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German Shrunk

Original Painted German Shrunk Armoire with Four Seasons, Dated 1802
Original Painted German Shrunk Armoire with Four Seasons, Dated 1802

Original Painted German Shrunk Armoire with Four Seasons, Dated 1802

Located in Round Top, TX

This German shrunk or armoire still maintains the quality and details of the original hand-painted

Category

Antique 19th Century German Folk Art Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Wood, Paint

Early 19th Century Antique Original Painted Break Down Armoire from Germany
Early 19th Century Antique Original Painted Break Down Armoire from Germany

Early 19th Century Antique Original Painted Break Down Armoire from Germany

Located in Round Top, TX

This impressive original painted large armoire or "German Shrunk" was built in the traditional

Category

Antique Early 19th Century German Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Wood, Paint

19t Century German Painted Two Door Armoire / Shrunk
19t Century German Painted Two Door Armoire / Shrunk

19t Century German Painted Two Door Armoire / Shrunk

Located in Sarasota, FL

Handpainted German cabinet from the 1800s. Deep blues and reds are the main colors. Great vintage

Category

Antique Mid-18th Century German Folk Art Cabinets

Materials

Wood

Early 19th Century Hand-Painted German Two-Door Armoire Shrunk
Early 19th Century Hand-Painted German Two-Door Armoire Shrunk

Early 19th Century Hand-Painted German Two-Door Armoire Shrunk

Located in Round Top, TX

Early 19th Century Hand-Painted German Two-Door Armoire Shrunk Early 19th-century German pine two

Category

Antique Early 19th Century German Folk Art Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Wood

Recent Sales

Vintage German Mid-Century Cabinet German Shrunk
Vintage German Mid-Century Cabinet German Shrunk

Vintage German Mid-Century Cabinet German Shrunk

Located in Pasadena, TX

Lovely example of Mid-Century German design. Maple exterior with mahogany interiors. Can be used as

Category

Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Cabinets

Materials

Glass, Oak

MCM Teak Veneer German Shrunk Wall Unit Secretary Liquor Cabinet 2-Piece
MCM Teak Veneer German Shrunk Wall Unit Secretary Liquor Cabinet 2-Piece

MCM Teak Veneer German Shrunk Wall Unit Secretary Liquor Cabinet 2-Piece

Located in Topeka, KS

Handsome Mid-Century Modern German shrunk, wall unit, secretary, or liquor cabinet in beautiful

Category

Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Cabinets

Materials

Grasscloth, Paint, Teak

Antique Large "Break Down" Armoire Shrunk From Germany with Original Polychrome
Antique Large "Break Down" Armoire Shrunk From Germany with Original Polychrome

Antique Large "Break Down" Armoire Shrunk From Germany with Original Polychrome

Located in Round Top, TX

This amazing original painted large armoire or "German Shrunk" was built in the traditional manner

Category

Antique Early 19th Century German Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Wood

19th Century Original Painted German Two Door Armoire Shrunk
19th Century Original Painted German Two Door Armoire Shrunk

19th Century Original Painted German Two Door Armoire Shrunk

Located in Round Top, TX

This lovely painted armoire or German "Shrunk" still maintains the quality and details of the

Category

Antique 19th Century German Folk Art Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Wood

Antique Original Red Painted One Door Armoire Cabinet from Germany
Antique Original Red Painted One Door Armoire Cabinet from Germany

Antique Original Red Painted One Door Armoire Cabinet from Germany

Located in Round Top, TX

attached were traditional elements as well. This German shrunk is sold as is, how we found it in Europe

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century German Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Wood, Paint

Midcentury German Modern Wilhelm Guth Mobelfabrik Teak and Birch Hutch Sideboard
Midcentury German Modern Wilhelm Guth Mobelfabrik Teak and Birch Hutch Sideboard

Midcentury German Modern Wilhelm Guth Mobelfabrik Teak and Birch Hutch Sideboard

By Arne Vodder, Kai Kristiansen

Located in Chattanooga, TN

This is not a typical Rockabilly German Shrunk cabinet. This piece, although authentically German

Category

Vintage 1950s German Mid-Century Modern Credenzas

Materials

Teak, Birch

German Original Painted Armoire/Shrunk Dated 1810 With Birds
German Original Painted Armoire/Shrunk Dated 1810 With Birds

German Original Painted Armoire/Shrunk Dated 1810 With Birds

Located in Round Top, TX

This armoire displays exceptional German styling of the period and is monogramed/dated "AKB 1810

Category

Antique 19th Century German Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Wood

Rare Vintage German Qualitasmobel Mcm 1950s Shrunk Glass Shelf Dry Bar Cabinet
Rare Vintage German Qualitasmobel Mcm 1950s Shrunk Glass Shelf Dry Bar Cabinet

Rare Vintage German Qualitasmobel Mcm 1950s Shrunk Glass Shelf Dry Bar Cabinet

By Karl Springer

Located in Jensen Beach, FL

An extremely rare stunning German Mid-Century Modern dry bar or entertainment cabinet by

Category

Vintage 1950s German Mid-Century Modern Cabinets

Materials

Hardwood

19th Century Original Painted Pine Armoire German Shrunk with Birds
19th Century Original Painted Pine Armoire German Shrunk with Birds

19th Century Original Painted Pine Armoire German Shrunk with Birds

Located in Round Top, TX

armoire. This original painted "German Shrunk" was built in the traditional manner to "break down" into 2

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century German Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Pine, Paint

Large Original Painted "Break Down" Armoire Dated 1793 from Germany
Large Original Painted "Break Down" Armoire Dated 1793 from Germany

Large Original Painted "Break Down" Armoire Dated 1793 from Germany

Located in Round Top, TX

is the case with this lovely original hand-painted armoire or shrunk from Germany. Beautiful floral

Category

Antique Late 18th Century German Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Wood

Modernist Matthew Koch German Shrunk Style Wall Unit
Modernist Matthew Koch German Shrunk Style Wall Unit

Modernist Matthew Koch German Shrunk Style Wall Unit

By Matthew Koch

Located in Southfield, MI

Giant teakwood German shrunk style wall unit, dating to the 1960s. An elegant design by Matthew

Category

Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

1950's Mid-Century Modern German Shrunk Cabinet
1950's Mid-Century Modern German Shrunk Cabinet

1950's Mid-Century Modern German Shrunk Cabinet

Located in Richmond, VA

Your storage options are endless in this fabulous, 1950s space-age German shrunk cabinet. Includes

Category

20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Cabinets

Materials

Glass, Mirror, Oak

People Also Browsed

Pair of Italian Venetian Faux Marble Top Painted Cabinets
Pair of Italian Venetian Faux Marble Top Painted Cabinets

Pair of Italian Venetian Faux Marble Top Painted Cabinets

$18,800 / set

H 41.75 in W 51 in D 23.25 in

Pair of Italian Venetian Faux Marble Top Painted Cabinets

Located in Rio Vista, CA

Spectacular pair of large 19th century Italian painted cabinets or chests painted in the Florentine Venetian style with bold neoclassical Greek key motifs. Each case has a faux-marbl...

Category

Antique 19th Century Italian Neoclassical Cabinets

Materials

Wood

Pair of 70s Style Italian Bamboo and Brass Table Lamps
Pair of 70s Style Italian Bamboo and Brass Table Lamps

Pair of 70s Style Italian Bamboo and Brass Table Lamps

Located in New York, NY

Monumental size Bamboo lamps. Crafted in Italy and made to order, these lamps are modern and chic. Production lead time 2-4 weeks. Base diameter 8 inches, hat diameter 20 inches, he...

Category

2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

"Vigne Fleurie" Signed Limited Edition Art Print by Christiane Lemieux - 30"x40"
"Vigne Fleurie" Signed Limited Edition Art Print by Christiane Lemieux - 30"x40"

"Vigne Fleurie" Signed Limited Edition Art Print by Christiane Lemieux - 30"x40"

Located in New York, NY

"Vigne Fleurie" is an exquisite limited edition fine art print that offers a modernist interpretation of a flowering vine set against a lush green colorfield. Each print is a view of...

Category

2010s American Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

Paper

Orbitale Brass Chandelier 5 Rotating Balanced Arms, All Brass and Natural Patina
Orbitale Brass Chandelier 5 Rotating Balanced Arms, All Brass and Natural Patina

Orbitale Brass Chandelier 5 Rotating Balanced Arms, All Brass and Natural Patina

By Silvio Piattelli

Located in Tavarnelle val di Pesa, Florence

After many requests of customization in all brass and patina of the orbitale chandelier I decided to go ahead with a separate listing. This all brass version is possible as the orbi...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary European Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Brass

Sculptural form brass day bed by Osvaldo Borsani, Arredamento Borsani, circa 1958
Sculptural form brass day bed by Osvaldo Borsani, Arredamento Borsani, circa 1958

Sculptural form brass day bed by Osvaldo Borsani, Arredamento Borsani, circa 1958

By Arredamenti Borsani, Osvaldo Borsani, Arnaldo Pomodoro

Located in bergen op zoom, NL

Beautiful and important sculpturakl form brass single bed or day bed circa 1958-1963 by Osvaldo Borsani for 'Arredamento Borsani', Varedo , Italy. The small series of Borsani b...

Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Brass

Custom Made Dining Banquette Bench Upholstered or Slip Covered COM
Custom Made Dining Banquette Bench Upholstered or Slip Covered COM

Custom Made Dining Banquette Bench Upholstered or Slip Covered COM

By Bloom Home Inc

Located in Old Town Orange, CA

Custom made to order the Bloom Banquette can be done in any of our linens, performance fabrics, or COM. Can be made to any length, depth, and height. Leg finishes are also available ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Benches

Materials

Linen, Foam, Wood

Giltwood "Confidente" Large Sofa in the Louis XV Style made by La Maison London
Giltwood "Confidente" Large Sofa in the Louis XV Style made by La Maison London

Giltwood "Confidente" Large Sofa in the Louis XV Style made by La Maison London

By La Maison London

Located in London, Park Royal

An elegant and impressive large Louis XV style confidante sofa which has been hand carved and gilded using traditional methods and materials to achieve an authentic period finish. Th...

Category

2010s British Louis XVI Sofas

Materials

Wood, Giltwood

Purple / Blue Fluorite Mineral Specimen – Xiayang Town, China
Purple / Blue Fluorite Mineral Specimen – Xiayang Town, China

Purple / Blue Fluorite Mineral Specimen – Xiayang Town, China

Located in Edison, NJ

This breathtaking specimen comes from a distinctive group of fluorites that have affectionately been nicknamed, “tanzanite fluorite” for their gemlike aesthetics and color-shifting a...

Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Chinese Natural Specimens

Materials

Stone, Multi-gemstone

Heidi Fournier Cream Floral Ceramic Vase, 2000s
Heidi Fournier Cream Floral Ceramic Vase, 2000s

Heidi Fournier Cream Floral Ceramic Vase, 2000s

By Royal Copenhagen, Upsala Ekeby, Lauritz Adolph Hjorth, Kähler, Höganäs Keramik

Located in Copenhagen, DK

Contemporary Heidi Fournier vase with hand-painted floral decorations on shiny cream colored base. Signed by the artist. Denmark, 2010s.

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Vases

Materials

Ceramic, Pottery, Stoneware

Antique Swedish WH Cabinet
Antique Swedish WH Cabinet

Antique Swedish WH Cabinet

$7,200

H 83.08 in W 45.28 in D 18.51 in

Antique Swedish WH Cabinet

Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba

This antique painted cabinet from Sweden dates back to the 19th century. While its elegant arched crown and curved door decorations show influences from the French Rococo style, its ...

Category

Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Cupboards

Materials

Wood

Antique Blue Painted Cupboard Dated 1850
Antique Blue Painted Cupboard Dated 1850

Antique Blue Painted Cupboard Dated 1850

$5,021

H 68.9 in W 54.34 in D 22.84 in

Antique Blue Painted Cupboard Dated 1850

Located in Vo', Veneto

Antique Blue Painted Cupboard dated 1850 Period: dated 1850 Origin: Tyrolean area, Germany Wood type: Fir Height: 175 cm 68.89 in Width: 125 cm (138 cm with frame) 49.21 in (54.33...

Category

Antique 1850s German Other Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Fir

1930s Pair of French Art Deco Lounge Chairs in Blue Upholstery
1930s Pair of French Art Deco Lounge Chairs in Blue Upholstery

1930s Pair of French Art Deco Lounge Chairs in Blue Upholstery

$12,700 / set

H 28.75 in W 39.38 in D 37.01 in

1930s Pair of French Art Deco Lounge Chairs in Blue Upholstery

Located in Waalwijk, NL

Pair of lounge chairs, fabric, beech, France, 1930s These club chairs are a quintessential example of French Art Deco, a style that favored assertive geometry and bold, sculptural ...

Category

Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Lounge Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Beech

The Forsyth Mushroom Pouf in Dedar 'Schwarzwald'
The Forsyth Mushroom Pouf in Dedar 'Schwarzwald'

The Forsyth Mushroom Pouf in Dedar 'Schwarzwald'

$3,850 / item

H 20 in W 22 in D 22 in

The Forsyth Mushroom Pouf in Dedar 'Schwarzwald'

Located in SAINT LOUIS, MO

Our Mushroom Pouf is designed by Forsyth and handcrafted in Saint Louis. A cute decorative piece for any room adding color and a bit of whimsy. The perfect ottoman or extra seat. Eac...

Category

2010s American Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Velvet

Bertu Counter Stool, Cicely Modern Sheepskin Counter Stool, White Oak
Bertu Counter Stool, Cicely Modern Sheepskin Counter Stool, White Oak

Bertu Counter Stool, Cicely Modern Sheepskin Counter Stool, White Oak

By Bertu Furniture

Located in Oak Harbor, OH

Bertu Counter Stool, Cicely Modern Sheepskin Counter Stool, White Oak This Modern Cicely Counter Stool with Sheepskin Seat is beautifully constructed from solid white oak in Ohio, ...

Category

2010s American Modern Stools

Materials

Sheepskin, Wood, Oak

Pine Two Door Vertigo or Vertical Cabinet
Pine Two Door Vertigo or Vertical Cabinet

Pine Two Door Vertigo or Vertical Cabinet

$1,895

H 69 in W 47.5 in D 20 in

Pine Two Door Vertigo or Vertical Cabinet

Located in Baltimore, MD

28VJL54 Pine Two Door Vertigo or Vertical Cabinet 47.5”Wx20”Dx69”H France, circa 1910 $1795.00 This lovely piece is relatively large for a Vertigo, translated as “Vertical Cabinet, a...

Category

Early 20th Century French French Provincial Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Pine

Rare Pierre-Adrien Ekman Hand Painted Folding Screen / Room Divider
Rare Pierre-Adrien Ekman Hand Painted Folding Screen / Room Divider

Rare Pierre-Adrien Ekman Hand Painted Folding Screen / Room Divider

Located in Forney, TX

An extraordinarily scarce French hand-painted oil on canvas wooden three panel folding screen - room divider; Signed P.A. Ekman (Pierre-Adrien Ekman, France, 1904-1993), fabulous Tro...

Category

Mid-20th Century French Classical Greek Screens and Room Dividers

Materials

Wood, Paint

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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.

Questions About German Shrunk
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    A German Schrank is a type of case good that features double doors. Normally, the chests come apart, so that they can be easily moved. As a result, young women typically used them to store items they would need for married life. You'll find a variety of German furniture on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    A German shrunk refers to a decorative piece of furniture that combines a clothing wardrobe with cabinets. Some German shrunks can be separated to create multiple storage units. However, it is common for German shrunks to remain one large piece of furniture. Browse a selection of German shrunks on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    German shrunks are generally crafted with a high-quality wood, such as oak or teak. Known for their resistant nature, German shrunks are highly coveted furniture pieces ideal for storing and displaying your favorite items. Find a selection of German shrunks on 1stDibs.

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