By Émile Gallé

Located in Ijzendijke, NL

This stunning French antique Art Nouveau display cabinet by Émile Gallé, crafted in 1905, is a true masterpiece. Adorned with intricate marquetry on all sides, this museum-quality pi...

Category

Antique Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Cabinets

Materials

Walnut, Glass

Folk Art 1909 Music Cabinet
Folk Art 1909 Music Cabinet

Folk Art 1909 Music Cabinet

Sold

H 37.5 in W 18.25 in D 16 in

Folk Art 1909 Music Cabinet

Located in 3 Oaks, MI

Dedicated on the front of the cabinet to E.A.C. 11-06-09. The piece is carved on all sides with remnants of the original white paint.

Category

Early 20th Century American Music Stands

Materials

Pine

An Arts & Crafts Carved And Decorated Music Cabinet
An Arts & Crafts Carved And Decorated Music Cabinet

An Arts & Crafts Carved And Decorated Music Cabinet

Located in Salt Lake City, UT

Built to hold music and small instruments — but equally useful for holding magazines like a canterbury — this small cabinet is divided into a small, two -door compartment on the top,...

Category

20th Century Arts and Crafts Cabinets

Mahogany Music Cabinet
Mahogany Music Cabinet

Mahogany Music Cabinet

Sold

H 47 in W 21.5 in D 17 in

Mahogany Music Cabinet

Located in Wilson, NC

Mahogany music cabinet, the drawers lined with solid mahogany.

Category

Antique Early 1900s French Cabinets

Materials

Brass

Impressive William IV Rosewood Lyre-Shaped Music Canterbury
Impressive William IV Rosewood Lyre-Shaped Music Canterbury

Impressive William IV Rosewood Lyre-Shaped Music Canterbury

Located in Bradford on Avon, GB

The highly figured rosewood canterbury has lyre-shaped divisions and turned rosewood supports which sit on plinth bases which are carved, moulded and finished from front to back abov...

Category

Antique 1830s English William IV Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Rosewood

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Mid-Victorian Moorish wrought & cast iron pergola or decorative garden structure
Mid-Victorian Moorish wrought & cast iron pergola or decorative garden structure

Mid-Victorian Moorish wrought & cast iron pergola or decorative garden structure

Located in London, GB

A monumental Moorish mid-Victorian wrought iron Pergola or Decorative Garden Structure, a unique masterpiece in High Victorian Ironwork design. Our research confirms it is French, da...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century European Moorish Architectural Elements

Materials

Wrought Iron

19th Century Japanese Cinnabar / Lacquer Cabinet
19th Century Japanese Cinnabar / Lacquer Cabinet

19th Century Japanese Cinnabar / Lacquer Cabinet

$18,525Sale Price|35% Off

H 88 in W 50.5 in D 19.5 in

19th Century Japanese Cinnabar / Lacquer Cabinet

Located in Fulton, CA

Incredible example of Asian lacquer carving. Standing over seven feet tall, this monumental display shelf was produced in Japan at the end of the Edo period, late 19th century. It fe...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Edo Cabinets

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Antique Art Nouveau Wall Cabinet Mahogany 1890 Japanse Gabriel Vierdot Style
Antique Art Nouveau Wall Cabinet Mahogany 1890 Japanse Gabriel Vierdot Style

Antique Art Nouveau Wall Cabinet Mahogany 1890 Japanse Gabriel Vierdot Style

By Gabriel Viardot

Located in Ijzendijke, NL

Gorgeous Antique mahogany wall cabinet etagere wall shelf display rack Japanese Chinese woodCarved 1890 1900 art nouveau rare Gabriel Viardot style Beautiful rare antique display wa...

Category

Antique 1890s French Art Nouveau Shelves

Materials

Mahogany

Early 19th Century Chinese Coromandel Eight-Panel Screen with Palace Attendants
Early 19th Century Chinese Coromandel Eight-Panel Screen with Palace Attendants

Early 19th Century Chinese Coromandel Eight-Panel Screen with Palace Attendants

$60,000Sale Price|20% Off

H 74.13 in W 122 in D 0.75 in

Early 19th Century Chinese Coromandel Eight-Panel Screen with Palace Attendants

Located in Miami, FL

Early 19th Century Chinese Coromandel Eight-Panel Screen — Provenance: Perret Vibert, Paris Early 19th Century Chinese Coromandel Eight-Panel Screen with Palace Attendants and Schola...

Category

Antique Early 19th Century Chinese Qing Screens and Room Dividers

Materials

Wood, Paint

19th Century, Monumental Carved Boiserie Panels from Lartington Hall
19th Century, Monumental Carved Boiserie Panels from Lartington Hall

19th Century, Monumental Carved Boiserie Panels from Lartington Hall

Located in London, GB

The Lartington hall carved Boiserie panels by Signor Anton Leone Bulletti. A highly important suite of eight carved and patinated wood panels commissioned by Monsignor Thomas Edw...

Category

Antique 19th Century English Renaissance Revival Panelling

Materials

Wood, Pine

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Carved Music Cabinet For Sale on 1stDibs

At 1stDibs, there are many versions of the ideal carved music cabinet for your home. Each carved music cabinet for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using wood, glass and mahogany. You’ve searched high and low for the perfect carved music cabinet — we have versions that date back to the 18th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 20th Century are available. When you’re browsing for the right carved music cabinet, those designed in Victorian, Arts and Crafts and Baroque styles are of considerable interest. A well-made carved music cabinet has long been a part of the offerings for many furniture designers and manufacturers, but those produced by Bruce James Talbert are consistently popular.

How Much is a Carved Music Cabinet?

Prices for a carved music cabinet can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, they begin at $995 and can go as high as $8,400, while the average can fetch as much as $2,000.

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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