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Chinese Medicine Chest

18th Century Chinese Medicine Chest
Located in Kastrup, DK
Medicine Chest in original black lacquer. Shanxi province, China. Dating back from the late 18th
Category

Antique Late 18th Century Chinese Qing Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Metal

18th Century Chinese Medicine Chest
18th Century Chinese Medicine Chest
H 66.93 in W 52.76 in D 25.6 in
Pair of Yellow lacquered Apothecary Medicine Chests
Located in Kastrup, DK
Pair of Chinese apothecary / pharmacy medicine chests. Made of elm wood with ivory lacquer. Each
Category

Antique Early 19th Century Chinese Qing Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Elm

Chinese Jumu Wood Apothecary Medicine Chest
Located in Kastrup, DK
Chinese elm apothecary / pharmacy medicine chest with 20 drawers. Made in Jumu wood, also called
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Art Deco Furniture

Materials

Elm

Chinese Jumu Wood Apothecary Medicine Chest
Chinese Jumu Wood Apothecary Medicine Chest
H 40.95 in W 47.64 in D 16.15 in
Apothecary Medicine Chest with 45 Drawers
Located in Kastrup, DK
A Chinese Qing Dynasty apothecary / pharmacy medicine chest. Front in original red lacquer with 45
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Chinese Qing Furniture

Materials

Wood

Apothecary Medicine Chest with 45 Drawers
Apothecary Medicine Chest with 45 Drawers
H 64.57 in W 51.97 in D 19.3 in
19th Ctr. Apothecary Medicine Chest with 45 Drawers
Located in Kastrup, DK
A Chinese Qing Dynasty apothecary / pharmacy medicine chest. Front in original red lacquer with 45
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Chinese Qing Furniture

Materials

Wood

19th Century Chinese Apothecary Medicine Cabinet with 45 Drawers
Located in Kastrup, DK
Beautiful Chinese apothecary medicine chests dating to circa 1840-1860 from the Shanxi province
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Chinese Qing Apothecary Cabinets

Materials

Metal

Recent Sales

Small Chest / Chinese Medicine Cabinet
Located in Toronto, ON
doors and the back of the chest are covered with recipes for medicine in Mandarin
Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Cupboards

Materials

Metal

Small Chest / Chinese Medicine Cabinet
Small Chest / Chinese Medicine Cabinet
H 25.5 in W 21.5 in D 8 in
Antique Traditional Chinese Medicine Cabinet Apothecary Chest of Drawers
Located in Seeshaupt, DE
***SUMMER SALE*** A Chinese doctor used this traditional medicine cabinet from Shanxi province to
Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Furniture

Materials

Elm

Chinese Medicine Chest
Located in Chicago, IL
This Chinese Medicine chest is made from elmwood and has been fully restored.
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Chinese Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Elm

Chinese Medicine Chest
Chinese Medicine Chest
H 39 in W 70 in D 19 in
Chinese Medicine Chest with Restoration
Located in Chicago, IL
This Chinese Medicine chest is made from elmwood and has been fully restored.
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Chinese Furniture

Materials

Elm

Chinese Medicine Chest with Restoration
Located in Chicago, IL
This Chinese Medicine chest is made from elmwood and has been fully restored.
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Chinese Furniture

Materials

Elm

Chinese Medicine Chest with Restoration
Located in Chicago, IL
This Chinese Medicine chest is made from elmwood and has been fully restored. It features two
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Chinese Furniture

Materials

Elm

Chinese Medicine Chest
Located in Chicago, IL
Ornately detailed piece that includes 35 unique drawers. Strong contrasting colors make this a stand out piece for your home or office.
Category

Antique 19th Century Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Chinese Medicine Chest
Chinese Medicine Chest
H 46 in W 32 in D 17 in
Chinese Medicine Chest with 11 Drawers
Located in Chicago, IL
This personal medicine chest is from Zhejiang, China and is made from reclaimed cypress wood. The
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Cypress

Chinese Medicine Chest With 36 Drawers
Located in Chicago, IL
Please contact dealer for full item description.
Category

Antique 19th Century Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Elm

Chinese Medicine Chest with Drawers
Located in Chicago, IL
Chinese doctors used chests like this to store medicinal herbs, extracts, and powdered minerals
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Chinese Apothecary Cabinets

Materials

Brass

Chinese Medicine Chest with Drawers
Chinese Medicine Chest with Drawers
H 64 in W 45.75 in D 19 in
Chinese Medicine Chest with Original Labels
Located in Chicago, IL
Category

Antique 19th Century Apothecary Cabinets

20th Century, Pair of Chinese Medicine Chests
Located in Chicago, IL
Traditional Chinese medicine requires the use of hundreds of herbs, minerals, and liquid extracts
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Bookcases

Materials

Elm

19th Century Chinese Red Medicine Chest
Located in San Marino, CA
A 19th Century Chinese red medicine chest, with five rows of three drawers that have dividers to
Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Qing Furniture

Materials

Poplar

19th Century Chinese Red Medicine Chest
19th Century Chinese Red Medicine Chest
H 34.5 in W 19 in D 13.75 in
Apothecary Chest
Located in Chicago, IL
This Chinese medicine chest is from Hebei, China and is made from elmwood, circa 19th century. It
Category

Antique 19th Century Apothecary Cabinets

Materials

Elm

Apothecary Chest
Apothecary Chest
H 30 in W 32 in D 17 in
Chinese Apothecary Medicine Chest with 28 Drawers
Located in Kastrup, DK
Chinese apothecary / pharmacy medicine chest with 28 drawers in black / burgundy lacquer. From
Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Qing Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

19th Century Apothecary Medicine Chest with 24 Drawers
Located in Kastrup, DK
Chinese apothecary / pharmacy medicine chest with 24 drawers. Linden wood (also called lime tree
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Chinese Qing Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Chinese Apothecary Medicine Chest with 39 Drawers
Located in Kastrup, DK
Chinese elm apothecary / pharmacy medicine chest with 39 drawers. From Suzhou, China, 1860-1880.
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Chinese Qing Apothecary Cabinets

Materials

Elm

Medicine Chest with 12 drawers
Located in Chicago, IL
Painted medicine chest oriniating from Beijing. All original paint. Interior drawer dividers.
Category

20th Century Chinese Apothecary Cabinets

Medicine Chest with 12 drawers
Medicine Chest with 12 drawers
H 48 in W 35 in D 17.75 in
Medicine Chest with 12 Drawers
Located in Chicago, IL
calligraphy indicating the contents of each, helping keep the herbs and spices organized. Painted medicine
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Chinese Apothecary Cabinets

Materials

Elm

Medicine Chest with 12 Drawers
Medicine Chest with 12 Drawers
H 48 in W 35 in D 17.75 in
Antique 28 Drawer Chinese Elm Apothecary Chest Medicine Cabinet Console Filing
Located in Dayton, OH
Chinese apothecary, pharmacy or medicine chest, circa 19th century. Made from lacquered elm with
Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Chippendale Apothecary Cabinets

Materials

Elm, Lacquer

Apothecary Medicine Chest with 56 Drawers
Located in Kastrup, DK
A Chinese Qing Dynasty apothecary / pharmacy medicine chest in original red lacquer. 56 drawers
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Chinese Qing Furniture

Materials

Metal

Apothecary Medicine Chest with 56 Drawers
Apothecary Medicine Chest with 56 Drawers
H 63.78 in W 52.76 in D 22.45 in
Pair of Qing Dynasty Medicine Chests
Located in Chicago, IL
This handsome pair of Qing dynasty medicine chests are from Shanxi, China, and made from elmwood
Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Qing Apothecary Cabinets

Materials

Elm

Vintage Chinese Medicine Apothecary Wood 15 Drawer Herbal Cabinet Chest
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Chinese Medicine Apothecary Wood 15 Drawer Herbal Cabinet Chest. Item features brass
Category

Late 20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Cabinets

Materials

Brass

20th Century Chinese Elm 14 Drawer Apothecary Herb Medicine Chest Cabinet
Located in Dayton, OH
"20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie apothecary herb or medicine chest. Made of Elm featuring fourteen
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Apothecary Cabinets

Materials

Soapstone

Antique Chinese 18 Drawer Medicine Apothecary Herb Cabinet
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Chinese 18 Drawer Apothecary Medicine Herb Chest This beautiful multi-drawer apothecary
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Rustic Apothecary Cabinets

Materials

Bronze

Mid-19th Century Chinese Apothecary Medicine Cabinet with 25 Drawers
Located in Kastrup, DK
Beautiful Chinese apothecary medicine chests dating to circa 1840-1860, China with original dark
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Chinese Qing Apothecary Cabinets

Materials

Wood

Apothecary Chest
Located in Yonkers, NY
Chinese Apothecary / Medicine Chest with 42 Small Pulls and 3 Medium Pulls and Calligraphy Design
Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Apothecary Cabinets

Apothecary Chest
Apothecary Chest
H 45 in W 35 in D 22.5 in
19th Century Medicine Cabinet with 15 Drawers
Located in Chicago, IL
This beautiful 19th Century medicine cabinet is made from elm wood and has 15 drawers. Chinese
Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Apothecary Cabinets

Materials

Elm

Pair of Chinese Apothecary 'Pharmacy' Medicine Chest
Located in Kastrup, DK
Pair of Chinese apothecary / pharmacy medicine chests, each having 24 drawers with Chinese script
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Chinese Qing Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Iron

Mid 19th Century Chinese Apothecary Medicine Chest with 51 Drawers
Located in Kastrup, DK
script for herbs, minerals and natural remedies. In Chinese medicine the doctor also created and
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Chinese Qing Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Elm

19th Century Apothecary Medicine Chest with 24 Drawers
Located in Kastrup, DK
Chinese apothecary / pharmacy medicine chest with 24 drawers. Linden wood (also called lime tree
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Chinese Qing Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

19th Century Black Lacquered Medicine Chests with 31 Drawers
Located in Chicago, IL
This impressive 19th Century black lacquered medicine chest is from the province of Shanxi, China
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Chinese Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Elm

Antique Chinese Armoire, 19th Century Medicine Cabinet, Apothecary Chest
Located in Chicago, IL
This 19th-century chest was originally used by a Chinese pharmacy to organize and store herbal
Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture

Materials

Wood

19th Century Laohuali Qing Dynasty Chinese Traveling Medicine Chest
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Beautiful antique apothecary or medicine chest traditionally used to store household medicinal
Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Apothecary Cabinets

Materials

Hardwood

19th Century Chinese Apothecary Medicine Chests with 54 Drawers
Located in Kastrup, DK
Beautiful Chinese apothecary medicine chests dating to circa 1840-1860 from the Shanxi province
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Chinese Qing Apothecary Cabinets

Materials

Wood

Black Lacquered Art Deco Chest
Located in Kastrup, DK
A Chinese Art Deco apothecary / pharmacy medicine chest with 24 drawers. Crafted in black lacquered
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Black Lacquered Art Deco Chest
Black Lacquered Art Deco Chest
H 36.23 in W 72.84 in D 22.45 in
Personal Medicine Chest on Metal Base
Located in Chicago, IL
This personal medicine chest with is from Japan and is made from paulowina wood. The piece has been
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Chinese Apothecary Cabinets

Materials

Metal

Personal Medicine Chest on Metal Base
Personal Medicine Chest on Metal Base
H 40.25 in W 41 in D 8.75 in
Mid-19th Century Chinese Apothecary Medicine Cabinet with 28 Drawers
Located in Kastrup, DK
Beautiful Chinese apothecary medicine chest dating to circa 1820-1840 from the Shanxi province
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Chinese Qing Apothecary Cabinets

Materials

Wood

Chinese Mid-19th Century Apothecary Chest with 42 Drawers
Located in Kastrup, DK
Chinese apothecary / pharmacy medicine chest with 42 drawers. Original dark reddish brown lacquer
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Chinese Qing Apothecary Cabinets

Materials

Wood

Chinese Yellow Lacquer Apothecary Cabinet, 52 Drawers
Located in Kastrup, DK
Chinese apothecary / pharmacy medicine chest with 52 drawers. These were used to store and organise
Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Qing Apothecary Cabinets

Materials

Iron

19th Century Chinese Medicine Chest
Located in Salisbury, GB
19th century Chinese medicine chest, the base consisting of multiple drawers and a four door glazed
Category

Antique 19th Century Cabinets

19th Century Chinese Medicine Chest
19th Century Chinese Medicine Chest
H 75.2 in W 40.56 in D 21.66 in
Reduced Pair of Chinese Medicine Chests
Located in Scarsdale, NY
Chinese Character painted on Black Lacquer Chests.
Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Reduced Pair of Chinese Medicine Chests
Reduced Pair of Chinese Medicine Chests
H 27.25 in W 21.8 in D 20 in
Discounted Chinese Medicine Cabinet
Located in Scarsdale, NY
Chinese medicine Chest. Black Laquer. Gorgeous gold drawers. 33 Drawers. Reduced from $6400
Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Cabinets

Materials

Gold

Shandong Medicine Chest
Located in San Francisco, CA
Stunning red lacquer apothecary chest was originally used by a traditional medicine shop selling
Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Furniture

Materials

Elm

Shandong Medicine Chest
Shandong Medicine Chest
H 44.25 in W 30.5 in D 17.75 in
Antique Chinese Miniature Nanwood Medicine Chest
Located in Denver, CO
18th century miniature nanwood medicine chest with 7 drawers of variable sizes. Simple hardware
Category

Antique 18th Century and Earlier Furniture

Medicine Chest
Located in New York, NY
Korean medicine chest with Chinese inscriptions for herbal medicine
Category

Antique 19th Century Korean Apothecary Cabinets

Materials

Elm

Medicine Chest
Medicine Chest
H 48 in W 45 in D 14 in
19th Century Medicine Chest
Located in San Francisco, CA
Chinese 19th Century Medicine Chest
Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Cabinets

19th Century Medicine Chest
19th Century Medicine Chest
H 49.5 in W 38 in D 20 in
Chinese Apothecary Chests Medicine Cabinets Elm Haberdashery Qing Dynasty, 1871
Located in Longdon, Tewkesbury
A stunning pair of antique middle Qing dynasty elm apothecary medicine chests dating to circa 1871
Category

Antique 1870s Chinese Chinese Export Apothecary Cabinets

Materials

Elm

Haberdashery Apothecary Chests Medicine Cabinets Elm Qing Dynasty, 1871
Located in Longdon, Tewkesbury
A stunning pair of antique middle Qing dynasty elm apothecary medicine chests dating to circa 1871
Category

Antique 1870s Chinese Qing Apothecary Cabinets

Materials

Elm

Pair of Apothecary Chests Medicine Cabinets Elm Haberdashery Qing Dynasty, 1871
Located in Longdon, Tewkesbury
A stunning pair of antique middle Qing dynasty elm apothecary medicine chests dating to circa 1871
Category

Antique 1870s Chinese Chinese Export Apothecary Cabinets

Materials

Elm

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Late Qing Dynasty Elmwood and Brass Cabinet with Drawers and Doors
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Late Qing Dynasty period elm wood cabinet from the early 20th century, with brass medallion, teardrop pulls, two drawers and two doors on horse hoof feet. Created in China ...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Cabinets

Materials

Brass

Japanese Antique Drawer / Tansu Peddler Chest of drawers / 1868-1912s Wabi-Sabi
Located in Iwate-gun Shizukuishi-cho, Iwate Prefecture
This is an old Japanese drawer. I think it is a called "Peddler's Tansu", which is used by merchants to carry goods far away. "Peddler" refers to carrying and retailing products wi...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Iron

Dining Chairs by Henning Kjærnulf, Model Razoblade, Denmark, Oak
By Henning Kjærnulf
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Set of striking dining chairs by Henning Kjærnulf, made of oak and honey coloured lambskin. Refreshing design with bold Baroque coming together nicely with Mid-Century Modernism. M...
Category

2010s Danish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Oak

Sunday Daybed Oak and Boucle
Located in Plymouth, GB
Part of the Sunday collection exclusive to Fosfeen, and designed by Founder Oliver A-J, the Sunday Day Bed was designed and handcrafted in house with the finest Oak and Bouclé uphols...
Category

2010s British Mid-Century Modern Daybeds

Materials

Bouclé, Oak

Sunday Daybed Oak and Boucle
Sunday Daybed Oak and Boucle
H 19.69 in W 70.87 in D 27.56 in
Organic Modern Small Table Lamp Natural Wood Handmade Ivory Fluted Shade
By Isabel Moncada
Located in San Antonio, TX
PATA DE ELEFANTE SMALL table lamp was designed for the Atomic collection by Mexican artist Isabel Moncada. Named Pata de Elefante –Elephant's Foot– for the prominent shape at its ba...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Fiberglass, Linen, Fabric, Wood

New Black Wrought Iron Curule Bench with Cushion, Savonarola, Throne
Located in Miami, FL
New black wrought iron curule bench with cushion, Savonarola, Throne. Cushion included.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary European Neoclassical Benches

Materials

Iron

Sasco Semi-Flush Mount Brass Light Fixture, Custom Finishes
Located in Pound Ridge, NY
The Sasco is a versatile custom-made solid brass and glass globe light fixture, which can be mounted on the ceiling or wall. Shown here in our factory brass, an uneven unfinished br...
Category

2010s American Flush Mount

Materials

Brass

Japanese Antique Drawer Storage 1880s-1900s Shelf Chest Drawers Wabi-Sabi
Located in Chiba, Chiba
This is an old Japanese drawer storage shelf. This was made during the Meiji period. All the shelves are made from solid chestnut wood. After more than 100 years, it has become more ...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Furniture

Materials

Wood

Japanese Antique Chests of Drawers 1800s-1860s/Safe Storage Cabinet Wabisabi
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
It is an old Japanese drawer. It is an item from the Edo period (1800s-1860s). It has a keyed door so that it can also be used as a safe. Both metal fittings are attached with very ...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Edo Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Cedar

Ming Style Chinese Scholar's Cabinet
Located in Somis, CA
A beautiful, Ming dynasty style scholar's cabinet. The doors and side panels are all solid single boards set with mitered, tenon and mortise construction. Two exterior and interior d...
Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Ming Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Ming Style Chinese Scholar's Cabinet
Ming Style Chinese Scholar's Cabinet
H 68.75 in W 45 in D 22.25 in
Table in Solid Oak, Charles Dudouyt, 1940s
By Charles Dudouyt
Located in Kaštel Sućurac, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
Immerse yourself in the timeless allure of French Art Deco design with this exceptional dining table crafted by the renowned Charles Dudouyt. This table is a true masterpiece, charac...
Category

Vintage 1940s French Art Deco Dining Room Tables

Materials

Elm

Table in Solid Oak, Charles Dudouyt, 1940s
Table in Solid Oak, Charles Dudouyt, 1940s
H 29.73 in W 51.19 in D 34.65 in
Japanese Antique Choba Tansu (Merchant Chest) Meiji Era
Located in Soquel, CA
Japanese Antique Choba Tansu (Merchant Chest) Meiji Era Antique Choba - Tansu (merchant's chest) from the Tohoku area of Northern Japan circa 1868-1912. Made with Kiri (Paulownia) wo...
Category

Antique 1860s Japanese Meiji Furniture

Materials

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Mid-19th Century Red Lacquered Sideboard from Shanxi, China
Located in Kastrup, DK
Chinese 19th century sideboard cabinet with orginal lacquer. Front and top with deep dark red lacquer, sides with black lacquer. Features double bi-fold doors revealing a storage...
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Chinese Qing Sideboards

Materials

Brass

Chinese Qing Dynasty Cabinet with Original Décor
Located in Kastrup, DK
Rare Qing dynasty cabinet with original well preserved decorations. Red base lacquer with polychrome decorations, black lacquer on the sides. Top section with pair of panel doors la...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Chinese Qing Cabinets

Materials

Elm

Japanese Tansu Storage Cabinet with Sliding Doors, Meiji Period, 19th Century
Located in Savannah, GA
Large Two Section Japanese Kitchen Tansu, Late 19th Century. Interior bottom section has been modified to accommodate a TV. Part of the back bottom section has been removed for the o...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Cabinets

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Elm

Antique Korean Elm Brass Bound Bandaji Nong Tansu Scholars Chest Wedding Cabinet
Located in Dayton, OH
Fine Mid 19th century Korean Tansu Nong Bandaji tallboy chest. Made from Zelkova Elm frame with brass accents. Acquired from Moby Dicks Maritime Antiques in the 1970s. The Korean ...
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Antique Mid-19th Century Korean Chinoiserie Cabinets

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Brass

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Chinese Medicine Chest For Sale on 1stDibs

At 1stDibs, there are many versions of the ideal Chinese medicine chest for your home. Each Chinese medicine chest for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using wood, hardwood and elm. If you’re shopping for a Chinese medicine chest, we have 28 options in-stock, while there are 1 modern editions to choose from as well. You’ve searched high and low for the perfect Chinese medicine chest — we have versions that date back to the 18th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 21st Century are available. Each Chinese medicine chest bearing Art Deco hallmarks is very popular.

How Much is a Chinese Medicine Chest?

Prices for a Chinese medicine chest start at $2,400 and top out at $28,339 with the average selling for $4,250.

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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