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Directoire Etagere

Pair of Directoire Style Étagères
Pair of Directoire Style Étagères

Pair of Directoire Style Étagères

$11,500 / set

H 73.5 in W 34.5 in D 15.5 in

Pair of Directoire Style Étagères

Located in New York, NY

Pair of Directoire style mahogany étagères or bookcases. Has brass pineapple finials at the top.

Category

Vintage 1960s Directoire Shelves

Materials

Mahogany

Pair of French 19th Century Directoire Style Patinated Étagères
Pair of French 19th Century Directoire Style Patinated Étagères

Pair of French 19th Century Directoire Style Patinated Étagères

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

A fine pair of French 19th century Directoire style patinated etageres. Each display shelf is

Category

Antique 19th Century French Directoire Shelves

Materials

Wood

Directoire Style Enameled Iron Étagère with Brass Embellishments
Directoire Style Enameled Iron Étagère with Brass Embellishments

Directoire Style Enameled Iron Étagère with Brass Embellishments

By William Billy Haines

Located in Hanover, MA

Custom-made, circa 1980 by a metal-smith in Boston. Directoire form étagère constructed of welded

Category

Vintage 1980s American Hollywood Regency Shelves

Materials

Brass, Iron

Napoleon III Etagere 'Japonism ALPHONSE GIROUX PARIS
Napoleon III Etagere 'Japonism ALPHONSE GIROUX PARIS

Napoleon III Etagere 'Japonism ALPHONSE GIROUX PARIS

Located in Madrid, ES

A Napoleon III Etagere 'japonism' in ormolu and grave glass Modeled as rods of bamboo mounted with

Category

Antique 19th Century French Directoire Cupboards

Materials

Bronze

Recent Sales

A French Directoire Style Etagere
A French Directoire Style Etagere

A French Directoire Style Etagere

Sold

H 109 in W 44 in D 21 in

A French Directoire Style Etagere

Located in New York, NY

A 5-tier French Directoire style etagere with lower section having enclosed sides and doors. The

Category

Vintage 1940s French Shelves

French Directoire Style Gilt Metal Mounted Étagère Shelves
French Directoire Style Gilt Metal Mounted Étagère Shelves

French Directoire Style Gilt Metal Mounted Étagère Shelves

Located in Astoria, NY

French Directoire style gilt metal mounted étagère made in the early 20th century. The piece is

Category

Early 20th Century French Directoire Shelves

Materials

Metal

Theodore Alexander Solid Mahogany Directoire Style Etagere Bookshelf Display
Theodore Alexander Solid Mahogany Directoire Style Etagere Bookshelf Display

Theodore Alexander Solid Mahogany Directoire Style Etagere Bookshelf Display

By Theodore Alexander

Located in Swedesboro, NJ

This is a Classic solid mahogany etagere display shelf made by Theodore Alexander. It features two

Category

Early 2000s Unknown Directoire Shelves

Materials

Mahogany

Pair of Chrome and Brass Etageres Directoire
Pair of Chrome and Brass Etageres Directoire

Pair of Chrome and Brass Etageres Directoire

Located in Manhasset, NY

Pair of Fine quality. French Directoire style Brass and chrome with glass etageres each with four

Category

Vintage 1960s Argentine Bookcases

Materials

Metal

Monumental Directoire Brass and Steel Jansen Style Étagère Bookshelf Display
Monumental Directoire Brass and Steel Jansen Style Étagère Bookshelf Display

Monumental Directoire Brass and Steel Jansen Style Étagère Bookshelf Display

By Maison Jansen

Located in Swedesboro, NJ

This is a superb, absolutely monumental étagère. The étagère stands an impressive 89 inches tall x

Category

Vintage 1960s French Directoire Bookcases

Materials

Brass, Steel

Pair Hollywood Regency Directoire Chrome Glass Etageres Bookcase Display Shelf
Pair Hollywood Regency Directoire Chrome Glass Etageres Bookcase Display Shelf

Pair Hollywood Regency Directoire Chrome Glass Etageres Bookcase Display Shelf

By Maison Jansen

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Pair of Clean Vintage Chrome Hollywood Regency Etageres with Four Brass Finials. Each Curio

Category

Mid-20th Century American Directoire Bookcases

Materials

Brass, Chrome

Chrome and Brass French Directoire Maison Jansen Style Etagere Shelf Display
Chrome and Brass French Directoire Maison Jansen Style Etagere Shelf Display

Chrome and Brass French Directoire Maison Jansen Style Etagere Shelf Display

Located in Swedesboro, NJ

This is a gorgeous and iconic design. The chrome and brass etagere is in good condition with normal

Category

Vintage 1980s French Directoire Shelves

Materials

Brass, Chrome

Pair Hollywood Regency Faux Bamboo Directoire Style Etageres w/ Brass Finials
Pair Hollywood Regency Faux Bamboo Directoire Style Etageres w/ Brass Finials

Pair Hollywood Regency Faux Bamboo Directoire Style Etageres w/ Brass Finials

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Fantastic matched pair of Vintage Hollywood Regency Faux Bamboo Directoire Style Etageres with

Category

Vintage 1950s American Hollywood Regency Shelves

Materials

Brass

French 19th Century Mahogany Etagere
French 19th Century Mahogany Etagere

French 19th Century Mahogany Etagere

Sold

H 26.5 in W 17.25 in D 13.63 in

French 19th Century Mahogany Etagere

Located in Baton Rouge, LA

A petite French mahogany 19th century oval etagere side table on casters. The thick upper tray is

Category

Antique 19th Century French Directoire Side Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Pair of Chrome and Brass Étagères
Pair of Chrome and Brass Étagères

Pair of Chrome and Brass Étagères

Sold

H 71.5 in W 30.5 in D 14.5 in

Pair of Chrome and Brass Étagères

Located in Dallas, TX

Glamorous pair of French Directoire style chrome and brass Midcentury étagères/shelves. Made in the

Category

Vintage 1970s Directoire Shelves

Materials

Brass, Chrome

Antique Lombardy Italian Neoclassical Painted Corner Etagere Cabinet
Antique Lombardy Italian Neoclassical Painted Corner Etagere Cabinet

Antique Lombardy Italian Neoclassical Painted Corner Etagere Cabinet

Located in LOS ANGELES, CA

Antique Lombardy Italian Neoclassical Painted Corner Etagere Cabinet

Category

Antique 19th Century Italian Directoire Cabinets

Materials

Wood

Gorgeous Brass and Steel Maison Jansen Attributed Etagere Bookshelf
Gorgeous Brass and Steel Maison Jansen Attributed Etagere Bookshelf

Gorgeous Brass and Steel Maison Jansen Attributed Etagere Bookshelf

By Maison Jansen

Located in Swedesboro, NJ

This is a gorgeous etagere or bookcase and is made up of steel and brass and meticulously detailed

Category

Vintage 1980s Italian Directoire Bookcases

Materials

Brass, Steel

French Direcoire Style Chrome and Brass Midcentury Étagère Shelf, circa 1970
French Direcoire Style Chrome and Brass Midcentury Étagère Shelf, circa 1970

French Direcoire Style Chrome and Brass Midcentury Étagère Shelf, circa 1970

Located in Swedesboro, NJ

This is a beautiful chrome and brass étagère in the Directoire style. The étagère is in good

Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Directoire Shelves

Materials

Brass, Chrome

Tall Chrome and Brass Maison Jansen Style Louis XVI Dircetoire Etagere
Tall Chrome and Brass Maison Jansen Style Louis XVI Dircetoire Etagere

Tall Chrome and Brass Maison Jansen Style Louis XVI Dircetoire Etagere

By Maison Jansen

Located in Swedesboro, NJ

This is a very tall, very clean chrome and brass etagere attributed to Maison Jansen. The piece has

Category

Vintage 1970s European Directoire Bookcases

Materials

Brass, Chrome

Maison Jansen Two-Tone Greek Key Etagere
Maison Jansen Two-Tone Greek Key Etagere

Maison Jansen Two-Tone Greek Key Etagere

Sold

H 71.5 in W 31 in D 15 in

Maison Jansen Two-Tone Greek Key Etagere

By Maison Jansen

Located in Redding, CT

Maison Jansen chrome and brass Greek Key Etagere. Classic Directoire design with Greek key accents

Category

Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Brass, Chrome

19th Century French Directoire Style Etagere
19th Century French Directoire Style Etagere

19th Century French Directoire Style Etagere

Located in Dallas, TX

This 19th Century French Directoire Style Mahogany Etagere is a stunning piece of antique furniture

Category

Antique 19th Century French Bookcases

Materials

Brass

Maison Jansen Directoire Style Chrome and Brass Étagères
Maison Jansen Directoire Style Chrome and Brass Étagères

Maison Jansen Directoire Style Chrome and Brass Étagères

By Maison Jansen

Located in Astoria, NY

A pair of Maison Jansen étagères in chrome, glass and brass, in the French Directoire style, with

Category

Vintage 1950s French Hollywood Regency Shelves

Materials

Brass, Chrome

Fine Mahogany and Gilded Metal Directoire Style Étagères Bookshelves Curio, Pair
Fine Mahogany and Gilded Metal Directoire Style Étagères Bookshelves Curio, Pair

Fine Mahogany and Gilded Metal Directoire Style Étagères Bookshelves Curio, Pair

Located in Swedesboro, NJ

Handsome pair of fine French design! Beautiful condition. Matched pair. Measures: 50 tall x 24 wide x 12 deep. Gorgeous design.

Category

Vintage 1960s French Directoire Bookcases

Materials

Mahogany

French Louis XVI Style Directoire Mahogany Etagere Side Table
French Louis XVI Style Directoire Mahogany Etagere Side Table

French Louis XVI Style Directoire Mahogany Etagere Side Table

Located in Vero Beach, FL

French Louis XVI Directoire Mahogany Etagere Side Table French Petite and refined highly

Category

Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Side Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Directoire/ Neoclassical Style Bronze Two-Tier Étagère Side Table
Directoire/ Neoclassical Style Bronze Two-Tier Étagère Side Table

Directoire/ Neoclassical Style Bronze Two-Tier Étagère Side Table

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

Directoire/ neoclassical style bronze Two-Tier Étagère side table France, late 20th century A

Category

Late 20th Century Side Tables

Materials

Bronze

Italian Directoire Period Walnut 1-Drawer 3-Tier Étagère Table, circa 1820
Italian Directoire Period Walnut 1-Drawer 3-Tier Étagère Table, circa 1820

Italian Directoire Period Walnut 1-Drawer 3-Tier Étagère Table, circa 1820

Located in Atlanta, GA

Constructed of solid walnut with walnut veneers the nearly square top with a hidden drawer below supported by lyre shaped legs, the center shelf with gallery, raised on small ball feet.

Category

Antique 1820s Italian Directoire End Tables

Materials

Walnut

Vintage Hollywood Regency Directoire Iron Brass Glass X-Form Étagère Bookcase
Vintage Hollywood Regency Directoire Iron Brass Glass X-Form Étagère Bookcase

Vintage Hollywood Regency Directoire Iron Brass Glass X-Form Étagère Bookcase

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Very unique high quality Hollywood Regency/ Directoire style iron X-form étagère/ bookcase. The

Category

Late 20th Century American Hollywood Regency Bookcases

Materials

Iron

Directoire Style Enameled Iron Two-Tier Table Étagère with Brass Embellishments
Directoire Style Enameled Iron Two-Tier Table Étagère with Brass Embellishments

Directoire Style Enameled Iron Two-Tier Table Étagère with Brass Embellishments

By William Billy Haines

Located in Hanover, MA

Custom-made, circa 1980 by a Boston area metal-smith. Directoire form two-tier rectangular end

Category

Vintage 1980s American Hollywood Regency End Tables

Materials

Brass, Iron

Pair of Maison Jansen Style Étagères
Pair of Maison Jansen Style Étagères

Pair of Maison Jansen Style Étagères

Sold

H 76 in W 30 in D 14 in

Pair of Maison Jansen Style Étagères

By Maison Jansen

Located in Swedesboro, NJ

Pair of Maison Jansen style étagères with 6 glass shelves.

Category

20th Century French Directoire Sideboards

Materials

Metal

1950s French Étagère Attributed to Maison Baguès
1950s French Étagère Attributed to Maison Baguès

1950s French Étagère Attributed to Maison Baguès

By Maison Baguès

Located in New York, NY

1950s French brass and brushed nickel étagère attributed to Maison Baguès. The étagère has seven

Category

Vintage 1950s French Directoire Shelves

Materials

Brass

Solid Heavy Steel French Jansen Style Direcoire Style Midcentury Étagère
Solid Heavy Steel French Jansen Style Direcoire Style Midcentury Étagère

Solid Heavy Steel French Jansen Style Direcoire Style Midcentury Étagère

Located in Swedesboro, NJ

This is an original solid and heavy steel étagère in the style of Maison Jansen, circa 1950. It

Category

Vintage 1950s French Directoire Shelves

Materials

Steel

French Directoire Etagere
French Directoire Etagere

French Directoire Etagere

Sold

H 103 in W 111 in D 21.5 in

French Directoire Etagere

Located in Hudson, NY

Wonderful, 19th century French Directoire Etagere with an amazing amount of storage! adjustable

Category

Antique 19th Century French Buffets

Materials

Walnut

Directoire Style Etagere
Directoire Style Etagere

Directoire Style Etagere

Sold

H 36 in W 44 in D 16 in

Directoire Style Etagere

Located in New York, NY

Directoire style mahogany bronze mounted etagere in the style of Jansen. The rectangular top and

Category

20th Century Shelves

Directoire Mahogany Small Etagere. Circa 1800
Directoire Mahogany Small Etagere. Circa 1800

Directoire Mahogany Small Etagere. Circa 1800

Located in New York, NY

Refined Directoire mahogany small etagere table. The rectangular dished top raised on round

Category

Antique 19th Century French Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Mid-20th Century Directoire Style Étagère
Mid-20th Century Directoire Style Étagère

Mid-20th Century Directoire Style Étagère

Sold

H 40 in W 39.5 in D 18 in

Mid-20th Century Directoire Style Étagère

Located in Stamford, CT

Mid-20th century steel étagère in French Directoire style with glass shelves, and brass round

Category

Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Shelves

Materials

Steel

Maison Jansen Style Etagere or Bookshelf in Steel and Brass
Maison Jansen Style Etagere or Bookshelf in Steel and Brass

Maison Jansen Style Etagere or Bookshelf in Steel and Brass

By Maison Jansen

Located in Stamford, CT

A fine etagere or bookshelf in the style of Maison Jansen, of steel and brass. Five glass shelves.

Category

Vintage 1950s French Directoire Bookcases

Materials

Brass, Steel

French Directoire Style Mahogany Etagere
French Directoire Style Mahogany Etagere

French Directoire Style Mahogany Etagere

Sold

H 30.32 in W 23.63 in D 14.57 in

French Directoire Style Mahogany Etagere

Located in Salisbury, GB

French Directoire style mahogany etagere of very fine quality. A rare feature being the brass

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Serving Tables

Pair of Custom Étagère Bookcases
Pair of Custom Étagère Bookcases

Pair of Custom Étagère Bookcases

Sold

H 94 in W 31.5 in D 11.5 in

Pair of Custom Étagère Bookcases

Located in Kilmarnock, VA

A large and impressive pair of custom-made Directoire style étagère bookcases in ivory painted iron

Category

Late 20th Century American Directoire Bookcases

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Solid Walnut Dovetail Record Crate
Solid Walnut Dovetail Record Crate

Solid Walnut Dovetail Record Crate

$365 / item

H 11 in W 14.25 in D 16.25 in

Solid Walnut Dovetail Record Crate

By Blake Tovin, Matt Richmond

Located in Nyack, NY

As avid record collectors we all have albums we want close at hand. Whether storing new finds or favorite titles that are in heavy rotation, our dovetail record crate is the perfect ...

Category

2010s American Modern Music Stands

Materials

Brass

Set of 6 French Chairs
Set of 6 French Chairs

Set of 6 French Chairs

$3,500 / set

H 35.5 in W 18.5 in D 18 in

Set of 6 French Chairs

Located in Houston, TX

A charming Set of six Louis XVI -style painted dining room chairs- oval backs on fluted tapered legs. The set still appears to be covered in their original mohair fabric, although it...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

18th Century Walnut Console from the Emilia
18th Century Walnut Console from the Emilia

18th Century Walnut Console from the Emilia

$7,920

H 30.5 in W 63 in D 28 in

18th Century Walnut Console from the Emilia

Located in San Francisco, CA

Mid-18th century walnut console from the Emilia.

Category

Antique Mid-18th Century Italian Rococo Console Tables

Materials

Walnut

1940s Large Alabaster Sconces
1940s Large Alabaster Sconces

1940s Large Alabaster Sconces

$6,800 / set

H 34 in W 10.5 in D 5 in

1940s Large Alabaster Sconces

Located in New York, NY

A pair of circa 1940’s Italian three levels large alabaster sconces with interior lights

Category

Vintage 1940s Italian Other Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Alabaster, Bronze

Una 'Articolo Indeterminativo' Wood Chaise Longue
Una 'Articolo Indeterminativo' Wood Chaise Longue

Una 'Articolo Indeterminativo' Wood Chaise Longue

$23,643

H 33.47 in W 88.59 in D 33.86 in

Una 'Articolo Indeterminativo' Wood Chaise Longue

By Stefano Marolla

Located in Roma, IT

The chaise longue is the third piece of the collection Una (Articolo Indeterminativo) by Stefano Marolla. The name of the collection comes from the Italian grammar where the indeterm...

Category

2010s Italian Modern Chaise Longues

Materials

Wood

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

French Mid-19th Century Painted Cabinet with Chicken Wire Doors
French Mid-19th Century Painted Cabinet with Chicken Wire Doors

French Mid-19th Century Painted Cabinet with Chicken Wire Doors

Located in Atlanta, GA

This French painted wood cabinet from the mid-19th century features two wire decorated doors. These chicken wire doors enclose four inner shelves, which would allow perfect storage o...

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Cabinets

Materials

Wire

Vintage Chinese Eight Panel Coromandel Screen
Vintage Chinese Eight Panel Coromandel Screen

Vintage Chinese Eight Panel Coromandel Screen

$4,800

H 96 in W 130 in D 0.88 in

Vintage Chinese Eight Panel Coromandel Screen

Located in Houston, TX

Vintage Chinese eight panel coromandel screen composed of wood and lacquer. This screen depicts daily life on one side and a landscape with birds and fauna on the other side.

Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Superb pair of Danish late Art Deco Lounge Chairs with Birch Armrests 1930s
Superb pair of Danish late Art Deco Lounge Chairs with Birch Armrests 1930s

Superb pair of Danish late Art Deco Lounge Chairs with Birch Armrests 1930s

By Fritz Hansen

Located in Bridgeport, CT

Superb Danish late Art Deco early midcentury chairs from the late 1930's or early 1940s with spring cushions and beautiful open armrests and legs carved in solid Birch with great gra...

Category

Vintage 1930s Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Wool, Birch

French Art Nouveau Old Bronze Guimard Chandelier
French Art Nouveau Old Bronze Guimard Chandelier

French Art Nouveau Old Bronze Guimard Chandelier

$6,888

H 39.38 in W 11.82 in D 27.56 in

French Art Nouveau Old Bronze Guimard Chandelier

By Hector Guimard

Located in Rebais, FR

Art Nouveau Bronze Hector Guimard Chandelier with old bronze finish and amber pate de verre.     

Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Art Nouveau Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Bronze

Low Slung Pair Carved Walnut French Carved Louis XV Bergere Chairs
Low Slung Pair Carved Walnut French Carved Louis XV Bergere Chairs

Low Slung Pair Carved Walnut French Carved Louis XV Bergere Chairs

$1,836Sale Price / set|20% Off

H 38 in W 35 in D 33.5 in

Low Slung Pair Carved Walnut French Carved Louis XV Bergere Chairs

Located in Swedesboro, NJ

This low slung pair of French Louis XV style Bergère chairs combines elegance, comfort, and masterful craftsmanship. Constructed from richly carved walnut, the frames display the hal...

Category

Vintage 1950s French Louis XV Bergere Chairs

Materials

Walnut

Chinoiserie Style Octagonal Accent Table
Chinoiserie Style Octagonal Accent Table

Chinoiserie Style Octagonal Accent Table

By Lillian August

Located in Bridgeport, CT

Chinoiserie octagonal accent table with fine form and color. Features a classic black lacquer and gilt design with scenes of Asian architecture and natural landscapes decorating an o...

Category

20th Century Chinoiserie Side Tables

Materials

Brass

Victorian Style Long Globe Milk Glass Pendent
Victorian Style Long Globe Milk Glass Pendent

Victorian Style Long Globe Milk Glass Pendent

Located in Peekskill, NY

The shape of this hand blown milk glass shade has a character all its own. These were produced in limited quantities using wood molds and old world techniques. The end result is an 1...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Glass

Pair of Austrian Biedermeier 1840s, Armchairs with Pierced Backs and Cane Seats
Pair of Austrian Biedermeier 1840s, Armchairs with Pierced Backs and Cane Seats

Pair of Austrian Biedermeier 1840s, Armchairs with Pierced Backs and Cane Seats

Located in Atlanta, GA

A pair of Austrian Biedermeier armchairs from the mid-19th century with pierced back, cane seats and seat cushion. Each chair features a pierced design on the back, reminiscent of Go...

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Armchairs

Materials

Upholstery, Cane, Wood

Wieland Unimold Wedge Form Lounge Chair
Wieland Unimold Wedge Form Lounge Chair

Wieland Unimold Wedge Form Lounge Chair

$2,500

H 24.5 in W 40 in D 39 in

Wieland Unimold Wedge Form Lounge Chair

By Adrian Pearsall

Located in Hanover, MA

Fantastic sculptural 1970's wedge-form lounge chair on triangular walnut plinth base by Wieland Furniture Company of Bay City, Michigan constructed with their patented Unimold molded...

Category

Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Plywood

Venetian Monumental Seated Bird Cage
Venetian Monumental Seated Bird Cage

Venetian Monumental Seated Bird Cage

$425,000

H 168 in Dm 104 in

Venetian Monumental Seated Bird Cage

Located in Queens, NY

Italian Venetian style (20th Cent) octagonal shaped painted and decorated metal and wood bird cage with 8 upholstered seat and back cushions around base. (Franco Zefferelli Collection)

Category

Early 20th Century Italian Rococo Bird Cages

Materials

Metal

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Directoire Etagere For Sale on 1stDibs

Choose from an assortment of styles, material and more with respect to the directoire etagere you’re looking for at 1stDibs. Each directoire etagere for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using metal, brass and glass. Your living room may not be complete without a directoire etagere — find older editions for sale from the 19th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 20th Century. Each directoire etagere bearing Hollywood Regency or Neoclassical hallmarks is very popular. Maison Jansen each produced at least one beautiful directoire etagere that is worth considering.

How Much is a Directoire Etagere?

A directoire etagere can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price 1stDibs is $3,200, while the lowest priced sells for $1,250 and the highest can go for as much as $17,500.

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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