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Chinoiserie Black Secretary

Fine Black Lacquer Chinoiserie Secretary
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A black lacquer chinoiserie secretary in two parts. The upper cabinet with two doors that open to
Category

20th Century Chinoiserie Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Fine Black Lacquer Chinoiserie Secretary
Fine Black Lacquer Chinoiserie Secretary
$4,600
H 88 in W 39 in D 18 in
19th Century English Black Lacquered Chinoiserie Secretary
Located in Dallas, TX
Lovely 19th century English black lacquered Chinoiserie secretary. Beautiful painted Asian designs
Category

Antique 19th Century English Chinoiserie Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Burton-Ching Georgian Black & Gold Chinoiserie Secretary Desk
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Burton-Ching Georgian Black & Gold Chinoiserie Secretary Desk
Category

2010s American Chinoiserie Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Burton-Ching Georgian Black & Gold Chinoiserie Secretary Desk
Burton-Ching Georgian Black & Gold Chinoiserie Secretary Desk
$11,960 Sale Price
20% Off
H 90.5 in W 40.5 in D 24 in
Black Lacquer Hand Painted Chinoiserie Black Lacquer Secretary Writing Desk
By Edward Wormley, James Mont
Located in Chattanooga, TN
This incomparable slant-front chinoiserie black lacquer secretary desk depicts a serene
Category

Vintage 1970s American Chinoiserie Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Black Painted Chinoiserie Drop Front Secretary Writing Desk
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique chinoiserie painted writing desk with red interior. early-19th century
Category

Antique 19th Century Chinoiserie Furniture

Materials

Wood

Midcentury French Style Black Lacquer Chinoiserie Secretary Desk / Cabinet
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a midcentury French style hand painted chinoiserie secretary with a unique bombe form base
Category

Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Secretaires

Materials

Leather, Glass, Lacquer

Queen Anne Style Burton-Ching Black Chinoiserie Secretary Desk Bookcase
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Queen Anne Style Burton-Ching Black Chinoiserie Secretary Desk Bookcase
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Chinoiserie Secretaires

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Queen Anne Style Burton-Ching Black Chinoiserie Secretary Desk Bookcase
Queen Anne Style Burton-Ching Black Chinoiserie Secretary Desk Bookcase
$11,960 Sale Price
20% Off
H 98.5 in W 36.5 in D 21.5 in
Georgian Chinoiserie Black Lacquered Hand-Painted Drop Front Secretary Desk
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Georgian Hollywood Regency Chinoiserie style bureau with drop front secretary desk
Category

Vintage 1980s American Chinoiserie Bookcases

Materials

Brass

Chinoiserie Black Lacquered Drop Front Secretary Desk With Bookcase Hutch
By Jasper Furniture Company
Located in Elkhart, IN
A gorgeous Georgian Chinoiserie style bureau with drop front secretary desk and bookcase hutch top
Category

Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Secretaires

Materials

Brass

George II Style Black & Gold Lacquer Chinoiserie Secretary Desk Bookcase
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
George II Style Black & Gold Lacquer Chinoiserie Secretary Desk Bookcase.
Category

2010s American Chinoiserie Secretaires

Materials

Wood, Giltwood, Lacquer

George II Style Black & Gold Lacquer Chinoiserie Secretary Desk Bookcase
George II Style Black & Gold Lacquer Chinoiserie Secretary Desk Bookcase
$13,200 Sale Price
20% Off
H 102 in W 45 in D 23 in
English 19th Century Black and Gold Secretary Bookcase with Chinoiserie Décor
Located in Atlanta, GA
An English black lacquer secretary bookcase from the 19th century, with glass doors, drop-front
Category

Antique 19th Century English Chinoiserie Secretaires

Materials

Glass, Wood

Recent Sales

Black Lacquered Italian Chinoiserie Petite Secretary
By Fornasetti, Baker Furniture Company
Located in Houston, TX
A beautiful black lacquered Italian chinoiserie secretary. Intricately painted detail of Chinese
Category

20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Secretaires

French Lacquered Chinoiserie Secretary
Located in Locust Valley, NY
French lacquered chinoiserie secretary with bronze mountings.
Category

20th Century Chinoiserie Secretaires

Materials

Lacquer

French Lacquered Chinoiserie Secretary
French Lacquered Chinoiserie Secretary
H 53 in W 31 in D 14.25 in
Vintage English Red and Black Chinoiserie Decorated Secretary
Located in Dallas, TX
Very fine vintage English red and black Chinoiserie decorated secretary. Beautiful hand painted
Category

20th Century English Chinoiserie Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Black Laquered Asian Chinoiserie Secretary Secretaire Desk and Chair
Located in West Hartford, CT
Black and gold chinoiserie vintage Asian secretary desk that comes with matching chair. Spectacular
Category

Vintage 1970s Chinese Chinoiserie Secretaires

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

19th Century English Chinoiserie Secretary
Located in Dallas, TX
Fantastic 19th century English black lacquered chinoiserie five-drawer secretary. Having wonderful
Category

Antique 19th Century English Chinoiserie Secretaires

Chinoiserie Black Lacquered Breakfront Sideboard China Cabinet Secretary
By Union National
Located in West Hartford, CT
Elegant and sought after two piece chinoiserie black lacquered breakfront by Union National, NY
Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Sideboards

Materials

Glass, Wood, Lacquer

Chinoiserie Black Lacquered Drop Front Secretary Desk With Bookcase Hutch
By Jasper Furniture Company
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Georgian Chinoiserie style bureau with drop front secretary desk and lighted bookcase
Category

Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Desks

Materials

Brass

Maitland Smith Black Lacquer & Hermes Orange Interior Chinoiserie Secretary Desk
By Maitland Smith
Located in West Hartford, CT
Maitland Smith 20th Century black lacquer two-piece secretary with coveted Hermes orange interior
Category

Vintage 1980s Chinoiserie Secretaires

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Rose Tarlow Queen Anne Chinoiserie Secretary
By Rose Tarlow
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rose Tarlow Melrose House Queen Anne Chinoiserie Secretary. A stunning, hand made, hand painted
Category

20th Century Queen Anne Secretaires

Materials

Lacquer

English Chinoiserie / Georgian Style Red and Black Secretary Desk
Located in Queens, NY
English Georgian-style contemporary black and red faux lacquer Chinoiserie two-piece secretary desk
Category

20th Century Georgian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Fine and Rare 18th C Georgian Black Lacquered and Chinoiserie Secretary
Located in Dallas, TX
A fine and rare 18th century Georgian black lacquered and Chinoiserie decorated elaborate secretary.
Category

Antique Late 18th Century English Georgian Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Fine 18th Century English Chinoiserie Decorated Secretary
Located in Dallas, TX
A fine late 18th century English George 11 black lacquered and Chinoiserie decorated secretary. Red
Category

Antique Late 18th Century English George III Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Rose Tarlow Melrose House Queen Anne Black & Red Chinoiserie Secretary Desk
By Rose Tarlow
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Rose Tarlow Melrose House Queen Anne Black & Red Chinoiserie Secretary Desk. It features the most
Category

1990s American Queen Anne Secretaires

Materials

Giltwood, Lacquer

Early 19th Century One Of A KInd Chinoiserie Secretary with Heavy Bronze Mounts
Located in Manhasset, NY
A spectacular one of a kind Continental walnut secretary bookcase in the chinoiserie taste, late
Category

Antique Early 19th Century English Chinoiserie Secretaires

Chinese Hand Painted/Black Lacquered and Brass Secretary Desk
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Lacquered and Brass Secretary Desk. Featuring intricate hand-painted scenes on a rich black lacquer finish
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Chinoiserie Motif Hand Painted Drexel Black Lacquer Console Table with Drawer
By James Mont, Drexel, Henredon
Located in Chattanooga, TN
pairing this piece with our Maddox black lacquer Chinoiserie secretary desk (sold separately). Drexel logo
Category

Vintage 1970s American Chinoiserie Console Tables

Materials

Mahogany, Lacquer, Paint

Baker Chinoiserie Ebony Secretary Chippendale Style, 1950s
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in Hamburg, PA
A Baker two-piece chinoiserie black secretary in the Chippendale Style.
Category

Vintage 1950s American Chinoiserie Secretaires

Materials

Lacquer, Wood

Black Lacquer Chinoiserie Secretary Bookcase
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Distinctive secretary bookcase made in the Chinese taste featuring a decorative gilt faux bamboo
Category

20th Century American Chinoiserie Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Chinoiserie Carved Black Lacquer Secretary Desk
Located in Manhasset, NY
Chinoiserie carved black lacquer secretary desk having a black lacquer and gilt slant top and
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Lovely Chinoiserie Style Secretary
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Black and gold hand-painted chinoiserie style secretary having aged paned mirror front on single
Category

Vintage 1950s American Chinoiserie Secretaires

Lovely Chinoiserie Style Secretary
Lovely Chinoiserie Style Secretary
H 74 in W 24 in D 17.5 in
Chinoiserie Style Carved Black Lacquer Secretary Desk, Bookcase, Cabinet
Located in Plainview, NY
A beautiful Chinoiserie style carved black lacquer secretary desk having a black lacquer and gilt
Category

20th Century Chinoiserie Cabinets

Materials

Metal

Chinoiserie Black and Gold Hand Painted Secretary Desk
Located in West Hartford, CT
Magnificent Chinoiserie decorated black secretary desk with exquisite hand painted landscape
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Black Lacquer Hand Painted Chinoiserie Black Lacquer Secretary Writing Desk
By James Mont, Edward Wormley
Located in Chattanooga, TN
This incomparable slant-front chinoiserie black lacquer secretary desk depicts a serene
Category

Vintage 1970s American Chinoiserie Secretaires

Materials

Brass

20th Century Chinoiserie Secretary Bookcase
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
For sale is a good quality chinoiserie 20th century Bureau bookcase in good condition with detailed
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Bookcases

English Georgian Black Lacquer with Chinoiserie Secretary
Located in San Francisco, CA
English Georgian black lacquer and chinoiserie decorated slant front secretary cabinet on bracket
Category

Antique Mid-18th Century English George III Secretaires

Materials

Oak

Black and Gold Chinoiserie Directoire Secretary Desk and Chair
Located in West Hartford, CT
Elegant chinoiserie secretary desk with chair. Great scale to the desk, not too big and will fit
Category

Vintage 1970s American Chinoiserie Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Narrow Raised Lacquer Black Chinoiserie Slatfront Secretary Desk circa 1950
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
raised Chinoiserie scenery of various wise elders and townspeople doing their daily business. The desk is
Category

Vintage 1950s Unknown Chinoiserie Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

Chinoiserie Hand-Painted English Secretary
Located in Tarrytown, NY
1930's hand-painted chinoiserie English Secretary out of a Park Avenue Estate in New York City
Category

Vintage 1930s English Secretaires

English Chinoiserie Black and Gold Tall Secretary / Slant Front Desk
Located in Tarry Town, NY
English hand decorated and painted Japanned secretary from the 1930s with black , red and gold
Category

Vintage 1930s English Chinoiserie Secretaires

Materials

Gold, Brass

Asian Chinoiserie Black Lacquer and Gold Secretary Desk Hand Painted Secretaire
Located in West Hartford, CT
Stunning, one of a kind, vintage Asian black and gold lacquer chinoiserie secretary desk. What
Category

Vintage 1920s Chinese Chinoiserie Secretaires

Materials

Wood

19th Century Black Lacquered Secretary with Raised Chinoiserie Design
Located in Dallas, TX
Lovely 19th century Italian black lacquered secretary. Beautifully done raised chinoiserie design
Category

Antique Early 19th Century Italian Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Late 20th Century Vintage Asian Black Lacquered Gilt Chinoiserie Secretary Desk
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A spectacular vintage Asian secretary desk. A chic black lacquered cabinet with hand painted gilt
Category

Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Desks

Materials

Metal

English Chinoiserie 1920s Black and Gold Tall Secretary with Slant Front Desk
Located in Atlanta, GA
An English tall Japanned secretary from the early 20th century with black and gold chinoiserie
Category

Early 20th Century English Chinoiserie Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Chinoiserie Decorated Ebonized, Gilt, & Red Lacquered Secretary Desk
Located in Big Flats, NY
A Chinoiserie decorated secretary offers black lacquered wood construction with upper having a
Category

20th Century Chinoiserie Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Rococo Chinoiserie Secretary, Swedish, 18th Century, Origin Sweden, circa 1750
Located in New York, NY
Rococo 18th century secretary in two parts, 19th century chinoiserie painting with the original
Category

Antique 18th Century Swedish Rococo Secretaires

Materials

Paint

George III Black Chinoiserie Secretary
Located in Stamford, CT
Offered here is a true George III black lacquer chinoiserie three drawer secretary with bun feet
Category

Antique 18th Century and Earlier Secretaires

Baker 21st Century Contemporary Black Lacquer Chinoiserie Secretary
Located in Chicago, IL
Contemporary black lacquer chinoiserie Queen Anne style secretary by Baker has double doors, slant
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Chinoiserie Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Italian Chinoiserie Secretary
Located in Dallas, TX
Large black and gold chinoiserie secretary created for East and Orient Company
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Secretaires

Italian Chinoiserie Secretary
Italian Chinoiserie Secretary
H 94.5 in W 49 in D 23 in
Black Lacquered Chinoiserie Secretary Form Cabinet
Located in Woodbury, CT
interior also decorated in the chinoiserie manner. The lower section, does not have a secretary drawer
Category

Early 20th Century British Regency Revival Cabinets

Louis XV Style Chinoiserie Secretary, 1940
Located in Southampton, NY
Louis XV French style chinoiserie cabinet- could be utilized as a secretary, bar or bookcase
Category

Vintage 1940s French Chinoiserie Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Petite Secretary
Located in Dallas, TX
Early 20th century Chinoiserie petite secretary of ebonized wood with gold detail featuring birds
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Secretaires

English Style Chinoiserie Secretary
Located in Fairhope, AL
Red, gold and black hand-painted chinoiserie lacquered secretary or bookcase with a fitted interior
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Secretaires

English Style Chinoiserie Secretary
English Style Chinoiserie Secretary
H 82 in W 39 in D 21.5 in
Drexel Heritage Et Cetera Asian Chinoiserie Black Lacquer Secretary Desk
By Drexel
Located in Charlotte, NC
An Asian Chinoiserie style secretary desk by Drexel Heritage, from their Et Cetera Collection
Category

Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern "Chinoiserie" Style Secretary, circa 1950s
Located in Hialeah, FL
A Mid-Century Modern Chinese style secretary, circa 1950s. Highly ornate, hand-painted details.
Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Secretaires

Mid 20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Black Lacquer Secretary Desk
Located in Charlotte, NC
An Asian Chinoiserie style secretary desk, unbranded, similar in quality to Drexel. Solid wood with
Category

Mid-20th Century American Chippendale Secretaires

Materials

Brass

20th Century English Bamboo and Chinoiserie Secretary
Located in Atlanta, GA
20th century English bamboo and chinoiserie secretary.
Category

20th Century English Secretaires

Materials

Bamboo

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Louis XV Style Minton Spidell Drop-Front Hand Painted Black Secretary Cabinet
By Minton-Spidell
Located in Plainview, NY
an exquisite vintage Louis XV style Minton-Spidell secretary desk. The secretary desk embodies timeless elegance and sophisticated craftsmanship. The upper portion features two doors...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary North American Louis XV Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Louis XVI Style Sofa
By La Maison London
Located in London, Park Royal
Louis XVI style canape made by La Maison London. Hand carved in solid wood, painted in an ecru white with gold highlights. Upholstered in a fabric of your choice Please note: 11m of...
Category

2010s British Louis XVI Sofas

Materials

Giltwood

Louis XVI Style Sofa
Louis XVI Style Sofa
$10,279
H 40 in W 45 in D 25 in
Pair of Murano Glass Wall Sconces, Art Deco Style, in Stock
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of Murano glass wall sconces, in stock Fume color and horizontal striation texture Black opaline finials and brass accents Art Deco inspired design. Gives off warm beams of lig...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Deco Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Brass

Pair of Murano Glass Wall Sconces, Art Deco Style, in Stock
Pair of Murano Glass Wall Sconces, Art Deco Style, in Stock
$2,800 / set
H 17.5 in W 10.5 in D 6.5 in
French Pair of Nightstands Side Cabinets Bedside Tables Brutalist Style, 2022
Located in Labrit, Landes
Pair of oak nightstands "Pyrénées" signed by Sébastien Lamarre. This french side cabinets were made by Sébastien Lamarre for Maison Marie Anne. The creator chose for the Pyrénées mo...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Brutalist Night Stands

Materials

Oak

Louis XVI Style Bergère
Located in Austin, TX
Single bergère armchair from France in the Louis XVI style. This piece has a hand-carved beech wood frame with original ‘trianon’ gray paint and patina. It is upholstered in a tan ve...
Category

Vintage 1920s French Louis XVI Bergere Chairs

Materials

Velvet, Beech

Louis XVI Style Bergère
Louis XVI Style Bergère
$4,150
H 35.5 in W 32 in D 28 in
Steinway & Sons Concert Grand Piano
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
This extraordinary concert grand piano with 88 keys was made by the prestigious firm Steinway & Sons around 1894. The case's decoration was entrusted to the company Cuel & Cie and mo...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XV Musical Instruments

Materials

Wood, Giltwood

Steinway & Sons Concert Grand Piano
Steinway & Sons Concert Grand Piano
$1,460,824
H 42.92 in W 108.27 in D 61.03 in
Asian 4 Paneled Room Screen Divider
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Amazing Asian 4 paneled screen. Features hand painted depictions of herons wading in the brush. Additional information: Material: Brass, wood Color: Black, gold, green, white S...
Category

Vintage 1980s Chinoiserie Screens and Room Dividers

Materials

Wood

Asian 4 Paneled Room Screen Divider
Asian 4 Paneled Room Screen Divider
$495
H 35.5 in W 60 in D 1 in
Chinoiserie Teak and Burl Brass Mounted Cabinet on Stand, 1970s
Located in Harlingen, TX
This vintage 1970's Chinese campaign style cabinet on stand is finely crafted of teak and burl elm wood and embellished with etched brass mounts. This chinoiserie storage piece featu...
Category

Vintage 1970s Chinese Chinoiserie Cabinets

Materials

Brass

Chinoiserie Teak and Burl Brass Mounted Cabinet on Stand, 1970s
Chinoiserie Teak and Burl Brass Mounted Cabinet on Stand, 1970s
$960 Sale Price
36% Off
H 38 in W 28.5 in D 20.5 in
Regency Style Red Lacquer Chinoiserie Cabinet W/ Faux Bamboo Accents
Located in Kennesaw, GA
Perfect for that powder bath! This is a red lacquer chinoiserie cabinet with gold faux bamboo accents. The cabinet opens to a single shelf. It is in very good condition and unmarked.
Category

Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Cabinets

Materials

Wood

Rosso Wall Mirror
By Specchi Veneziani
Located in Milan, IT
Venetian mirror made in the strictest Murano tradition. Assembled with crystal/gold and red elements handmade in the Murano furnaces. Wooden frame with a natural finish.
Category

2010s Italian Renaissance Wall Mirrors

Materials

Glass

Rosso Wall Mirror
$966 / item
H 31.5 in W 23.63 in D 1.97 in
Great 18 Palmette Shallow Flush Ceiling Mount, Murano
By Barovier&Toso
Located in Tavarnelle val di Pesa, Florence
Here the larger version of the successful 12 leaves compact palmette ceiling fixture. This group of shallow ceiling mount Murano chandelier was first designed for a luxury yacht low...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount

Materials

Metal

Round Mahogany Georgian Style Pedestal Table by Leighton Hall
By Leighton Hall Furniture
Located in Suwanee, GA
This is made to order round traditional mahogany foyer or dining table made in the Leighton Hall shop. It is ideal as a foyer table, breakfast table or dining table for an apartment ...
Category

2010s American Georgian Dining Room Tables

Materials

Mahogany, Satinwood

Large Bamboo Pair of Table Lamps with Brass Bases
Located in New York, NY
large bamboo pair of table lamps with brass bases. Beautiful and chic table lamps. Lovely brass bases and bamboo tops held by brass top.
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Queen Anne Chinoiserie Lacquer Pedestal Desk
Located in Bradenton, FL
19th century Queen Anne Chinoiserie black lacquer pedestal desk. Desk features three-quarter gallery top over three horizontal drawers, and doors on either side of knee-hole with int...
Category

Antique 19th Century English Chinoiserie Desks

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

English Chinoiserie Decorated Queen Anne Vanity Dressing Table
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Charming diminutive English Queen Anne style vanity dressing table featuring an Asian lacquer decorated case made in the 19th century Chinoiserie revival period of Western Europe. Th...
Category

Antique 19th Century English Chinoiserie Vanities

Materials

Brass

19th Century Chinese Pagoda Cabinet
Located in Houston, TX
A stunning and rare 19th Century English Chinese pagoda cabinets. This highly stylized hand carved mahogany cabinets features, glass shelving, pagoda gabled roofs, classic Chippendal...
Category

Antique 19th Century English Chinese Chippendale Vitrines

Materials

Glass, Mahogany

19th Century Chinese Pagoda Cabinet
19th Century Chinese Pagoda Cabinet
$187,500
H 102 in W 84.5 in D 22.5 in
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Chinoiserie Black Secretary For Sale on 1stDibs

Choose from an assortment of styles, material and more with respect to the chinoiserie black secretary you’re looking for at 1stDibs. A chinoiserie black secretary — often made from wood, lacquer and bamboo — can elevate any home. Whether you’re looking for an older or newer chinoiserie black secretary, there are earlier versions available from the 18th Century and newer variations made as recently as the 20th Century. Each chinoiserie black secretary bearing Georgian or Rococo hallmarks is very popular.

How Much is a Chinoiserie Black Secretary?

A chinoiserie black secretary can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price 1stDibs is $4,600, while the lowest priced sells for $1,200 and the highest can go for as much as $46,800.

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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