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Early Walnut Highboy

Diminutive Early 18th Century Georgian Walnut Highboy
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A rare highboy of diminutive proportions in walnut and mahogany with fine marquetry, feather
Category

Antique 1720s English George I Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany, Walnut

Early 18th Century Antique Walnut Chest on Chest or Highboy
Located in Naples, IT
Chest of drawers in walnut wood and walnut root with extractable desk. England, 18th century.
Category

Antique Early 18th Century English Chippendale Commodes and Chests of Dr...

Materials

Walnut

Mid Century Walnut Highboy Dresser Broyhill Premier Saga
By Broyhill Brasilia
Located in Baltimore, MD
A beautiful, sleek mid-century modern walnut, Highboy Dresser circa early 1960’s from Broyhill
Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers

Materials

Walnut

Spanish Catalan Carved Walnut Chest of Drawers, Highboy or Console, 1920s
Located in Miami, FL
20th century Catalan Spanish carved walnut chest of drawers, highboy or console Country Provincial
Category

Early 20th Century Spanish Spanish Colonial Cupboards

Materials

Walnut

Spanish Catalan Carved Walnut Chest of Drawers, Highboy or Console, 1920s
Located in Miami, FL
20th century Catalan Spanish carved walnut chest of drawers, highboy or console Country Provincial
Category

Early 20th Century Spanish Spanish Colonial Cupboards

Materials

Walnut

Antique French Art Deco Burled Walnut Inlaid Marquetry Highboy Dresser
By Herman Miller
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional French Art Deco highboy dresser In the manner of the early Herman Miller "All
Category

Vintage 1920s American Art Deco Dressers

Materials

Brass

18th Century Queen Anne Highboy
Located in New York, NY
Hand-crafted Queen Anne highboy, circa 1720s. New England. The chest consists of 2 sections made
Category

Antique Early 18th Century American Queen Anne Commodes and Chests of Dr...

Materials

Brass

18th Century Queen Anne Highboy
18th Century Queen Anne Highboy
H 65.5 in W 40 in D 21.5 in
Antique Queen Anne George II Georgian Walnut Chest on Stand Highboy, Circa 1740
Located in Portland, OR
A fine & handsome walnut Queen Anne chest on stand/highboy, dating to the early George II period
Category

Antique 1740s English Queen Anne Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Walnut

English George II Style Burl Walnut and Marquetry Chest on Stand or Highboy
Located in Firenze, IT
) Georgian style chest on stand or highboy is made of the most finest burl walnut featuring an exceptional
Category

Antique Late 19th Century British George II Cabinets

Materials

Brass

18th Century Walnut Chest On Stand Queen Anne
Located in Hoddesdon, GB
An exceptional early 18th Century Queen Anne period Walnut Chest On Stand / Highboy , dating to
Category

Antique Early 18th Century British Queen Anne Commodes and Chests of Dra...

Materials

Walnut

18th Century Walnut Chest On Stand Queen Anne
18th Century Walnut Chest On Stand Queen Anne
H 69.69 in W 38.59 in D 22.05 in
Spanish Carved Walnut Chest of Drawers, Nightstands or Narrow Console, 1920s
Located in Miami, FL
20th century Catalan Spanish carved walnut chest of drawers, highboy or console Country Provincial
Category

Early 20th Century Spanish Spanish Colonial Cupboards

Materials

Walnut

Spanish Carved Walnut Chest of Drawers, Nightstands or Narrow Console, 1920s
Located in Miami, FL
20th century Catalan Spanish carved walnut chest of drawers, highboy or console Country Provincial
Category

Early 20th Century Spanish Spanish Colonial Cupboards

Materials

Walnut

Fine Quality Bench-Made Sold Walnut Trifid Foot Georgian Dresser
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
. There will be times when additional patience will be necessary. This is a beautiful time-faded walnut
Category

Vintage 1920s English Georgian Dressers

Materials

Walnut

Mid Century George Nelson Dresser for Herman Miller, Walnut, Silver Pulls, Rare
By George Nelson
Located in Bedford Hills, NY
Early production of George Nelson walnut highboy dresser for Herman Miller, very rare silver plated
Category

Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers

Materials

Silver

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Antique Burr Walnut Chest of Drawers
Located in London, GB
A beautiful antique burr walnut chest of drawers in the Queen Anne style. This was made in England, it dates from around the 1930’s. The quality is fantastic, this is a very useful ...
Category

Vintage 1930s British Queen Anne Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Walnut

Antique Burr Walnut Chest of Drawers
Antique Burr Walnut Chest of Drawers
H 45.67 in W 35.04 in D 20.08 in
Georgian 18th Century Mahogany Secretaire Cupboard
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A superb quality late 18th century Georgian mahogany secretaire cupboard having well figured and banded top over one secretaire drawer to frieze, enclosing attractive satinwood in...
Category

Antique Mid-18th Century English Georgian Cupboards

Materials

Mahogany

Donald Deskey Streamline Art Deco Highboy Dresser Widdicombe
By Donald Deskey
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Original English European high-style Art Deco bronze highboy dresser featuring a stepped black lacquer base, black trim, and bird's-eye maple body. Each drawer features custom-made s...
Category

Vintage 1920s Dressers

Materials

Birdseye Maple

Lane Rhythm Mid Century Tallboy Dresser
By Lane Furniture
Located in Baltimore, MD
This is a beautiful example of Mid-Century craftsmanship by Lane furniture. This dresser is part of the Rhythm collection by Lane, built in the 1960’s, to have a style that was timel...
Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers

Materials

Walnut

Midcentury Danish Teak Wood Six Drawer Highboy Dresser, circa 1950
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A Mid Century Danish teakwood six drawer highboy dresser raised on a connective stretcher base with straight feet, circa 1950.
Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Dressers

Materials

Teak

Danish Mid-Century Kai Kristiansen Style Tall Teak Dresser or Chest of Drawers
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Beautiful Danish 1960s teak tall dresser or chest or drawers in the style of Kai Kristiansen. Sharp distinct design lines. Teak veneer with edges of solid teak and pulls carved from ...
Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Dressers

Materials

Teak

Diminutive 18th Century Block-front Boston Chest
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A diminutive block-front colonial American chest from the third quarter of the 18th century. Lovely mahogany timber and patina, the chest exhibits a number of characteristics of the...
Category

Antique 1770s American American Colonial Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

18th Century Queen Anne Highboy with Engraved Brasses
Located in Milford, NH
A fine Queen Anne two part highboy with a molded cornice surmounting an upper case with five graduated drawers over an associated lower case with three fitted drawers, all with early...
Category

Antique Mid-17th Century American Queen Anne Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Small Antique Burr Walnut Chest of Drawers
Located in London, GB
A smart and useful small antique burr walnut chest of drawers. It is in the Georgian style, this was made in England and dates from around the 1950’s. It is of superb quality, this ...
Category

Vintage 1950s British Georgian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Walnut

Small Antique Burr Walnut Chest of Drawers
Small Antique Burr Walnut Chest of Drawers
H 29.93 in W 16.93 in D 11.82 in
Antique Yew Wood Bachelors Chest of Drawers
Located in London, GB
A stunning antique yew wood bachelors chest of drawers. This was made in England in the Georgian revival style, it dates from around the 1920’s period. The quality is outstanding an...
Category

Vintage 1920s British Georgian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Yew

Antique Yew Wood Bachelors Chest of Drawers
Antique Yew Wood Bachelors Chest of Drawers
H 29.93 in W 25.2 in D 14.97 in
Antique Figured Walnut Chest of Drawers
Located in London, GB
A stunning antique figured walnut chest of drawers. This was made in England, it dates from around the 1900-1910 period. It is of superb quality and is a useful size, with lots of s...
Category

Antique Early 1900s British Queen Anne Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Walnut

Antique Figured Walnut Chest of Drawers
Antique Figured Walnut Chest of Drawers
H 33.47 in W 27.96 in D 18.12 in
18th Century American Two Over Three Chest of Drawers
Located in Milford, NH
A fine example of an 18th American chest of drawers in a two over three configuration, possibly a converted highboy top of Boston origin, with added finished molded top, original bra...
Category

Antique 18th Century American Federal Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Antique Victorian Style Wellington Chest of Drawers
Located in London, GB
A gorgeous antique Wellington chest of drawers. This was made in England, it dates from around the 1930’s. The quality is outstanding, this a very useful size, with lots of storage ...
Category

Vintage 1930s British Victorian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

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

18th Century Queen Anne Cherry Wood Two Part Highboy with Radial Fan Carving
Located in Milford, NH
A beautiful Queen Anne cherry wood two part highboy with a mahoganized finish, with a molded cornice surmounting an upper case with five graduated drawers, over a lower case with a s...
Category

Antique Mid-17th Century American Queen Anne Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

18th Century New England Highboy in Cherry with Fan Carving
Located in Milford, NH
A fine two part married cherry highboy in cherry with a molded cornice surmounting an upper case with two over four graduated drawer configuration, and an associated lower case with ...
Category

Antique 18th Century American Queen Anne Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Recent Sales

Walnut Highboy in the George 1st Style
Located in London, GB
A charming highboy or chest on stand with a brushing slide in the style of George 1st, circa 1900
Category

Antique Early 18th Century English George I Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Walnut

Queen Anne Desk, Burled Walnut Veneer, Original Brasses, American, circa 1740
Located in Providence, RI
highboy with sectioned inlays such as this is illustrated in Levy Galleries in search of excellence. The
Category

Antique 18th Century and Earlier American Queen Anne Desks

Materials

Walnut

Early Widdicomb Burled Walnut Highboy Dresser, circa 1920s
By Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique highboy chest of drawers by Widdicomb Furniture of Grand Rapids, circa 1920s
Category

Vintage 1920s American British Colonial Dressers

Materials

Walnut, Burl

Phenomenal Walnut Highboy
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Phenomenal walnut highboy circa early 1960's. This subtly curved example has large free form door
Category

Vintage 1960s American Cabinets

Materials

Wood

Phenomenal Walnut Highboy
Phenomenal Walnut Highboy
H 52 in W 39.5 in D 22 in
18th c. Walnut Pennsylvania Highboy
Located in Milford, NH
Pennsylvania highboy circa 1770-1800 with ball and claw feet, dentil molding and first brasses.
Category

Antique 18th Century and Earlier American Chippendale Commodes and Chest...

Materials

Brass

18th c. Walnut Pennsylvania Highboy
18th c. Walnut Pennsylvania Highboy
H 76.5 in W 46 in D 25.5 in
Highly Sculptural Walnut and Aluminum Highboy
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Highly sculptural walnut and aluminum highboy from Canada, circa 1971. This striking example has
Category

Vintage 1970s Wardrobes and Armoires

18th century English Queen Anne Highboy in Walnut
Located in Atlanta, GA
A fine Queen Anne highboy in walnut with moulded cornice, 9 sliding drawers and shaped apron. All
Category

Antique 18th Century and Earlier English Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Vintage French Provincial Style Walnut Tall Chest Dresser Highboy Chest on Chest
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Provincial Style Walnut Tall Chest Dresser Highboy Chest on Chest. Item features 5
Category

Early 20th Century French Provincial Dressers

Materials

Walnut

Ethan Allen Modern Walnut Six-Drawer Highboy Chest of Drawers
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous contemporary walnut six-drawer graduated chest of drawers By Ethan Allen USA
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Commodes and Chests of Dra...

Materials

Walnut

18th c Massachusetts Walnut Veneered Highboy with Crossbanded Drawers
Located in Milford, NH
A fine two part highboy with molded cornice surmounting an upper case with a two over three-drawer
Category

Antique Early 18th Century American Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

American Queen Anne Walnut Graduated Highboy, Massachusetts , Circa 1720
Located in Hollywood, SC
American Queen Anne walnut graduated highboy with a carved molded edge cornice, five upper case
Category

Antique 1720s American Queen Anne Secretaires

Materials

Brass, Silver

Vintage English Banded Burled Walnut Highboy w/Ball & Claw Base
Located in Chicago, IL
Deceiving vintage English highboy dresser on stand, constructed from antique parts in the last 40
Category

Late 20th Century English Chippendale Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Walnut

20th Century Catalan Spanish Carved Walnut Chest of Drawers, Highboy or Console
Located in Miami, FL
20th century Catalan Spanish carved walnut chest of drawers, highboy or console Country Provincial
Category

Early 20th Century Spanish Spanish Colonial Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Iron

George Nelson Herman Miller Thin Edge Highboy
By Herman Miller
Located in Phoenix, AZ
George Nelson for Herman Miller highboy dresser, circa early 1960s. This all original example has
Category

Vintage 1960s North American Mid-Century Modern Dressers

Materials

Walnut

George Nelson Herman Miller Thin Edge Highboy
George Nelson Herman Miller Thin Edge Highboy
H 40.88 in W 39.5 in D 18.5 in
Queen Anne Highboy Chest
Located in New Orleans, LA
early in the 18th century. Also known as the tallboy or highboy, these chests have been described as a
Category

Antique 19th Century English Queen Anne Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

Queen Anne Highboy Chest
Queen Anne Highboy Chest
H 84 in W 42.75 in D 26 in
Phenomenal Walnut Night Stands
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Phenomenal walnut night stands circa early 1960's. These subtly curved examples have large free
Category

Vintage 1960s American End Tables

Materials

Wood

Phenomenal Walnut Night Stands
Phenomenal Walnut Night Stands
H 24.25 in W 24 in D 17.75 in
Phenomenal Walnut Chest of Drawers
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Phenomenal walnut chest of drawers circa early 1960's. This subtly curved example has large free
Category

Vintage 1960s American Credenzas

Materials

Wood

Phenomenal Walnut Chest of Drawers
Phenomenal Walnut Chest of Drawers
H 32.5 in W 77 in D 22.25 in
Scandinavian Mid-Century Dresser in Walnut and Aluminum by Edmond Spence
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in Peabody, MA
Mid-century highboy (two-piece) dresser in walnut with aluminum grid inlay and pulls, and spun
Category

Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Dressers

Materials

Aluminum

George I Period Walnut High-boy, c. 1720
Located in Atlanta, GA
A George I Highboy, the exterior in highly-figured Walnut veneers, dating from the first quarter of
Category

Antique 18th Century and Earlier English Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Oak

Antique Original Philco Model 90 Baby Grand Walnut Burl Cathedral Tube Radio
By Radiobar Corp. and Philco
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique Philco Model 90 Baby Grand Super Heterodyne radio featuring a cathedral style walnut
Category

Vintage 1930s Art Deco Scientific Instruments

Materials

Walnut

18th Century English High Chest in Burled and Banded Walnut Veneer
Located in Milford, NH
An 18th century English high chest or highboy in burled and banded veneer, cabriole legs
Category

Antique 18th Century and Earlier English Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Burl

Antique 17th C William & Mary Oyster Veneered Lace Box
Located in London, GB
This is a fabulous antique William & Mary burr walnut and olive wood oyster veneered lace box
Category

Antique 1680s British Boxes

Antique 19th Century Bleached Walnut Highboy
Located in Houston, TX
Sun bleached blond walnut 19th century highboy with original oak lined drawers and simple clean
Category

Antique Early 19th Century English Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Walnut

Raymond Loewy for Mengel Walnut Highboy Dresser
By Raymond Loewy, Mengel Furniture Co.
Located in San Francisco, CA
A midcentury walnut five-drawer highboy dresser designed by Raymond Loewy for Mengel Furniture
Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers

Materials

Aluminum

Mid-Century Modern Walnut Highboy Dresser, 1950s
Located in Miami, FL
A striking vintage Mid-Century Modern walnut chest of drawers dating from the late 1950s to early
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dressers

Materials

Metal

Lane Acclaim Sculpted Pull Dovetail Walnut & Oak Highboy Dresser Drawer Chest
By Andre Bus, Lane Furniture
Located in Chattanooga, TN
oak on walnut with exaggerated dove-tail design has become sought after by collectors and is
Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers

Materials

Oak, Walnut

Antique Rhode Island William & Mary Highboy
Located in New York, NY
Handcrafted in the late 17th-early 18th century in Rhode Island, this two-part highboy typifies the
Category

Antique Late 17th Century American William and Mary Commodes and Chests ...

Materials

Mahogany, Walnut

Antique Chinoiserie George III Style Hand-Painted Highboy Chest Cabinet Cupboard
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Early 20th century chinoiserie / George III style cabinet. Item features beautiful hand gilt
Category

Early 20th Century American George III Cabinets

Materials

Walnut

Early 19th Century English Burled Walnut 3-Drawer Sideboard w/ Barley Twist Legs
Located in Milford, NH
A finely carved burled walnut sideboard or server with rectangular top featuring cross-banded
Category

Antique Early 19th Century English Sideboards

Materials

Brass

20th Century Catalan Spanish Carved Oak Chest of Drawers, Highboy or Console
Located in Miami, FL
20th century Catalan Spanish carved oak chest of drawers, highboy or console Country Provincial
Category

Early 20th Century Spanish Spanish Colonial Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Iron

Mid-Century Modern Walnut Triple Dresser
Located in Miami, FL
A gorgeous vintage American modern credenza dating from the late 1950s to early 1960s. The
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dressers

Materials

Metal

Mid-Century Modern Walnut Triple Dresser
Mid-Century Modern Walnut Triple Dresser
H 32.5 in W 77.5 in D 20.5 in
Tall Chest of Drawers by George Nakashima
By George Nakashima, Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An early modernist walnut highboy dresser of five (5) drawers with integrated pulls, a back splash
Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers

Materials

Walnut

Tall Chest of Drawers by George Nakashima
Tall Chest of Drawers by George Nakashima
H 53.75 in W 39.5 in D 21.5 in
Early 18th Century English Veneered Walnut Highboy or Chest on Stand
Located in Salisbury Wiltshire, GB
An early 18th century highboy or chest on stand, the upper section containing two short and three
Category

Antique 18th Century and Earlier British Georgian Commodes and Chests of...

Early 18th Century George I Period Antique Walnut Chest on Chest or Highboy
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
This extremely fine quality antique chest on chest (or 'tallboy'/'highboy') was made before
Category

Antique Early 18th Century English George I Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Walnut

Walnut Highboy Dresser c. 1920's
Located in Pasadena, CA
Dark walnut dresser c. 1920's with two pull-out drawers concealed by elaborately carved cabinet
Category

Early 20th Century American Dressers

Walnut Highboy Dresser c. 1920's
Walnut Highboy Dresser c. 1920's
H 49.5 in W 38.13 in D 21.5 in
1920's Carved and Burled Walnut Highboy Dresser
Located in Pasadena, CA
Nicely made 6-drawer dresser with wonderful carved details and decorative hardware, perfect for a Spanish style home.
Category

Early 20th Century American Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Walnut, Burl

Art Deco Walnut Highboy Chest of Drawers or Dresser
Located in Crockett, CA
Very nice Art Deco highboy dresser uses three different cuts of walnut, the case top and sides are
Category

Early 20th Century American Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

An Irish Georgian Highboy
Located in Dublin, IE
Height: 63" Width: 39" Depth: 21"
Category

Antique 18th Century and Earlier Irish Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Walnut

Handsome 1920's Highboy Dresser
Located in Pasadena, CA
Hard-to-find Spanish Revival dresser with handsome design and four ample drawers for storage. Original brass hardware. Perfect height to accomodate displayed objects or mirror above.
Category

Early 20th Century American Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Walnut

Handsome 1920's Highboy Dresser
Handsome 1920's Highboy Dresser
H 48.5 in W 37.75 in D 19.5 in
An Early English Walnut Chest on Stand
Located in Woodbury, CT
An 18th century English walnut chest on frame or highboy with cabriole legs ending in ball and
Category

Antique 18th Century and Earlier English Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Walnut

Carved Highboy Dresser, c. 1920's
Located in Pasadena, CA
Beautifully carved tall dresser with five drawers and upper cabinet compartment concealing two additional drawers.
Category

Early 20th Century Dressers

Materials

Walnut

Carved Highboy Dresser, c. 1920's
Carved Highboy Dresser, c. 1920's
H 51 in W 41 in D 21 in
Original 1920's Highboy Dresser
Located in Pasadena, CA
Handsome walnut dresser with five drawers, original finish and hardware c. 1920's; charming carved
Category

Early 20th Century American Dressers

Original 1920's Highboy Dresser
Original 1920's Highboy Dresser
H 43 in W 34.75 in D 19 in
Queen Anne Walnut Tray Top Tea Table, probably New Hampshire, c.1730-60
Located in Providence, RI
highboy bases. (See the Queen Anne Tiger Maple highboy in our private collection.) Also impressive are the
Category

Antique 18th Century and Earlier American Queen Anne Card Tables and Tea...

Materials

Walnut

Art Deco Walnut Nightstand or End Table
Located in Crockett, CA
Very nice Art Deco walnut nightstand with an open space below one drawer. It is accented by a
Category

Early 20th Century American Art Deco Night Stands

Materials

Brass, Copper

Art Deco Walnut Nightstand or End Table
Art Deco Walnut Nightstand or End Table
H 24 in W 19.25 in D 13.25 in
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Early Walnut Highboy For Sale on 1stDibs

Find many varieties of an authentic early walnut highboy available at 1stDibs. An early walnut highboy — often made from wood, walnut and metal — can elevate any home. Your living room may not be complete without an early walnut highboy — find older editions for sale from the 18th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 20th Century. Each early walnut highboy bearing Georgian or Art Deco hallmarks is very popular. Many designers have produced at least one well-made early walnut highboy over the years, but those crafted by Widdicomb Furniture Co. are often thought to be among the most beautiful.

How Much is a Early Walnut Highboy?

An early walnut highboy can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price 1stDibs is $6,350, while the lowest priced sells for $1,795 and the highest can go for as much as $30,097.

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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