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Dropfront Desks

Mid Century Modern Gentleman's Chest with Dropfront Writing 
Located in Freehold, NJ
, original walnut finish, brass accented hardware, a drop front writing desk disguised as a drawer, and tall
Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers

Materials

Walnut

Kindel Winterthur Collection Mahogany Goddard Townsend Secretary Writing Desk
By Kindel Furniture
Located in Dayton, OH
Kindel Winterthur Collection Mahogany Goddard Townsend Blockfront Secretary Writing Desk. Made from
Category

Late 20th Century Federal Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

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Early 20th Century Mahogany Art Deco Sideboard / Dressoir
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
Beautiful Art Deco sideboard. The cabinet is made of mahogany and the veneer is also mahogany. The design has influences of Eastern styles, which can be seen in the top and also the ...
Category

Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Dressers

Materials

Mahogany, Burl

Mid-Century Modern Highboy by Kent Coffey
By Kent-Coffey
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This stunning highboy dresser by Kent Coffey would make a great addition to any bedroom with its rich walnut woodgrain, made in America quality, and stylish design. With six drawers ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dressers

Materials

Walnut

Federal Mahogany Tall Gentleman's Chest
Located in Westwood, NJ
A Federal style mahogany and figured mahogany Gentleman's chest of drawers, the bowfront reeded edge top with protruding corners above leaf carved capital and reeded column supports,...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Federal Dressers

Materials

Wood

Federal Mahogany Tall Gentleman's Chest
Federal Mahogany Tall Gentleman's Chest
H 62 in W 48.25 in D 20 in
Mid-Century Modern Walnut Highboy Dresser
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This gorgeous vintage modern chest features six hefty drawers with unique metal pulls. Sturdy construction with elegant dark walnut wood grain adding to the midcentury appeal. This u...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Dressers

Materials

Metal

Pair of Heritage Federal Style Chests of Drawers
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Drexel Heritage Cambridge flamed mahogany wood five drawer dresser chests. Pullout on top of the drawers with brass knobs. Quality American craftsmanship. Circa mid 20th Century. ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Albert Parvin Style Mid Century Walnut Highboy Dresser Gentlemans Chest Armoire
Located in Countryside, IL
Albert Parvin style mid century walnut highboy dresser gentlemans chest armoire. This dresser measures: 48 wide x 22 deep x 57 inches high. All pieces of furniture can be had i...
Category

Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers

Materials

Walnut

Pair of Vintage Campaign Style Drexel Accolade II Cabinets
By Drexel
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair of armoires, wardrobes or closets are in the traditional "Campaign" style, with recessed hardware and no overhanging crown or top to be portable for military officers. The wood ...
Category

Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern Walnut Gentleman's Tall Chest by United
Located in Wilmington, DE
Mid-Century Modern Walnut Gentleman's tall chest Offered is an excellent example of American mid-century modern design; a walnut dresser from the 1960's. Features dovetailed drawe...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dressers

Materials

Walnut

American Walnut Concave Front Gentleman's Chest Dresser Double Door Compartment
By American of Martinsville
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern American walnut high chest dresser with double doors compartment.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dressers

Materials

Walnut

Mid Century American Walnut Gentleman's Chest Dresser w/ Two Doors Compartment
By American of Martinsville
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern American walnut two doors compartment five drawers high chest dresser cabinet.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Walnut

Art Deco Chest Drawers Commode Roaring Twenties
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Absolutely Classic Art Deco style chest of drawers Very high deco, clean and minimal design Some of our items are in storage so please check ahead of a viewing to see if it is on o...
Category

Vintage 1980s Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Other

White Pickle Finish Two Doors Compartment Gentleman's Chest Dresser
By American of Martinsville, Kent-Coffey
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern white pickle finish over mahogany dresser high chest. Super solid craftsmanship quality sculptural design cabinet. Super clean original condition.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern Double Door Compartment Walnut Gentleman's Chest Dresser MINT
By Lane Furniture
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern double door compartment Walnut Gentleman's Chest Dresser MINT.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dressers

Materials

Walnut

Vintage Dresser with Matching Mirror and Custom Glass Top by Stanley
By Stanley
Located in Lake Worth, FL
Offering one of our recent palm beach estate fine furniture acquisitions of a Stanley Art Deco dresser with matching mirror and custom glass top Approximate measurements in inch...
Category

Vintage 1970s American Neoclassical Revival Dressers

Materials

Glass, Mirror, Wood

Burl Wood Walnut Brass Hardware Pulls Art Deco Dresser Cabinet Chest of Drawers
By Gilbert Rohde
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern Art Deco burl wood walnut dresser with brass pulls.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern Gentleman's Chest with 3 Drawers
Located in Freehold, NJ
This Mid-Century Modern gentleman's chest features hardwood construction, walnut veneer with original finish, two dovetailed drawers with carved wood pulls, and two cabinet doors wit...
Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers

Materials

Walnut

Recent Sales

Borge Mogensen Rosewood Dropfront Desk
Located in Stamford, CT
Borge Mogensen rosewood desk with four drawers. Top section opens to reveal a fold-out mirror
Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Glass

Dutch Rococo Bombe Marquetry Inlaid Dropfront Desk, Late 18th Century
Located in Hollywood, FL
The rectangular top above a drop front revealing an interior writing surface with chubby holes and drawers above a freeze flanked by pencil drawers and four (4) further drawers termi...
Category

Antique Late 18th Century Dutch Rococo Desks

Materials

Wood

1880 Biedermeier Walnut Dropfront Marble-Top Secretaire Desk
Located in Birmingham, AL
1880 Biedermeier Dropfront Marble Top Secretary Desk Execellent Condition with original embossed
Category

Antique 18th Century and Earlier German Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

Paul McCobb Connoisseur Collection Dropfront Desk
By Paul McCobb
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This stunning drop-front desk is from the Connoisseur Collection designed by Paul McCobb for H
Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desks

Materials

Metal

Unique Continental Brass Repousse and Mirrored Dropfront Desk
Located in San Francisco, CA
A unique continental brass repoussse and mirrored dropfront travel desk.
Category

Antique 19th Century Desks

Cherry Shell Carved Chippendale Blockfront Dropfront Desk C. 20th
Located in Big Flats, NY
A Chippendale style desk offers cherry construction with drop front over block case having four
Category

20th Century Desks

Materials

Brass

Art Deco Gilbert Rohde Paldao Dropfront Desk/Secretary
By Gilbert Rohde, Herman Miller
Located in Atlanta, GA
Art Deco transiting to Streamline modern drop front desk/secretary designed by Gilbert Rohde in
Category

Vintage 1940s American Streamlined Moderne Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Antique Art Nouveau Bookcase, Tiger Oak Bureau Bookcase, Scotland 1910, B1802
Located in Vancouver, BC
Below Open Shelf Below Base with Dropfront Desk Fitted Interior with Pen Holder, PR Ink Wells, Letter
Category

Vintage 1910s Scottish Art Nouveau Bookcases

Materials

Oak

Newly White Lacquered Writing Desk with Gold Accents Table
By Sligh Furniture
Located in West Hartford, CT
Beautiful three drawer writing desk has been newly lacquered in white with painted gold trim. New
Category

Late 20th Century Hollywood Regency Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Teak Dropfront Secretary Desk with Drawer and Compartments
Located in Pasadena, TX
A vintage, solid teak, drop-front secretary desk with a lock and a drop-down writing surface. A
Category

Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Secretaires

Materials

Teak

Antique American Empire Flame Mahogany Dropfront Secretary Desk, circa 1840
By Anthony Quervelle
Located in Big Flats, NY
front desk over ogee frieze drawer and two long drawers, raised on bracket feet, circa 1840. Measures
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century American Empire Secretaires

Materials

Metal

Bernhard Petersen & Søn for BPS Møbler. Secretary in Teak
By Bernhard Pedersen & Son
Located in Hudson, NY
A locking drop front secretary desk in teak, made by Bernhard Petersen & Søn for BPS Møbler. Inside
Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires

Materials

Teak

Louis XVI Marqueted Secretaire in the Manner of Riesener
By Jean-Henri Riesener
Located in Austin, TX
A superb finely crafted Louis XVI style secretary desk with its original Carrara marble top and
Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Secretaires

Materials

Carrara Marble, Bronze

Vintage Mid-Century American of Martinsville Highboy Secretary
By American of Martinsville
Located in Pasadena, TX
Tall dropfront dresser secretary. Drop front desk with louver details with storage drawers
Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers

Materials

Walnut

Art Deco Burled Walnut Secretary & Stool by Merryweather Holloway London
By Merryweather and Sons 1
Located in Atlanta, GA
shelves. The slant front desk contains a fitted interior with pigeon holes around a central drawer and the
Category

Vintage 1930s English Art Deco Secretaires

Materials

Glass, Walnut

Biedermeier Dropfront Desk
Located in Bridgehampton, NY
Satinwood Biedermeier dropfront desk with ivory pulls.
Category

Antique 19th Century German Desks

Biedermeier Dropfront Desk
Biedermeier Dropfront Desk
H 40 in W 39.25 in D 19.75 in
English Arts and Crafts Dropfront Desk
Located in Bridgehampton, NY
English Arts and Crafts movement dropfront desk with original hardware. Original aged finish. Desk
Category

Early 20th Century English Desks

Small Dutch Dropfront Desk
Located in New York, NY
Beech plywood desk on black-painted steel frame. Desk opens to reveal writing surface (21 1/4" deep
Category

Vintage 1960s Dutch Desks

Small Dutch Dropfront Desk
Small Dutch Dropfront Desk
H 47.25 in W 32.68 in D 11.82 in
Original Paint Swedish Dropfront Desk
Located in Bridgehampton, NY
Swedish drop front desk with original paint. Excellent patina and wear.
Category

20th Century Swedish Desks

Original Paint Swedish Dropfront Desk
Original Paint Swedish Dropfront Desk
H 49 in W 48.5 in D 19.5 in
Early 19th Century Swedish Dropfront Desk
Located in Bridgehampton, NY
Magnificent early Swedish country desk in original salmon and forest green paint. The
Category

Antique 19th Century Swedish Desks

Ebonized Drop Front Desk.
Located in Hudson, NY
Walnut dropfront desk with one drawer. Walnut tapering legs.
Category

Vintage 1950s American Desks

Ebonized Drop Front Desk.
Ebonized Drop Front Desk.
H 43.5 in W 28 in D 16 in
Swedish Desk in Original Paint
Located in Bridgehampton, NY
Nineteenth-century Swedish dropfront desk in original paint.
Category

Antique 19th Century Swedish Desks

Swedish Desk in Original Paint
Swedish Desk in Original Paint
H 47.25 in W 45 in D 22.25 in
19th Century Burled Walnut Secretary
Located in San Francisco, CA
19th Century Burled Walnut Secretary also desk, dropfront desk 44"W x 22"D x 82"H
Category

Antique 19th Century French Secretaires

Materials

Wood

18th c Italian Walnut Bombe Fall Front Desk
Located in Katonah, NY
Exquisite 18th c Italian faded walnut bombe fall front desk. The lockable dropfront houses 8 mini
Category

Antique 18th Century and Earlier Italian Desks

18th Century Italian Olive Burlwood Drop front Desk
Located in San Francisco, CA
A beautiful 18th century Italian desk with bookmatched olive burlwood inlay. The lockable dropfront
Category

Antique 18th Century and Earlier Italian Desks

18thc Italian Dropfront Secretary
Located in Charlotte, NC
top. Pull down desk with green leather. Inside six drawers with center cabinet. Five compartments on
Category

Antique 18th Century and Earlier Italian Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

18thc Italian Dropfront Secretary
18thc Italian Dropfront Secretary
H 59.375 in W 39.75 in D 17 in
19th Century Painted Swedish Dropfront Secretary with Burlwood Interior
Located in New York, NY
desk. The original key works in all four locks. Depth when open is 35".
Category

Antique 19th Century Swedish Secretaires

Materials

Brass

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Finding the Right storage-case-pieces for You

Of all the antique and vintage case pieces and storage cabinets 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 storage 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. Whether you’re seeking a playful sideboard made of colored glass and metals, 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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