French Provincial Painted Secretary Desk
Vintage 1970s American French Provincial Desks
Brass
Early 20th Century Unknown French Provincial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Paint
Mid-20th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Wood, Paint
Vintage 1940s French French Provincial Cabinets
Glass, Wood, Paint
Antique Late 19th Century French French Provincial Secretaires
Wood
Vintage 1940s French French Provincial Secretaires
Brass, Wire
People Also Browsed
20th Century Hollywood Regency Vanities
Mirror
Mid-20th Century French French Provincial Cabinets
Brass
Late 20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Secretaires
Wood
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Vanities
Wood
20th Century Chinoiserie Secretaires
Wood
2010s British Louis XVI Beds and Bed Frames
Wood
Vintage 1940s Rococo Revival Secretaires
Metal
Vintage 1930s Italian Georgian Secretaires
Wood, Paint
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Glass, Teak
Antique 1890s Italian Neoclassical Revival Secretaires
Walnut
Antique Mid-19th Century German Louis Philippe Secretaires
Brass
Antique Mid-19th Century Italian Rococo Secretaires
Glass, Wood
Vintage 1970s Unknown British Colonial Wardrobes and Armoires
Bamboo, Cane
Antique Late 18th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Antique Early 19th Century Italian Baroque Secretaires
Wood
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Wardrobes and Armoires
Brass
Recent Sales
21st Century and Contemporary European French Provincial Desks
Wood
Antique 1850s French Louis XV Desks
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Italian French Provincial Desks
Metal
Vintage 1970s American French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Early 20th Century French Provincial Secretaires
Glass, Wood
Antique Late 19th Century French French Provincial Secretaires
Wood, Paint
Antique Mid-19th Century French French Provincial Secretaires
Oak, Paint
Vintage 1970s American French Provincial Dressers
Brass
Vintage 1950s French French Provincial Secretaires
Leather, Walnut
20th Century Unknown Rococo Secretaires
Brass, Steel
Antique Late 19th Century French Victorian Vitrines
Pine
Antique 19th Century European French Provincial Secretaires
Wood, Paint
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.