$1,800
H 35.24 in W 28.94 in D 13.98 in
Japanese Antique Storage Shelves / Shoe Cabinet / 1900-1940s / Wabi-sabi
Located in Shizukuishi-cho, Iwate-gun, Iwate Prefecture
This is an old Japanese storage shelf. It is made of cedar and is thought to have originally been used as a shoe cabinet.
Wood, Cedar
Sold
H 35.83 in W 28.55 in D 13.78 in
Japanese Antique Cabinet 1900s-1940s / Shoe Cabinet Tansu Sideboard Wabi Sabi
Located in Chōsei District Nagara, JP
This is an old wooden cabinet made in Japan during the early Shōwa period (1900s–1940s). Crafted primarily from warm Japanese cedar (sugi), with delicate bamboo detailing, the piece ...
Tin
Contemporary Japanese Style Getabako Shoe Cabinet from Thailand
Located in Pasadena, TX
Contemporary Japanese style Getabako shoe cabinet from Thailand Roomy cabinet with metal-studded sliding doors and a pair of drawers below.
Teak
Sold
H 35.44 in W 28.94 in D 13.59 in
Japanese Antique Storage Shelves / Shoe Cabinet / 1900-1940s / Wabi-sabi
Located in Shizukuishi-cho, Iwate-gun, Iwate Prefecture
This is an old Japanese storage shelf. It is made of cedar and is thought to have originally been used as a shoe cabinet.
Wood, Cedar
Japanese Vintage Workshop Shelf, Mid Showa Period '1940-'
Located in Hitachiomiya-shi, 08
This wooden open shelf was crafted in the Mid Showa Period'1940-'. This simple yet striking open shelf is made from heavy pine wood, with some parts crafted from cedar, giving it a ...
Cedar, Pine
$1,000
H 20.28 in W 22.84 in D 14.38 in
Japanese Antique Drawer / Storage Tansu / 1912s / Wabi-Sabi Mingei
Located in Shizukuishi-cho, Iwate-gun, Iwate Prefecture
This is an antique Japanese-made drawer. It is made from cedar, and the date "Meiji 45 (1912s)" is written in ink on the bottom of the drawer at the time. Through years of use, it ...
Iron
$2,000
H 35.71 in W 35.52 in D 15.16 in
Japanese Keyaki 3-Shaku Mizuya Cabinet with Sliding Doors, Taisho Period, c.1920
Located in Hitachiomiya-shi, 08
This Japanese mizuya cabinet was crafted during the Taisho period, circa 1920. At approximately three shaku wide (about 90 cm / 35.4 inches), this dimension represents a traditional...
Brass
Japanese Antique Drawer 1860s-1900s / Storage Tansu Wabisabi
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is a very old Japanese small drawer storage. The furniture is from the Meiji period (1860s-1900s). This is a "Shonai chest" chest made in the Tohoku region of Japan. It is chara...
Cedar
$2,975Sale Price|30% Off
H 38 in W 90.5 in D 19.5 in
Japanese Elm Tansu Step Cabinet Chest Cupboard Double Sided Fretwork 90"
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage Meiji style Tansu step chest, etagere or storage cabinet. Made from beautiful elm with traditional staircase form. The cabinet is double sided with intricate pierced fretwor...
Brass
$1,200
H 17.72 in W 33.86 in D 16.15 in
Japanese Antique Drawer / Storage Tansu / 1900-1930s / Wabi-Sabi Mingei
Located in Shizukuishi-cho, Iwate-gun, Iwate Prefecture
A rare and thoughtfully designed early 20th-century Japanese Sugi (Cedar) chest, featuring a curated layout of nine drawers in two distinct, functional sizes. Crafted during the tra...
Iron
$4,000
H 21.66 in W 43.71 in D 33.47 in
Japanese Antique Massive Primitive Table 1900s-1940s / Coffee Table Wabisabi
By Axel Vervoordt
Located in Chōsei District Nagara, JP
This is an antique massive primitive-style coffee table made in Japan. Its low, grounded form and overwhelming sense of volume—seemingly carved from a single solid mass—bring a quiet...
Wood
On Hold|$2,000
H 34.26 in Dm 20.87 in
Japanese Antique Large Paper-Covered Pottery Vase 1860s-1900s / Vessel Wabisabi
Located in Chōsei District Nagara, JP
This is a large antique Japanese ceramic storage jar covered with paper. Its powerful, substantial form combined with the remaining traces of paper on the surface gives it a sculptur...
Pottery, Paper
Apothecary Console Table
Located in New York, NY
A handsome antique general store counter featuring five small drawers above open cubby compartments. Crafted from solid wood with a warm, worn patina. The black metal drawer pulls an...
Fruitwood
$1,500
H 16.93 in Dm 20.87 in
Japanese Antique Black Primitive Coffee Table 1860s-1900s / Side Table Wabisabi
Located in Chōsei District Nagara, JP
This is an antique Japanese primitive-style coffee table finished in deep black. Although it stands quietly, it possesses a powerful presence the moment it is placed within a space, ...
Wood
Vintage medical cabinet, 1970’s
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Medicine cabinet (wall unit) from a hospital. Made of iron and glass that is clamped into the steel by a rubber strip. This cabinet comes from the 70s and was produced in Hungary. Wi...
Iron
$560Sale Price|30% Off
H 25.99 in W 21.66 in D 1.58 in
Japanese Antique Small Door Wall Decoration 1860s-1900s / Abstract Art Wabi Sabi
Located in Chōsei District Nagara, JP
This is an old small window frame made in Japan. It was originally used as a traditional Japanese mud wall fixture. It dates back to the Meiji period (1860s-1900s) and has been in us...
Bamboo, Cedar
Japanese Wooden block chair /wabi-sabi chair / private chair /
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This chair is crafted from a tree trunk left in its natural form. Zelkova wood is used for the material. Although the surface is finished in black with cashew paint, the beautiful ...
Wood
$4,500
H 34.06 in W 65.75 in D 20.08 in
Japanese Antique Large Black Tansu 1860s-1900s / Sideboard Wabisabi
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This exceptional Japanese mizuya tansu dates to the Meiji period, circa 1860s to 1900s, and is crafted from solid cedar wood. It embodies the quiet refinement of traditional Japanese...
Iron
$2,000
H 24.61 in W 30.71 in D 14.57 in
Japanese Antique Black Drawer Chest 1860s-1900s / Tansu Sideboard Wabi Sabi
Located in Chōsei District Nagara, JP
This is an old Japanese black drawer cabinet. Quietly standing in space, it brings a deep sense of balance and quiet tension without ever appearing overly assertive. It is believed ...
Iron
Japanese Antique Rustic Coffee Table 1860s-1900s / Wabi Sabi
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
Very old rustic style coffee table made in Japan. This piece dates to the Meiji period (1860s–1900s) and is carved from a massive single block of zelkova wood, a material long prized...
Wood
Although traditionally used in the bedroom to store garments that would not be hung in a closet, an antique or vintage cabinet can easily find a purpose in rooms throughout your entire house.
The world's first storage cabinets, reportedly constructed in Renaissance-era Europe, were demonstrative of excellence in carpentry and the work of master carvers. These robust bureaus or sophisticated chests of drawers were typically built from common woods, such as oak or walnut. Although they were fairly uniform in structure and lacked the bright colors of modern-day furniture, case pieces and storage cabinets that date from the 18th century and earlier were often found in the homes of nobility.
Their intricate carvings and various embellishments — adornments made from ivory, ornate lacquer work and, later, glass shelvings — reflect the elegance with which these decorative furnishings were associated. Given its valuable purpose and the beauty of the early furnishings' designs, the storage cabinet is an investment that will never go out of style.
The practical design that defines the earliest storage cabinets has inspired the creation of household must-haves, like minimalist drink trolleys and marble wood bookcases. From hiding outdoor gear in the mudroom to decluttering your kitchen with a tall kitchen pantry cabinet, these versatile furnishings have now become available in enough sizes, styles and colors to accommodate any space. After all, these aren't your run-of-the-mill filing cabinets.
A sophisticated storage cabinet — wood storage cabinets with doors and shelves, for example — can serve as a room divider when necessary, while the right vintage wall unit or floor-to-ceiling cabinetry solutions can seamlessly become part of any space without disrupting the energy of the room. And although you may hide items away in its drawers, bookworms might prefer a storage cabinet with open shelving for displaying favorite books or other media.
One-of-a-kind solutions for the modern consumer abound, but enthusiasts of understated, classical beauty may turn to Baroque-style storage cabinets. Elsewhere, admirers of mid-century modernism looking to make a statement with their case pieces will warm to the dark woods and clean lines of vintage storage cabinets by Paul McCobb, Florence Knoll or Edward Wormley.
Sometimes the best renovation is a reorganization. If you're ready to organize and elevate your space, a luxury storage cabinet is the addition you need.
Find a variety of vintage and antique storage cabinets on 1stDibs, including unique Art Deco storage cabinets, chinoiserie cabinets and more.