Mid Century Modern Drexel Declaration Credenza / Buffet
By Kipp Stewart
Located in Las Vegas, NV
This exquisite credenza/buffet is a hallmark of Drexel's premium Declaration line, exemplifying the
Walnut
Kipp Stewart Drexel Declaration Credenza mid-century modern
By Kipp Stewart
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Fabulous kip stewart drexel declaration walnut credenza. This piece has an amazing vintage patina
Walnut
Mid Century Modern Kipp Stewart for Drexel Declaration Credenza
By Kipp Stewart, Drexel
Located in Wheat Ridge, CO
Mid-Century Modern Kipp Stewart for Drexel Declaration Sideboard. Makers mark "Drexel" on interior
Walnut
$3,500
H 31.13 in W 72.25 in D 20 in
Kipp Stewart for Drexel Declaration Walnut Dresser or Credenza, Newly Refinished
By Drexel, Kipp Stewart
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern long dresser or credenza By Kipp Stewart for Drexel
Brass
Unavailable
H 30.5 in W 74.25 in D 21 in
Drexel Declaration by Kipp Stewart 11 Drawer Dresser Cradenza and Mirror
By Kipp Stewart & Stewart MacDougall
Located in Bay City, MI
MacDougall for Drexel’s Declaration Collection, circa 1960’s. Featuring a solid, beautifully grained walnut
Wood
Kipp Stewart and Stewart McDougall Drexel Declaration Credenza
By Drexel, Stewart MacDougall, Kipp Stewart
Located in San Jose, CA
Mid-Century Drexel Declaration sideboard credenza by Kipp Stewart and Stewart McDougall. This piece
Porcelain, Walnut
Kipp Stewart and Stewart MacDougall Drexel Declaration Credenza
By Drexel, Stewart MacDougall, Kipp Stewart
Located in San Jose, CA
Mid century Drexel declaration sideboard credenza by Kipp Stewart and Stewart MacDougall. This
Porcelain, Walnut
Mid-Century Modern Kipp Stewart Drexel Declaration Credenza
By Drexel, Kipp Stewart & Stewart MacDougall
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A stunning vintage modern Drexel Declaration buffet Credenza by Kipp Stewart and Stewart McDougall
Porcelain, Walnut
Sold
H 31 in W 72 in D 20 in
Drexel Declaration Credenza Dresser by Kipp Stewart and Stewart MacDougall
By Stewart MacDougall, Kipp Stewart, Drexel
Located in Los Angeles, CA
MacDougall for the Drexel Declaration line. This piece has its original finish and is in great condition with
Marble, Brass
Sold
H 31 in W 72.5 in D 20 in
American Mid Century Modern Walnut Drexel Declaration Credenza Kipp Stuart
By Drexel, Kipp Stewart & Stewart MacDougall
Located in San Diego, CA
Mid-Century Modern credenza designed by Kipp Stewart & Stewart MacDougall for Drexel’s “Declaration
Brass
Sold
H 31.5 in W 72.5 in D 21 in
Midcentury Custom Two-Tone Drexel Declaration Buffet Credenza by Kipp Stewart
By Drexel, Kipp Stewart & Stewart MacDougall
Located in Houston, TX
Midcentury Drexel declaration credenza by Kipp Stewart and Stewart McDougall featuring four center
Walnut
Sold
H 32 in W 72 in D 20 in
Midcentury Danish Modern Walnut Declaration Credenza by Drexel, circa 1960
By Drexel
Located in Big Flats, NY
Midcentury Danish modern declaration credenza by Drexel features designing by by Kipp Stewart and
Brass
Kipp Stewart “Declaration” Walnut Credenza for Drexel
By Stewart MacDougall, Kipp Stewart, Drexel
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designer: Stewart MacDougall & Kipp Stewart. Manufacturer: Drexel “Declaration”. Period/Style
Brass
Kipp Stewart for Drexel Declaration Mid-Century Walnut Credenza
By Drexel, Kipp Stewart
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Kipp Stewart for Drexel Declaration mid century walnut credenza. The credenza measures: 72.25
Walnut
Kipp Stewart “Declaration” Tambour Door Credenza for Drexel
By Kipp Stewart & Stewart MacDougall, Drexel
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designer: Kipp Stewart & Stewart MacDougall Manufacturer: Drexel “Declaration” Period/style: Mid
Walnut
Sold
H 31.38 in W 60 in L 31.38 in
Kipp Stewart for Drexel Declaration Walnut Sideboard Credenza, Newly Restored
By Drexel, Kipp Stewart
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern walnut sideboard credenza By Kipp Stewart for Drexel
Brass
Sold
H 32.5 in W 43.5 in D 17.75 in
Kipp Stewart “Declaration” Walnut Tambour-Door Credenza for Drexel
By Kipp Stewart & Stewart MacDougall, Drexel
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Kipp Stewart “Declaration” Walnut Tambour-Door Credenza for Drexel.
Wood, Walnut
Sold
H 31.25 in W 72.25 in D 20 in
Kipp Stewart and Stewart MacDougall “Declaration” Credenza for Drexel
By Drexel, Stewart MacDougall, Kipp Stewart
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designer: Stewart MacDougall & Kipp Stewart. Manufacturer: Drexel “Declaration”. Period/Style
Brass
Sold
H 31 in W 48.5 in D 20 in
Kipp Stewart for Drexel Declaration Walnut Credenza or Bar Cabinet, Refinished
By Kipp Stewart, Drexel
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern sideboard, credenza, or bar cabinet By Kipp Stewart for Drexel
Brass
Sold
H 31.25 in W 60 in D 20 in
Kipp Stewart for Drexel Declaration Midcentury Walnut Sideboard Credenza, 1958
By Kipp Stewart & Stewart MacDougall, Drexel
Located in South Bend, IN
A very nice Mid-Century Modern walnut sideboard or credenza designed by Kipp Stewart for Drexel
Porcelain, Walnut
Sold
H 31.5 in W 43.5 in D 19.25 in
Kipp Stewart & Stewart McDougall “Declaration” Tambour Door Credenza for Drexel
By Drexel, Kipp Stewart, Stewart MacDougall
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designer: Stewart McDougall & Kipp Stewart. Manufacturer: Drexel “Declaration.” Period/Style: Mid
Walnut
Kipp Stewart Declaration Credenza for Drexel, Newly Restored, circa 1950
By Kipp Stewart & Stewart MacDougall, Drexel, Kipp Stewart
Located in Los Angeles, CA
the Declaration line for Drexel furniture. Fabricated from veneered walnut with striking wood grain
Porcelain, Walnut
Sold
H 31.25 in W 72.25 in D 20 in
Kipp Stewart Credenza / Sideboard for Drexel Declaration Collection
By Kipp Stewart
Located in Cincinnati, OH
open manufactured by the Drexel Furniture company for their Declaration collection designed by Kipp
Mahogany
Stewart McDougall & Kipp Stewart “Declaration” Credenza for Drexel
By Stewart MacDougall, Kipp Stewart
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designer: Stewart McDougall & Kipp Stewart Manufacturer: Drexel “Declaration” Period/Style: Mid
Brass
Kipp Stewart & Stewart McDougall “Declaration” Credenza for Drexel
By Kipp Stewart, Stewart MacDougall
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designer: Stewart McDougall & Kipp Stewart. Manufacturer: Drexel “Declaration.” Period/Style: Mid
Brass
Drexel Declaration by Kipp Stewart circa 1960 walnut credenza
By Kipp Stewart
Located in Sayreville, NJ
Kipp Stewart for Drexel Declaration Walnut Long Credenza Great condition all around with the top
Walnut
Sold
H 31 in W 66 in D 20 in
Kipp Stewart & Stewart McDougall 'Declaration' Walnut Tambour-Door Credenza
By Kipp Stewart & Stewart MacDougall, Drexel
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-Century Modern tambour door credenza designed by Kipp Stewart & Stewart MacDougall for Drexel
Brass
Sold
H 31 in W 64.25 in D 20 in
Mid Century Modern Drexel Kipp Stewart Declaration Credenza Console Sideboard
By Drexel
Located in Dayton, OH
Iconic Mid-Century Modern Drexel Declaration buffet or credenza by Kipp Stewart and Stewart
Walnut
Mid-Century Drexel Declaration Eleven Drawer Dresser / Credenza
By Kipp Stewart & Stewart MacDougall, Drexel, Kipp Stewart
Located in Raleigh, NC
Mid Century Drexel Declaration 11 Drawer designed by Kipp Stewart in the 1950’s. This iconic design
Porcelain, Wood, Walnut
Sold
H 31.25 in W 60 in D 21 in
Mid-Century Walnut Dresser Or Credenza By Kipp Stewart For Drexel Declaration
By Kipp Stewart, Drexel
Located in Southampton, NJ
A fabulous 8-drawer dresser or credenza designed by Kipp Stewart having solid walnut construction
Brass
Mid-Century Kipp Stewart for Drexel Declaration Mini Buffet Credenza
By Kipp Stewart
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Near perfect example of an exceptional Kipp Stewart designed small buffet cabinet by Drexel. Three
Kipp Stewart Drexel Declaration Credenza
By Stewart MacDougall, Kipp Stewart, Drexel
Located in San Jose, CA
Mid Century Drexel Declaration Buffet Credenza by Kipp Stewart and Stewart McDougall. This piece
Porcelain, Walnut
Sold
H 31.38 in W 48.5 in D 20 in
Mid Century Drexel Declaration Credenza Buffet Dresser Kipp Stewart and Stewart
By Kipp Stewart & Stewart MacDougall, Drexel
Located in Baltimore, MD
Drexel’s Declaration Collection, circa 1960s, a great compact size. Featuring a solid, beautifully grained
Porcelain, Walnut
Sold
H 31.25 in W 36.13 in D 20 in
Drexel Declaration Credenza Cabinet by Kipp Stewart and Stewart Macdougall
By Stewart MacDougall, Kipp Stewart, Drexel
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Macdougall for the Drexel Declaration line. This piece has its original finish and is in good condition with
Walnut
Drexel Declaration Buffet Credenza by Kipp Stewart
By Kipp Stewart & Stewart MacDougall
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Midcentury Drexel Declaration credenza by Kipp Stewart and Stewart McDougall. Featuring four center
Walnut
Sold
H 31.25 in W 60 in D 20 in
Kipp Stewart for Drexel Declaration Walnut Sideboard Credenza, Newly Restored
By Kipp Stewart, Drexel
Located in South Bend, IN
Drexel Declaration USA, 1960 Walnut, porcelain hardware and built-in interior lights Measures
Porcelain, Walnut
1950’s Walnut Credenza by Kipp Stewart for Drexel Declaration
By Kipp Stewart, Drexel
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Spectacular modern credenza or bar cabinet designed by Kipp Stewart for Drexel Declaration
Walnut
Sold
H 64 in W 72 in D 20 in
Mid-Century Modern Kipp Stewart Drexel Declaration Walnut Dresser Credenza
By Kipp Stewart, Drexel
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
knobs on its eight outer drawers, designed by Kipp Stewart for Drexel, Declaration, circa 1965. In
Wood
Sold
H 31.25 in W 60 in D 20 in
Midcentury Walnut Illuminated Credenza by Kipp Stewart for Drexel Declaration
By Kipp Stewart, Drexel
Located in Brooklyn, NY
1950s walnut credenza / sideboard designed by Kipp Stewart for Drexel’s “Declaration” line
Brass
Mid-Century Modern "Declaration" Credenza by Kipp Stewart for Drexel
By Kipp Stewart & Stewart MacDougall, Drexel
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-Century Modern credenza designed by Kipp Stewart & Stewart MacDougall for Drexel’s “Declaration
Brass
Kipp Stewart Declaration Credenza for Drexel
By Kipp Stewart
Located in New York, NY
credenza, dresser provides ample storage space, and exhibits the Classic Mid-Century style created by Kipp
Walnut
Sold
H 31.25 in W 48.5 in D 20 in
Kipp Stewart for Drexel Declaration Mid-Century Modern Walnut Credenza, 1960
By Drexel, Kipp Stewart & Stewart MacDougall
Located in South Bend, IN
Drexel's "Declaration" line. The credenza features gorgeous walnut wood grain and sleek midcentury design
Porcelain, Walnut
Sold
H 31 in W 45 in D 20 in
Vintage Mid-Century Modern Drexel Declaration Tambour Doors Credenza Cabinet
Located in Seattle, WA
Vintage Mid-Century Modern drexel declaration tambour doors credenza cabinet Dimensions. 44 1/2 W
Wood
Sold
H 31 in W 43.5 in D 20 in
Kipp Stewart for Drexel Declarations Mid Century Walnut Tambour Door Sideboard C
By Drexel, Kipp Stewart
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Kipp Stewart for Drexel declarations Mid Century walnut tambour door sideboard credenza Credenza
Walnut
Sold
H 31 in W 66 in D 20 in
Kipp Stewart & Stewart McDougall 'Declaration' Walnut Tambour-Door Credenza
By Drexel, Kipp Stewart & Stewart MacDougall
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-Century Modern tambour door credenza designed by Kipp Stewart & Stewart MacDougall for Drexel
Brass
Kipp Stewart Walnut Credenza
By Drexel
Located in Denton, TX
Drexel Declaration series credenza designed by Kipp Stewart with four doors and two drawers and
Walnut
Drexel Declaration Two Part Cabinet
By Edward Wormley, Drexel
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Drexel Declaration walnut sideboard credenza hutch light up cabinet. Lots of storage space
Porcelain, Walnut
Mid-Century Modern Drexel "Declaration" Dresser
By Kipp Stewart & Stewart MacDougall
Located in Astoria, NY
, "Declaration" model credenza (designed 1950s), walnut, rectangular dresser with two cabinet doors at left
Walnut
Vintage Mid-Century Modern Walnut "Declaration" Credenza by Drexel
By Drexel
Located in San Marcos, CA
Here is from the acclaimed "Declaration" of Drexel, a beautiful late 1950s sideboard in walnut
Walnut
Sold
H 30.5 in W 50.25 in L 30.5 in
Vintage Mid-Century Modern Walnut "Declaration" Stereo Console by Drexel
By Drexel
Located in San Marcos, CA
McDougall from the sought after "Declaration" collection of Drexel manufactured in the US in the 1960s. The
Walnut
Sold
H 31.25 in W 40 in D 20 in
Vintage Mid-Century Modern Walnut "Declaration" Stereo Console by Drexel
By Drexel
Located in San Marcos, CA
McDougall from the sought after "Declaration" collection of Drexel manufactured in the US in the 1960s. The
Walnut
Kipp Stewart Walnut Credenza by Drexel Declaration
By Kipp Stewart
Located in Costa Mesa, CA
This Kipp Stewart walnut credenza by Drexel Declaration. Beautiful bookend matched doors with
Brass
Sold
H 31 in W 20 in D 60 in
Mid-Century Modern Credenza by Kipp Stewart for Drexel Declaration, circa 1963
By Kipp Stewart & Stewart MacDougall, Drexel
Located in Weehawken, NJ
Mid-Century Modern Walnut Credenza by Drexel "Declaration" designed by Kipp Stewart & Stewart
Wood, Walnut
Sold
H 31 in W 52.5 in D 20 in
Mid Century MODERN DRESSER / Credenza by DREXEL Declaration by Kipp Stewart
By Drexel, Kipp Stewart
Located in Weehawken, NJ
Mid Century Modern Walnut Dresser by Drexel "Declaration" designed by Kipp Stewart & Stewart
Porcelain, Walnut
Drexel Declaration by Kipp Stewart Credenza, Record Cabinet, Bookshelf
By Kipp Stewart, Drexel
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This fantastic credenza can be used as a TV stand, record cabinet, bookshelf or bar. Plenty of
Hardwood, Walnut
Danish Mid-Century Modern Rosewood Sideboard, 1960s
By Sibast, Arne Vodder
Located in Asaa, DK
Danish Mid-Century Modern Low Rosewood sideboard, 1960s Beautiful Danish Modern low sideboard in minimalistic style attributed to Danish designer Arne Vodder for Sibast. Front with...
Rosewood
1958 Danish Teak Royal Cado Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius
By Poul Cadovius
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Highly versatile and functional Cado wall unit in walnut by Danish designer Poul Cadovius. We currently have many different Cado pieces in stock and can customize your order to incl...
Teak
$4,500
H 30 in W 77.5 in D 18 in
Expertly Restored - Danish Modern 9-Drawer Teak Dresser with Steel Pulls
Located in Los Angeles, CA
________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, and we take this journey with passion and precis...
Steel
$3,990 / item
H 15.75 in W 74.81 in D 29.14 in
Mustard Velvet Daybed with V-Shaped Beechwood Base, Model V
By Dusty Deco
Located in Los Angeles, CA
DD V daybed is an exclusive daybed made by hand in Bosnia and Herzegovina by skilled craftsmen with long experience in wood and upholstery. Both frame and the characteristic V-shaped...
Fabric, Beech, Velvet
$4,310
H 33.47 in W 72.45 in D 18.9 in
Luxury Walnut Brass Credenza by William Watting for Fristho Modernart Denmark
By William Watting, Fristho
Located in Voorburg, NL
Stunning Walnut sideboard designed by William Watting and produced by Fristho Modernart Denmark in 1955. This piece was part of the 'Modern Art' collection and brought a Scandinavian...
Brass
$3,000
H 30.5 in W 74 in D 19 in
Expertly Restored United Furniture Walnut Diamond Triple Dresser 9 Drawers 1960s
By United Furniture Corporation
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Mid-Century Modern united furniture company vintage circa 1950s nine-drawer triple dresser would work well in the bedroom as originally intended or in the living room re-purposed as ...
Aluminum
$4,895 / item
H 24.5 in W 72 in D 18 in
Mid-Century Modern Style Tambour-Door Credenza by Danish Modern LA
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Introducing our first-ever modern credenza designed and crafted by Danish Modern L.A.'s artisans' house in Los Angeles, CA. Our skillfully crafted credenza showcases a solid American...
Walnut
$5,131Sale Price / set|30% Off
H 24.01 in Dm 13.78 in
Pair of Constant Night Stands in Poplar Burl wood by Master for Lemon
By Lemon
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Envisioned by designer Yaniv Chen, the Constant nightstand exudes an air of refined luxury, celebrating the inherent splendor of Poplar burl wood. Meticulously crafted with impeccabl...
Burl, Poplar
Mid-Century Dresser Cabinet Attributed to Paul McCobb
By Paul McCobb, Jack Cartwright
Located in New York, NY
Well constructed mid-century cabinet of solid walnut, walnut veneer, and brass. The case features a bi - fold door which opens to 4 interior drawers, flanked by a bank of 4 drawers w...
Brass
Bernard Pedersen & Son Tambour Door Credenza in Teak
By Bernhard Pedersen & Son
Located in Seattle, WA
A classic Mid-Century Modern Danish Credenza with Tambour door, manufactured by Bernhard Pedersen & Son. In great vintage condition and has been recently restored.
Teak
$1,600Sale Price|43% Off
H 32 in W 72 in D 18 in
Walnut Credenza in the Style of Knoll, Mid-Century Modern, USA, 1965
By Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Walnut Credenza or Buffet that sits up on a square iron black base. Two doors and 4 drawers for plenty of storage! Unique system of connecting cabinets together to create the confi...
Metal, Chrome
Dunbar Credenza
By Dunbar Furniture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This vintage modern Dunbar credenza features a lacquered hard wood base, spacious interior cabinets, and unique metal pulls. This beautiful Mid-Century piece is perfect for use as a ...
Wood
$3,195
H 31.25 in W 64 in D 20 in
Newly Refinished - Mid-Century Modern 9-Drawer Walnut Dresser by Unagusta
By Unagusta
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Condition: Expertly Refinished With over 15 years of experience, our workshop has followed a careful process of restoration, showcasing our passion and creativity for vintage desig...
Walnut
Mid-Century Modern Walnut Credenza by Kent Coffey
By Kent-Coffey
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Kent-Coffey walnut credenza with marble insert. Featuring brass knobs and vibrant walnut, this credenza is well constructed and in very good shape. Please confirm item location (N...
Walnut
Mid Century Danish Modern Teak Credenza
Located in Tulsa, OK
**Please Read Entire Description* Please view all listing pictures on a laptop if possible. Some cell phones don’t display all listing pictures and some could be pictures relating ...
Teak
Mid-Century Lane Acclaim Dovetail Walnut Dresser
By Lane Acclaim, Andre Bus
Located in Baltimore, MD
An elegant Mid Century Modern Lane Acclaim 7-Drawer Dresser c. 1960s. This is a beautiful example of Mid-Century craftsmanship by Lane Furniture. This beautiful dresser is a difficul...
Walnut
Organically shaped, clean-lined and elegantly simple are three terms that well describe vintage mid-century modern furniture. The style, which emerged primarily in the years following World War II, is characterized by pieces that were conceived and made in an energetic, optimistic spirit by creators who believed that good design was an essential part of good living.
ORIGINS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW
ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS
VINTAGE MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS
The mid-century modern era saw leagues of postwar American architects and designers animated by new ideas and new technology. The lean, functionalist International-style architecture of Le Corbusier and Bauhaus eminences Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius had been promoted in the United States during the 1930s by Philip Johnson and others. New building techniques, such as “post-and-beam” construction, allowed the International-style schemes to be realized on a small scale in open-plan houses with long walls of glass.
Materials developed for wartime use became available for domestic goods and were incorporated into mid-century modern furniture designs. Charles and Ray Eames and Eero Saarinen, who had experimented extensively with molded plywood, eagerly embraced fiberglass for pieces such as the La Chaise and the Womb chair, respectively.
Architect, writer and designer George Nelson created with his team shades for the Bubble lamp using a new translucent polymer skin and, as design director at Herman Miller, recruited the Eameses, Alexander Girard and others for projects at the legendary Michigan furniture manufacturer.
Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi devised chairs and tables built of wire mesh and wire struts. Materials were repurposed too: The Danish-born designer Jens Risom created a line of chairs using surplus parachute straps for webbed seats and backrests.
The Risom lounge chair was among the first pieces of furniture commissioned and produced by celebrated manufacturer Knoll, a chief influencer in the rise of modern design in the United States, thanks to the work of Florence Knoll, the pioneering architect and designer who made the firm a leader in its field. The seating that Knoll created for office spaces — as well as pieces designed by Florence initially for commercial clients — soon became desirable for the home.
As the demand for casual, uncluttered furnishings grew, more mid-century furniture designers caught the spirit.
Classically oriented creators such as Edward Wormley, house designer for Dunbar Inc., offered such pieces as the sinuous Listen to Me chaise; the British expatriate T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings switched gears, creating items such as the tiered, biomorphic Mesa table. There were Young Turks such as Paul McCobb, who designed holistic groups of sleek, blond wood furniture, and Milo Baughman, who espoused a West Coast aesthetic in minimalist teak dining tables and lushly upholstered chairs and sofas with angular steel frames.
Generations turn over, and mid-century modern remains arguably the most popular style going. As the collection of vintage mid-century modern chairs, dressers, coffee tables and other furniture for the living room, dining room, bedroom and elsewhere on 1stDibs demonstrates, this period saw one of the most delightful and dramatic flowerings of creativity in design history.
Antique and vintage credenzas can add an understated touch of grace to your home. These long and sophisticated cabinet-style pieces of furniture can serve a variety of purposes, and they look great too.
In Italy, the credenza was originally a small side table used in religious services. Appropriately, credere in Italian means “to believe.” Credenzas were a place to not only set the food ready for meals, they were also a place to test and taste prepared food for poison before a dish was served to a member of the ruling class. Later, credenza was used to describe a type of versatile narrow side table, typically used for serving food in the home. In form, a credenza has much in common with a sideboard — in fact, the terms credenza and sideboard are used almost interchangeably today.
Credenzas usually have short legs or no legs at all, and can feature drawers and cabinets. And all kinds of iterations of the credenza have seen the light of day over the years, from ornately carved walnut credenzas originating in 16th-century Tuscany to the wealth of Art Deco credenzas — with their polished surfaces and geometric patterns — to the array of innovative modernist interpretations that American furniture maker Milo Baughman created for Directional and Thayer Coggin.
The credenza’s blend of style and functionality led to its widespread use in the 20th century. Mid-century modern credenzas are particularly popular — take a look at Danish furniture designer Arne Vodder’s classic Model 29, for instance, with its reversible sliding doors and elegant drawer pulls. Hans Wegner, another Danish modernist, produced strikingly minimalist credenzas in the 1950s and ’60s, as did influential American designer Florence Knoll. Designers continue to explore new and exciting ways to update this long-loved furnishing.
Owing to its versatility and familiar low-profile form, the credenza remains popular in contemporary homes. Unlike many larger case pieces, credenzas can be placed under windows and in irregularly shaped rooms, such as foyers and entryways. This renders it a useful storage solution. In living rooms, for example, a credenza can be a sleek media console topped with plants and the rare art monographs you’ve been planning to show off. In homes with open floor plans, a credenza can help define multiple living spaces, making it ideal for loft apartments.
Browse a variety of antique and vintage credenzas for sale on 1stDibs to find the perfect fit for your home today.