Skip to main content

Chinese Lacquer

to
174
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
2,120
510
2,585
56
38
72
34
22
21
16
13
12
9
7
4
4
3
174
1,393
1,014
94
377
289
161
37
6
30
31
43
56
51
57
22
5
1,932
892
766
677
673
2,130
2,107
2,089
188
148
2,676
2,635
2,637
27
15
10
7
5
Sort By
Chinese Armoire with Compound Doors
Chinese Armoire with Compound Doors

Chinese Armoire with Compound Doors

Located in Chicago, IL

This impressive Chinese armoire is made from red lacquer over elmwood.

Category

20th Century Chinese Cabinets

Materials

Elm, Lacquer

Chinoiserie Wardrobe Cabinet Northern China c1820
Chinoiserie Wardrobe Cabinet Northern China c1820

Chinoiserie Wardrobe Cabinet Northern China c1820

Located in Paddock Wood Tonbridge, GB

A Chinese solid elm cabinet with original lacquer produced in Northern China during the Quing Dynasty, this cabinet was usually bought as a gift for a newly married couple and lot we...

Category

Antique 1820s Chinese Chinese Export Cabinets

Materials

Elm

Chinese Display Shelf
Chinese Display Shelf

Chinese Display Shelf

Located in Chicago, IL

These slim, elegant shelves are ideal for the display of small collectible objects and books. These pieces were made in the late 19th century from Elm Wood and natural lacquer. To en...

Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Shelves

Materials

Elm, Lacquer

Chinese Square-Corner Console
Chinese Square-Corner Console

Chinese Square-Corner Console

Located in Chicago, IL

This elongated sideboard features six drawers raised above three sets of doors, which conceal additional storage space. Each of the interior compartments is outfitted with a removabl...

Category

20th Century Chinese Cabinets

Materials

Elm, Lacquer

Fine and Elegant Black Lacquer Sideboard
Fine and Elegant Black Lacquer Sideboard

Fine and Elegant Black Lacquer Sideboard

Located in Greenwich, CT

A very simple and refined black lacquer sideboard, black lacquer top and sides, two pairs of doors with brass fitting.

Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Sideboards

Materials

Lacquer

1970s Burgundy Lacquered Wood Hall Cabinet Chinoiserie
1970s Burgundy Lacquered Wood Hall Cabinet Chinoiserie

1970s Burgundy Lacquered Wood Hall Cabinet Chinoiserie

Located in San Gabriel, CA

36.5" high x 24" wide x 12" deep 1970s wood cabinet lacquered in burgundy with floral bird design. Some minor chips and imperfections to lacquer but in general, good condition.

Category

Vintage 1970s Chinese Chinoiserie Cabinets

Materials

Wood, Paint, Lacquer

A 19th Century Chinese Export Carved lacquer Paint and Gilt
A 19th Century Chinese Export Carved lacquer Paint and Gilt

A 19th Century Chinese Export Carved lacquer Paint and Gilt

Located in Chonburi, TH

This 19th-century Indonesian Export Carved Lacquer Paint and Gilt cabinet is a magnificent example of the exquisite craftsmanship and artistic flair of the late 19th century. This ca...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Indonesian Vitrines

Materials

Glass, Wood, Giltwood

Black Lacquer Chest With Lattice Fret Work
Black Lacquer Chest With Lattice Fret Work

Black Lacquer Chest With Lattice Fret Work

Located in Greenwich, CT

a very refined black lacquer chest with lattice fret work on the pair of doors, two drawers on bottom, brass fitting. View our website at: www.greenwichorientalantiques.com for addit...

Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Lacquer

A Pair Of Black Lacquer Apothecary Chests
A Pair Of Black Lacquer Apothecary Chests

A Pair Of Black Lacquer Apothecary Chests

Located in Greenwich, CT

A pair of refined and elegant black lacquer apothecary chests, brass ring pulls. Beautiful form, lines and colors. Selling single or pair, $2800 each. View our website at: www.greenw...

Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Lacquer

Black Lacquered Hand Painted Chinoiserie Lighted Display China Cabinet Vitrine
Black Lacquered Hand Painted Chinoiserie Lighted Display China Cabinet Vitrine

Black Lacquered Hand Painted Chinoiserie Lighted Display China Cabinet Vitrine

By Jasper Furniture Company

Located in West Hartford, CT

Vintage black lacquer chinoiserie vitrine display cabinet with beautiful hand painted scenery on three sides. It has glass on the top front doors and sides. The front doors open to g...

Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vitrines

Materials

Glass, Wood

Large Sideboard, Original Red Lacquer
Large Sideboard, Original Red Lacquer

Large Sideboard, Original Red Lacquer

Located in Kastrup, DK

Large sideboard (W: 237,5) with three pairs of doors, above the doors in the middle a pair of drawers. The sideboard has a original thick red lacquer on the front/ top and black lacq...

Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Qing Sideboards

Materials

Elm

Chinese Square Corner Locking Cabinet
Chinese Square Corner Locking Cabinet

Chinese Square Corner Locking Cabinet

Located in Chicago, IL

Perfecting line and proportion, the simple design of this low locking chest celebrates the restraint of classic Chinese furniture forms. Crafted from reclaimed elmwood, the cabinet i...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Export Cabinets

Materials

Brass

Lacquered Storage Cabinet
Lacquered Storage Cabinet

Lacquered Storage Cabinet

Located in Chicago, IL

The beauty of this red lacquered cabinet is not only the lacquered wood or precise carving, but in the complex joinery just beneath the surface.

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Chinese Furniture

Qing Dynasty Red Lacquer Elmwood Cabinet
Qing Dynasty Red Lacquer Elmwood Cabinet

Qing Dynasty Red Lacquer Elmwood Cabinet

Located in Kastrup, DK

Chinese cabinet / sideboard from the Qing period, crafted in elm wood with its original red lacquer finish.

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Chinese Qing Cabinets

Materials

Brass

Red Crackled Lacquer Scroll Table
Red Crackled Lacquer Scroll Table

Red Crackled Lacquer Scroll Table

Located in Chicago, IL

The fluid line of this elegant table underscores its impressive sang de beauf colored linear crackled lacquer finish. To achieve the finish, artisans applied dozens of coats of lacq...

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Chinese Sideboards

Materials

Elm

Red Lacquer Armoire With Gold Gilt Landscape Motif
Red Lacquer Armoire With Gold Gilt Landscape Motif

Red Lacquer Armoire With Gold Gilt Landscape Motif

Located in Greenwich, CT

A stunning red lacquer armoire (due to digital camera flash light,see the actural red in the close shot) of upright form, red lacquer front with fine hand painted muted gold gilt lan...

Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Lacquer

Bamboo & Black Lacquer Corner Shelve
Bamboo & Black Lacquer Corner Shelve

Bamboo & Black Lacquer Corner Shelve

Located in Greenwich, CT

A refined and elegant bamboo corner stand, four black lacquer shelves with rounded front, lattice fret work railing. Selling pair or single, $2500 each. View our website at: www.gree...

Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Shelves

Materials

Lacquer, Bamboo

Antique Multi-Drawer Painted Lacquered Apothecary Cabinet
Antique Multi-Drawer Painted Lacquered Apothecary Cabinet

Antique Multi-Drawer Painted Lacquered Apothecary Cabinet

Located in Round Top, TX

There is something visually mezmerizing about an old apothecary and this unique Chinese cabinet from the late 1800's is no execption.

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Chinese Furniture

Materials

Wood

Chinese Shadow Box Coffer
Chinese Shadow Box Coffer

Chinese Shadow Box Coffer

Located in Chicago, IL

There’s an air of mystery about this coffer with its rich, lacquered finish and the shadow cast by its overhanging top. Crafted of elmwood circa 1900, the coffer contains three drawe...

Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Furniture

Materials

Brass

Low  Sideboard in Black Lacquer
Low  Sideboard in Black Lacquer

Low Sideboard in Black Lacquer

Located in Kastrup, DK

Chinese Qing dynasty low sideboard, also known as a kang (low) cabinet, with black lacquer.

Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Art Deco Sideboards

Materials

Wood

Black Lacquer Armoire Wtih Gold Gilt Butterfly Motif
Black Lacquer Armoire Wtih Gold Gilt Butterfly Motif

Black Lacquer Armoire Wtih Gold Gilt Butterfly Motif

Located in Greenwich, CT

Very elegant black lacquer armoire. of upright tapered form, fine hand painted muted gold gilt butterfly motif on the pair of doors, brass fitting. there are 2 shelves and 3 drawers ...

Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Lacquer

Chinese Provincial Storage Case
Chinese Provincial Storage Case

Chinese Provincial Storage Case

Located in Chicago, IL

Resembling a contemporary modular bookcase or media centre, this clean-lined storage case dates from 1900 when it also provided prime storage and display space. Made of lacquered pin...

Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Furniture

Materials

Brass

Black Lacquer Chest With Polychrome Motif
Black Lacquer Chest With Polychrome Motif

Black Lacquer Chest With Polychrome Motif

Located in Greenwich, CT

A beautiful black lacquer chest, of square form, black lacquer top and sides, fine polychrome hand painted landscape motif on the pair of doors, brass fitting. View our website: www....

Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Trunks and Luggage

Materials

Lacquer

Black Lacquered Chest
Black Lacquered Chest

Black Lacquered Chest

Located in Chicago, IL

A 19th century provincial Chinese black lacquered chest with two doors and one drawer with brass hardware.

Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Elm

Compact Chinese Round-Corner Cabinet
Compact Chinese Round-Corner Cabinet

Compact Chinese Round-Corner Cabinet

Located in Chicago, IL

This compact armoire is comprised of beautiful clean lines; an asymmetrical overhanging top called a cabinet’s cap surmounts straight, convex legs and feet. A pair of doors, with mou...

Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Furniture

Materials

Elm

Pair of Chinese Calligrapher's Shelves
Pair of Chinese Calligrapher's Shelves

Pair of Chinese Calligrapher's Shelves

Located in Chicago, IL

Masterfully crafted of lacquered elmwood, circa 1900, the bookcases may have once been the centrepieces of the studio of a Chinese scholar.

Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Furniture

Materials

Elm

A Pair Of Black Lacquer Apothecary Chests
A Pair Of Black Lacquer Apothecary Chests

A Pair Of Black Lacquer Apothecary Chests

Located in Greenwich, CT

a pair of elegant and refined black lacquer apothecary chests with brass ring pulls. Beautiful form, lines and colors. selling as pair or single, $2400 each. View our website at: www...

Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Apothecary Cabinets

Materials

Lacquer

19th Century Chinese Sideboard
19th Century Chinese Sideboard

19th Century Chinese Sideboard

Located in New York, NY

19th century Chinese sideboard. Walnut wood sideboard with three top drawers, two smaller apothecary style drawers, lower cabinet with distinctive center bar closure system.

Category

Antique 1870s Chinese Qing Sideboards

Materials

Walnut

Black Lacquer Cabinet With Gold Gilt Motif
Black Lacquer Cabinet With Gold Gilt Motif

Black Lacquer Cabinet With Gold Gilt Motif

Located in Greenwich, CT

An elegant black lacquer cabinet with fine hand painted landscape motif in gold gilt on the pair of doors, brass fitting. Beautiful form, lines and colors. View our website at: www.g...

Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Cabinets

Materials

Gold

18th Century Chinese Shrine Cabinet
18th Century Chinese Shrine Cabinet

18th Century Chinese Shrine Cabinet

Located in Chicago, IL

From the outside, this low Chinese cedar cabinet is unassuming. However, opening the two lacquered doors reveals a shrine designed to house altar spirits and incense.

Category

Antique Mid-18th Century Chinese Qing Furniture

Materials

Cedar

Red Lacquer Chest with Gilt Motif Design
Red Lacquer Chest with Gilt Motif Design

Red Lacquer Chest with Gilt Motif Design

Located in Greenwich, CT

Red lacquer chest with gilt motif floral motif design. Elegant and beautiful color. We carry fine quality furniture with elegant finished and has been appeared many times in "Archite...

Category

Vintage 1930s Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture

Materials

Lacquer

Five-Drawer Chinese Sideboard
Five-Drawer Chinese Sideboard

Five-Drawer Chinese Sideboard

Located in Chicago, IL

This five-drawer sideboard is from Hebei, China and was made from reclaimed elm wood, circa 1865. It features three shelves on the bottom and five drawers for ample storage. You can ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Sideboards

Materials

Elm, Lacquer

Chinese Cinnabar Apothecary Chest
Chinese Cinnabar Apothecary Chest

Chinese Cinnabar Apothecary Chest

Located in Chicago, IL

This contemporary apothecary chest is modeled after those used in Qing-dynasty pharmacies to organize and store herbal medicines. A statement piece cloaked in a crimson red lacquer, ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Apothecary Cabinets

Materials

Brass

Chinese Cinnabar Apothecary Chest
Chinese Cinnabar Apothecary Chest

Chinese Cinnabar Apothecary Chest

Located in Chicago, IL

This contemporary apothecary chest is modeled after those used in Qing-dynasty pharmacies to organize and store herbal medicines. A statement piece cloaked in a crimson red lacquer, ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Apothecary Cabinets

Materials

Brass

Elegant Lacquered Secretaire
Elegant Lacquered Secretaire

Elegant Lacquered Secretaire

Located in Saint-Ouen, FR

Opening on 4 drawers on the upper part and 4 drawers on the lower part . 7 lacquered parts . Nice chinese decorations: landscapes, characters, buildings etc

Category

Antique 19th Century French Secretaires

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Chinese Lattice Kitchen Cabinet, c. 1900
Chinese Lattice Kitchen Cabinet, c. 1900

Chinese Lattice Kitchen Cabinet, c. 1900

Located in Chicago, IL

A sheer layer of red-brown lacquer darkens the exterior, now richly aged with time and speckled with imperfections.

Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

Dark Lacquer Sideboard
Dark Lacquer Sideboard

Dark Lacquer Sideboard

Located in Yonkers, NY

Dark Lacquer Antique Chinese Sideboard With Round Brass Medallion Hardware.

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Chinese Sideboards

18th-19th Century Chinese Export Chinoiserie Lacquer Decorated Knee Hole Desk
18th-19th Century Chinese Export Chinoiserie Lacquer Decorated Knee Hole Desk

18th-19th Century Chinese Export Chinoiserie Lacquer Decorated Knee Hole Desk

Located in Stamford, CT

Chinoiserie is decorative work influenced by Chinese art. It reflects an 18th century romanticism and re-interpretation of Chinese visual images idealized for European taste.

Category

Antique 19th Century English Chinoiserie Desks

Materials

Wood

Refined and Elegant Black Lacquer Sideboard
Refined and Elegant Black Lacquer Sideboard

Refined and Elegant Black Lacquer Sideboard

Located in Greenwich, CT

A simple and refined black lacquer sideboard, two pairs of doors with brass fitting. Beautiful color, form and lines.

Category

Antique Early 1900s Chinese Ming Sideboards

Materials

Lacquer

Black Lacquer Armoire With Gold Gilt Butterfly Motif
Black Lacquer Armoire With Gold Gilt Butterfly Motif

Black Lacquer Armoire With Gold Gilt Butterfly Motif

Located in Greenwich, CT

A refined and elegant black lacquer armoire with gold gilt butterfly motif, brass fitting, beautiful color, form and lines. View our website at: www.greenwichorientalantiques.com for...

Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Furniture

Materials

Gold

Pair of Chinese Scholar’s Document Cabinets
Pair of Chinese Scholar’s Document Cabinets

Pair of Chinese Scholar’s Document Cabinets

Located in Chicago, IL

This handsome red lacquer bookcase comes in two parts. The top half provides an expansive display area in the form of three shelves with 12 individual cubbies. The lower half boasts ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Furniture

Materials

Elm

Chinese 19th century chinoiserie wedding cabinet armoire
Chinese 19th century chinoiserie wedding cabinet armoire

Chinese 19th century chinoiserie wedding cabinet armoire

Located in Yonkers, NY

Chinese 19th century Black lacquer and decorated chinoiserie cabinet, with court yard scenes.

Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Cabinets

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Pair Mid 20th Century Asian Lacquer Cabinets
Pair Mid 20th Century Asian Lacquer Cabinets

Pair Mid 20th Century Asian Lacquer Cabinets

Located in Vancouver, British Columbia

Pair of vintage Asian black lacquer cabinets with decorative figural scenes. A pair of cabinet doors over a single drawer to the base.  

Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Ming Cabinets

Materials

Lacquer

Vintage Drexel Black Lacquered Breakfront
Vintage Drexel Black Lacquered Breakfront

Vintage Drexel Black Lacquered Breakfront

By Drexel

Located in Annville, PA

The Vintage Drexel Black Lacquered Breakfront is as elegant as China cabinets come.

Category

Vintage 1980s American Chinese Chippendale Bookcases

Materials

Lacquer

Fine Black Lacquer Armoire With Gold Gilt Butterfly Motif
Fine Black Lacquer Armoire With Gold Gilt Butterfly Motif

Fine Black Lacquer Armoire With Gold Gilt Butterfly Motif

Located in Greenwich, CT

A refined and elegant black lacquer armoire with gold gilt butterfly motif, brass fitting, beautiful color, form and lines.

Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Lacquer

Chinese Scholar’s Writing Cabinet
Chinese Scholar’s Writing Cabinet

Chinese Scholar’s Writing Cabinet

Located in Chicago, IL

This handsome red lacquer bookcase comes in two parts. The central cabinet (main image) boasts versatile storage space in the form of three open shelves and seven drawers, each with ...

Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Bookcases

Materials

Elm

Black Lacquer SideBoard With Gold Gilt Motif
Black Lacquer SideBoard With Gold Gilt Motif

Black Lacquer SideBoard With Gold Gilt Motif

Located in Greenwich, CT

A refined and elegant black lacquer sideboard with painted gold gilt landscape motif, four drawers on top of two pairs of doors, brass fitting, beautiful color, form and lines. View ...

Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Sideboards

Materials

Lacquer

Black Lacquer SideBoard With Gold Gilt Motif
Black Lacquer SideBoard With Gold Gilt Motif

Black Lacquer SideBoard With Gold Gilt Motif

Located in Greenwich, CT

A refined and stunning black lacquer sideboard with muted gold gilt birds and flowers motif, three drawers on top of a pair of two fold doors, brass fitting. View our our website at:...

Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Sideboards

Materials

Lacquer

Chinese Lattice Cabinet with Original Patina
Chinese Lattice Cabinet with Original Patina

Chinese Lattice Cabinet with Original Patina

Located in Chicago, IL

Chinese furniture is known for its practicality, beauty, and sturdy construction.

Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Cabinets

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Pair of Antique Chinese Bedside Cabinets
Pair of Antique Chinese Bedside Cabinets

Pair of Antique Chinese Bedside Cabinets

Located in Kastrup, DK

Pair of antique Chinese bedside cabinets with two doors. Elm with original ocher yellow lacquer with great distressed patina.

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Chinese Qing Cabinets

Materials

Elm

Nice Chinoiserie Chinese late 19th century cabinet
Nice Chinoiserie Chinese late 19th century cabinet

Nice Chinoiserie Chinese late 19th century cabinet

Located in Palm Springs, CA

A pretty late 19th century Chinese cabinet currently being used as a bar or storage cabinet.

Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Cabinets

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Red Lacquered Low Chest
Red Lacquered Low Chest

Red Lacquered Low Chest

Located in Chicago, IL

A 19th century Chinese red lacquered elmwood chest with four drawers and two bi-folding doors with brass hardware.

Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Cabinets

Exquisite Quality Oriental Vintage Hand Painted & Lacquered Sideboard Drawers
Exquisite Quality Oriental Vintage Hand Painted & Lacquered Sideboard Drawers

Exquisite Quality Oriental Vintage Hand Painted & Lacquered Sideboard Drawers

Located in West Sussex, Pulborough

We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely vintage beautifully decorated hand painted and lacquered Oriental sideboard with drawers A very good looking and well made piece, it...

Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

Red Lacquer Sideboard
Red Lacquer Sideboard

Red Lacquer Sideboard

Located in Greenwich, CT

A simple and elegant red lacquer sideboard with three drawers on top of a pair of bifold doors, brass fitting. beautiful color, form and lines. View our website at: www.greenwichorie...

Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Sideboards

Mid-Century Chinoiserie Lacquer Sideboard or Buffet
Mid-Century Chinoiserie Lacquer Sideboard or Buffet

Mid-Century Chinoiserie Lacquer Sideboard or Buffet

Located in Vancouver, British Columbia

A stunning Asian or ‘Chinoiserie’ mid-20th century lacquer sideboard featuring carved coromandel lacquer landscape scenes to the front and a variety of decorative flowers, fans etc o...

Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Buffets

Materials

Lacquer

19th Century Chinese Apothecary Chest
19th Century Chinese Apothecary Chest

19th Century Chinese Apothecary Chest

Located in Chicago, IL

This 19th century walnut chest was originally used by a Chinese pharmacy to organize and store herbal medicines.

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Chinese Qing Furniture

Materials

Brass

  • 1
  • ...
Get Updated with New Arrivals
Save "Chinese Lacquer", and we’ll notify you when there are new listings in this category.

Chinese Lacquer For Sale on 1stDibs

Find many varieties of an authentic piece of Chinese lacquer available at 1stDibs. Was constructed with extraordinary care, often using wood, lacquer and hardwood. If you’re shopping for an item from our selection of Chinese lacquer, we have 1223 options in-stock, while there are 44 modern editions to choose from as well. You’ve searched high and low for the perfect choice in our collection of Chinese lacquer — we have versions that date back to the 18th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 21st Century are available. When you’re browsing for the right object in our assortment of Chinese lacquer, those designed in Mid-Century Modern, Louis XV and Hollywood Regency styles are of considerable interest. You’ll likely find more than one option in this array of Chinese lacquer that is appealing in its simplicity, but Modshop, Drexel and Ficks Reed produced versions that are worth a look. A large piece of Chinese lacquer can prove too imposing for some spaces, so the smaller item from our selection of Chinese lacquer available at 1stDibs — each spanning 10 in width — may make for a better choice.

How Much is a Chinese Lacquer?

Prices for a piece of Chinese lacquer can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, they begin at $240 and can go as high as $346,832, while the average can fetch as much as $4,540.

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.

Questions About Chinese Lacquer
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Chinese lacquer refers to the specific lacquering styles used in Chinese wares. Chinese lacquerware has a tradition stretching back thousands of years, and vintage examples are highly sought after by collectors. On 1stDibs, you’ll find a collection of expertly-vetted Chinese lacquerware from some of the world’s top sellers.
  • 1stDibs ExpertAugust 17, 2021
    There is actually no different between lacquer and acrylic lacquer. Acrylic lacquer is a type of lacquer. Unlike nitrocellulose lacquer, acrylic lacquer goes on clear and remains clear over time.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    Chinese black lacquer is a resin sourced from the Toxicodendron vernicifluum (formerly Rhus verniciflua) tree that grows throughout East Asia. Artisans produce decorative objects entirely from the substance or use it as a finish for wood and other materials. Find a selection of Chinese black lacquer furniture on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertJune 15, 2023
    To care for Chinese lacquered furniture, wipe it with a damp cloth regularly. You can use a paste wax intended for use on lacquer finishes to restore shine, but avoid using harsh furniture polishes and cleaners on pieces. On 1stDibs, shop a range of lacquered furniture.

Read More

37 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.

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.

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.