Drop Front Cabinet
Mid-20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Shelves
Walnut
Vintage 1960s French Brutalist Cupboards
Oak
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Shelves
Glass, Teak
Mid-20th Century American Scandinavian Modern Night Stands
Teak
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
Birdseye Maple
Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Cabinets
Shagreen
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
Teak
Mid-20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
Brass
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Bookcases
Teak
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Dry Bars
Rosewood
Vintage 1950s Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
Wood
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Walnut
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Carts and Bar Carts
Brass
Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
Rosewood
Vintage 1970s French Provincial Night Stands
Burl
Late 20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
Teak
Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Cabinets
Marble, Brass
Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Sideboards
Wood
Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
Wood
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
Teak
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
Walnut
Antique Mid-19th Century British Cabinets
Walnut
Late 20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Shelves
Glass, Wood, Plywood
Vintage 1940s Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
Maple
Late 20th Century Unknown American Colonial Secretaires
Glass, Wood
20th Century American Federal Dressers
Cherry
21st Century and Contemporary American Louis XV Secretaires
Gold Leaf
Antique Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaires
Maple
Vintage 1950s American Modern Cabinets
Zinc
Vintage 1940s French Desks
Faux Leather, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary North American Louis XV Secretaires
Wood
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Dry Bars
Glass, Walnut
Antique 1770s Italian Directoire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Cherry, Walnut, Burl
Vintage 1960s Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Desks
Rosewood
Antique 18th Century French Secretaires
Metal
Antique 1860s Swedish Gustavian Desks
Wood
Antique 1870s Swedish Gustavian Desks
Wood
20th Century American Victorian Secretaires
Walnut
Antique 1810s Danish Empire Secretaires
Mahogany
20th Century French Art Nouveau Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
Antique 19th Century European Renaissance Revival Sideboards
Wood, Walnut
Antique 19th Century English Secretaires
Walnut
Vintage 1960s Sideboards
Glass, Wood
Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Desks
Wood
Vintage 1950s French Secretaires
Elm
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Walnut, Burl
Antique Mid-19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Secretaires
Metal
Antique Late 18th Century French Secretaires
Brass
Vintage 1970s Secretaires
Bronze
Vintage 1940s French Secretaires
Wood
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Teak
Antique Early 19th Century English Hepplewhite Desks
Opaline Glass, Mahogany
Antique Early 19th Century Cabinets
Wood
Antique 19th Century Chippendale Desks
Mahogany
Antique Late 18th Century Dutch Biedermeier Desks
Wood
Antique 19th Century French French Provincial Desks
Satinwood, Walnut
Antique 19th Century Dutch Secretaires
Oak, Paint
Antique 19th Century British Secretaires
Hardwood
Antique Late 19th Century French Secretaires
Wood
Antique 1810s French Empire Secretaires
Brass
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Drop Front Cabinet For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Drop Front Cabinet?
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.
- 1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023A drop-front desk is usually called a secretary. Other names for this type of desk include writing cabinet, fall-front desk and secrétaire à abattant. The name secretary can be traced back to the 18th century when estate secretaries used the drop-front desks as workstations for paying bills and reconciling accounts. On 1stDibs, find a range of secretary desks.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 19, 2021The front of a cabinet is typically called the cabinet face. Depending on the style of cabinetry, the face of a cabinet displays the front of the door and the surrounding frame. It may also feature a handle for opening a drawer. Find vintage and antique cabinets on 1stDibs.
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