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Antique Linen Press
Antique Linen Press

Antique Linen Press

By Thomas Sheraton

Located in Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire

A fine George III Sheraton period oval panelled mahogany linen press of a good color and patina: The cupboard with three cedar lined slides and oak lined drawers below, fine carved d...

Category

1780s English Georgian Antique Linen Presses

Materials

Wood, Mahogany

18th Century Oak Linen Press
18th Century Oak Linen Press

18th Century Oak Linen Press

Located in Brussels, Brussels

a fine 18th-century oak linen press . This superb linen press or cupboard is composed of a lower section with seven drawers and an upper section with two doors.

Category

18th Century British Georgian Antique Linen Presses

Materials

Oak

Large Dutch Linen Press
Large Dutch Linen Press

Large Dutch Linen Press

Located in Woodbury, CT

Large Dutch, pale oak linen press with applique mouldings on recessed panel doors, half column sides with ebonized treatment and having brass mounts over deeply fluted and chamfered ...

Category

19th Century Dutch Antique Linen Presses

Materials

Oak

Georgian Mahogany Linen Press
Georgian Mahogany Linen Press

Georgian Mahogany Linen Press

Located in Bedfordshire, GB

A very good quality 18th century George III period Mahogany linen press with dentil cornice and Superbly figured pair of oval panelled doors with Satinwood crossbanded decoration enc...

Category

Mid-18th Century English George III Antique Linen Presses

Materials

Mahogany

19thC English Mahogany Linen Press
19thC English Mahogany Linen Press

19thC English Mahogany Linen Press

Located in Staffordshire, GB

circa 1870 19thC English Mahogany Linen Press sku 1992 Together W132 x D65 x H183 cm Base W123 x D61 x H66 cm Top W132 x D65 x H117 cm Weight 80 kg

Category

19th Century Antique Linen Presses

Materials

Mahogany

19thC English Pine Linen Press
19thC English Pine Linen Press

19thC English Pine Linen Press

Located in Staffordshire, GB

circa 1890 19thC English Pine Linen Press sku 1104 Lock & Keys (2 parts) W120 x D56 x H219 cm Base: W116 x D54 x H97cm Top: W120 x D56 x H122cm

Category

1880s English Antique Linen Presses

Materials

Pine

Small 18th Century Oak Linen Press
Small 18th Century Oak Linen Press

Small 18th Century Oak Linen Press

Located in Brussels, Brussels

a fine 18th-century oak linen press. Small and uncommon model. This is our first piece with these dimensions.

Category

18th Century British Georgian Antique Linen Presses

Materials

Oak

19th C English Pine Linen Press
19th C English Pine Linen Press

19th C English Pine Linen Press

Located in Staffordshire, GB

circa 1870 19thC English Pine Linen Press W128 x D57 x H204cm Base W119 x D51 x H102cm Top W128 x D57 x H102cm.

Category

19th Century Antique Linen Presses

Materials

Pine

English Mahogany Linen Press. Circa 1820
English Mahogany Linen Press. Circa 1820

English Mahogany Linen Press. Circa 1820

Located in Charleston, SC

English mahogany one drawer linen press with lower two door cabinet revealing original pull out shelves, and terminating on stylized bun feet.

Category

19th Century British Antique Linen Presses

Small 19thC English Pine Linen Press
Small 19thC English Pine Linen Press

Small 19thC English Pine Linen Press

Located in Staffordshire, GB

circa 1880 Small 19thC English Pine Linen Press W124 x D56 x H213 cm Base W121 x D54 x H104 cm Top W124 x D56 x H109 cm.

Category

1870s English Antique Linen Presses

Materials

Pine

English George III Walnut Linen Press
English George III Walnut Linen Press

English George III Walnut Linen Press

Located in Staffordshire, GB

circa 1800 English George III Walnut Linen Press sku 2157 Together W130 x D62 x H210 cm Base W130 x D62 x H89 cm Top W130 x D62 x H121 cm Weight 116Kg

Category

19th Century Antique Linen Presses

Materials

Walnut

Large English Regency Mahogany Linen Press
Large English Regency Mahogany Linen Press

Large English Regency Mahogany Linen Press

Located in Staffordshire, GB

circa 1800 Large English Regency Mahogany Linen Press sku 1933 Base W143 x D65 x H100 cm Top W153 x D71 x H121 cm Together W153 x D71 x H221 cm Weight 136 kg

Category

19th Century Antique Linen Presses

Materials

Mahogany

19thC English Oak Painted Linen Press
19thC English Oak Painted Linen Press

19thC English Oak Painted Linen Press

Located in Staffordshire, GB

circa 1870 19thC English Oak Painted Linen Press Dark Blue sku 2135 Together W145 x D58 x H207 cm Base W134 x D51 x H94.5 cm Top W145 x D58 x H112.5 cm Weight 115Kg

Category

19th Century Antique Linen Presses

Materials

Oak

18th c. Dutch Bleached Oak Linen Press
18th c. Dutch Bleached Oak Linen Press

18th c. Dutch Bleached Oak Linen Press

Located in Dallas, TX

This antique Dutch Linen Press is made from high-quality oak and featuring a simple yet elegant design, this linen press showcases the craftsmanship of the Dutch golden age.

Category

18th Century Dutch Antique Linen Presses

Materials

Oak

Louis XIV Inspired French Linen Press
Louis XIV Inspired French Linen Press

Louis XIV Inspired French Linen Press

Located in New Orleans, LA

Enhanced by a beautiful rouge marble top, this elegant linen press is an excellent example of late 19th century French furniture craftsmanship, circa 1880.

Category

19th Century French Louis XIV Antique Linen Presses

Materials

Bronze

A Fine 18th Century Mahogany Linen Press
A Fine 18th Century Mahogany Linen Press

A Fine 18th Century Mahogany Linen Press

Located in Lincolnshire, GB

An 18th century mahogany linen press with finely carved details in the manner of Giles Grendy, superb colour and patina to the butt veneered drawers and shaped panelled doors.

Category

18th Century English Antique Linen Presses

Materials

Mahogany

English Pine Linen Press, 19th Century
English Pine Linen Press, 19th Century

English Pine Linen Press, 19th Century

Located in Savannah, GA

English pine linen press, circa 19th century, with bleached surface and green painted interior.

Category

19th Century English Antique Linen Presses

Materials

Pine

Large English Early 19thC Mahogany Linen Press
Large English Early 19thC Mahogany Linen Press

Large English Early 19thC Mahogany Linen Press

Located in Staffordshire, GB

circa 1800 Large English Early 19thC Mahogany Linen Press sku 1962 Together W145 x D64 x H220 cm Base W139 x D62 x H103 cm Top W145 x D65 x H117 cm Weight 162 kg

Category

19th Century Antique Linen Presses

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century English Pine Linen Press
19th Century English Pine Linen Press

19th Century English Pine Linen Press

Located in High Point, NC

Early 19th century pine linen press from England. The top of the case has a stately crown molding over simple sides and two paneled doors in the front.

Category

Early 19th Century English Early Victorian Antique Linen Presses

Materials

Pine

19th Century Yew Wood and Mahogany Linen Press
19th Century Yew Wood and Mahogany Linen Press

19th Century Yew Wood and Mahogany Linen Press

Located in Stamford, CT

A late 19th century yew wood and figured mahogany linen press.

Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Linen Presses

Materials

Mahogany, Yew

Georgian English Arched Mahogany Inlaid Linen Press
Georgian English Arched Mahogany Inlaid Linen Press

Georgian English Arched Mahogany Inlaid Linen Press

Located in Staffordshire, GB

circa 1800 Georgian English Arched Mahogany Inlaid Linen Press An exceptional example sku 2090 Together W127 x D54 x H205.5 cm Base W127 x D54.5 x H91.5 cm Top W124 x D54 x H114 cm W...

Category

19th Century Antique Linen Presses

Materials

Mahogany

Early George III Mahogany Low Linen Press
Early George III Mahogany Low Linen Press

Early George III Mahogany Low Linen Press

Located in Lincolnshire, GB

A mid 18th century mahogany dwarf linen press with a caddy top and cross banded doors.

Category

Mid-18th Century English George III Antique Linen Presses

Materials

Mahogany

Superb Inlaid Bow Front Linen Press
Superb Inlaid Bow Front Linen Press

Superb Inlaid Bow Front Linen Press

Located in Swadlincote, GB

A superb small proportions bow front inlaid linen press, five drawers below two door cabinet with brass slamming strip, single shelf inside, splits into two, standing on outwept brac...

Category

Early 20th Century English Regency Antique Linen Presses

Materials

Mahogany

Antique Linen Press, English, Georgian, Housekeeper's Cupboard, circa 1780
Antique Linen Press, English, Georgian, Housekeeper's Cupboard, circa 1780

Antique Linen Press, English, Georgian, Housekeeper's Cupboard, circa 1780

Located in Leicester, GB

This is an antique linen press, an English, Georgian housekeeper's cupboard in mahogany dating to circa 1780.

Category

1780s British Georgian Antique Linen Presses

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century English Oak Georgian Linen Press / Cabinet
19th Century English Oak Georgian Linen Press / Cabinet

19th Century English Oak Georgian Linen Press / Cabinet

Located in Viterbo, VT

The linen press is two-bodied with a top cabinet sitting on drawers.

Category

Early 19th Century British George III Antique Linen Presses

Materials

Oak

Italian Neoclassical Crotch Mahogany Linen Press, Circa 1800
Italian Neoclassical Crotch Mahogany Linen Press, Circa 1800

Italian Neoclassical Crotch Mahogany Linen Press, Circa 1800

Located in Charleston, SC

Italian graduated three-drawer crotch mahogany neoclassical linen press with carved molded edges, side corner Corinthian ormolu mounts, interior shelving, original brass pulls and te...

Category

Early 1800s Italian Neoclassical Antique Linen Presses

English Chippendale Mahogany Bombay Linen Press.  Circa 1770
English Chippendale Mahogany Bombay Linen Press.  Circa 1770

English Chippendale Mahogany Bombay Linen Press. Circa 1770

Located in Charleston, SC

English Chippendale Mahogany bombay linen press with carved dental molding, flanking book matched molded edge doors, fitted interior adjustable shelving and lower drawers, original g...

Category

1770s English George III Antique Linen Presses

Materials

Brass

Large 19thC English Mahogany Breakfront Linen Press
Large 19thC English Mahogany Breakfront Linen Press

Large 19thC English Mahogany Breakfront Linen Press

Located in Staffordshire, GB

circa 1880 Large 19thC English Mahogany Breakfront Linen Press sku 1994 W205 x D61 x H197 cm Weight 189 kg 6 individual pieces Cornice W205 x D61 x H11 cm Plinth W199 x D56 x H10 cm ...

Category

19th Century Antique Linen Presses

Materials

Mahogany

Large 19thC English Carved Mahogany Linen Press
Large 19thC English Carved Mahogany Linen Press

Large 19thC English Carved Mahogany Linen Press

Located in Staffordshire, GB

circa 1870 Large 19thC English Carved Linen Press An exceptional example sku 1993 Together W205 x D68 x H210 cm Base W193 x D62 x H44 cm Top W205 x D68 x H166 cm Weight 179 kg 4 indi...

Category

19th Century Antique Linen Presses

Materials

Mahogany

George II Low Linen Press on Cabriole Leg Stand
George II Low Linen Press on Cabriole Leg Stand

George II Low Linen Press on Cabriole Leg Stand

Located in Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire

A rare George II low linen press on cabriole leg stand.  Measures: Maximum width of 49".

Category

Mid-18th Century English Georgian Antique Linen Presses

Materials

Mahogany

Regency Antique Painted Linen Press, Artisan Refurbished, 1830
Regency Antique Painted Linen Press, Artisan Refurbished, 1830

Regency Antique Painted Linen Press, Artisan Refurbished, 1830

Located in Seaford, GB

Wonderful Regency Antique Painted Linen Press — Early 19th Century A beautifully restored Regency antique painted linen press, circa early 19th century, discovered in Provence and b...

Category

1830s British Regency Antique Linen Presses

Materials

Mahogany

Early 20th Century Mahogany Linen Press with Mirror, Good Condition
Early 20th Century Mahogany Linen Press with Mirror, Good Condition

Early 20th Century Mahogany Linen Press with Mirror, Good Condition

Located in Opole, PL

20th-Century Mahogany Linen-Press With Mirror A mahogany single-winged linen-press from the early 20th century.

Category

Early 20th Century European Antique Linen Presses

Materials

Mirror, Mahogany

Antique French 18th C Louis XV Fruitwood Linen Press Armoire
Antique French 18th C Louis XV Fruitwood Linen Press Armoire

Antique French 18th C Louis XV Fruitwood Linen Press Armoire

Located in LOS ANGELES, CA

Antique French 18th C Louis XV Fruitwood Linen Press Armoire.

Category

18th Century French French Provincial Antique Linen Presses

Materials

Fruitwood

19th Century English Antique Pine Linen Press / Housekeeper's Cupboard.
19th Century English Antique Pine Linen Press / Housekeeper's Cupboard.

19th Century English Antique Pine Linen Press / Housekeeper's Cupboard.

Located in Leicester, GB

A rare English antique pine linen press, circa approximately 1880. This linen press comes in three sections, the bottom two parts hold a host of six large graduating drawers, and th...

Category

Late 19th Century British Victorian Antique Linen Presses

Materials

Pine

English George lll, Linen Press Cabinet, Burl Mahogany, 1815
English George lll, Linen Press Cabinet, Burl Mahogany, 1815

English George lll, Linen Press Cabinet, Burl Mahogany, 1815

Located in Stamford, CT

English George lll, Linen Press Cabinet, Burl Mahogany, 1815 This Burl Mahogany George III Linen Press is a striking piece that showcases the elegance and craftsmanship of 19th-cent...

Category

Early 19th Century English George III Antique Linen Presses

Materials

Mahogany

Large English George III Mahogany Glazed Linen Press Cabinet
Large English George III Mahogany Glazed Linen Press Cabinet

Large English George III Mahogany Glazed Linen Press Cabinet

Located in Staffordshire, GB

circa 1800 Large English George III Mahogany Glazed Linen Press Cabinet sku 1987 Together W162 x D59 x H223 cm Base W159 x D55 x H92 cm Top W162 x D59 x H131 cm Top internal shelf de...

Category

19th Century Antique Linen Presses

Materials

Mahogany

George III Antique Mahogany Gentleman’s Wardrobe or Linen Press
George III Antique Mahogany Gentleman’s Wardrobe or Linen Press

George III Antique Mahogany Gentleman’s Wardrobe or Linen Press

Located in Suffolk, GB

Antique George III mahogany gentleman’s wardrobe or linen press having two mahogany doors which open to reveal a fitted interior of four original sliding trays, one long drawer with ...

Category

1790s English George III Antique Linen Presses

Materials

Brass

Late 18th/early 19th century Virginia federal period linen press
Late 18th/early 19th century Virginia federal period linen press

Late 18th/early 19th century Virginia federal period linen press

Located in Richmond, VA

Gorgeous late 18th-early 19th century virginia linen press in original untouched dry surface. Mahogany and yellow pine with hand wrought nails, likely 1790-1800 and coastal

Category

Late 18th Century Antique Linen Presses

Materials

Mahogany, Pine

Large 19thC English Breakfront Mahogany Carved Linen Press
Large 19thC English Breakfront Mahogany Carved Linen Press

Large 19thC English Breakfront Mahogany Carved Linen Press

Located in Staffordshire, GB

Large 19thC English Breakfront Mahogany Carved Linen Press sku 2016 Together W228 x D66 x H217 cm Base W219 x D63 x H217 cm Top W228 x D66 x H217 cm Weight 185Kg SHIPPING DIMENSIONS ...

Category

19th Century Antique Linen Presses

Materials

Mahogany

20C Dutch Walnut Linen Press with Bombe Form
20C Dutch Walnut Linen Press with Bombe Form

20C Dutch Walnut Linen Press with Bombe Form

Located in London, GB

It’s not unusual to now see the Dutch linen press used as a television or hi-fi cabinet.

Category

Early 20th Century Dutch Dutch Colonial Antique Linen Presses

Materials

Walnut

19C Dutch Walnut Linen Press with Bombe Form
19C Dutch Walnut Linen Press with Bombe Form

19C Dutch Walnut Linen Press with Bombe Form

Located in London, GB

It’s not unusual to now see the Dutch linen press used as a television or hi-fi cabinet.

Category

Mid-19th Century Dutch Dutch Colonial Antique Linen Presses

Materials

Walnut

19th Century English Colonial Satinwood and Ebony Linen Press
19th Century English Colonial Satinwood and Ebony Linen Press

19th Century English Colonial Satinwood and Ebony Linen Press

Located in Southampton, NY

Early 19th century English Colonial satinwood and ebony linen press. Cabinet is composed of solid Satinwood with solid ebony trim and inlay.

Category

19th Century Sri Lankan British Colonial Antique Linen Presses

Materials

Ebony, Satinwood

Dutch Yew Wood Paladian & Bombay Linen Press, Circa 1760
Dutch Yew Wood Paladian & Bombay Linen Press, Circa 1760

Dutch Yew Wood Paladian & Bombay Linen Press, Circa 1760

Located in Charleston, SC

Dutch Yew Wood linen press with an upper case paladian acanthus cornice, centered urn with laurel wreath, dental molding, over flanking floral carved doors concealing a fitted interi...

Category

1760s Dutch Dutch Colonial Antique Linen Presses

Materials

Brass

18th Century Dutch Plum Pudding Linen Press
18th Century Dutch Plum Pudding Linen Press

18th Century Dutch Plum Pudding Linen Press

Located in High Point, NC

Spectacular 18th century Dutch bombe linen press, made from exquisite mahogany and plum pudding figured mahogany throughout the piece.

Category

18th Century Dutch Dutch Colonial Antique Linen Presses

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century, Dutch Colonial Satinwood and Ebony Linen Press
19th Century, Dutch Colonial Satinwood and Ebony Linen Press

19th Century, Dutch Colonial Satinwood and Ebony Linen Press

Located in Southampton, NY

Early 19th century, Dutch Colonial satinwood and ebony linen press. Cabinet is composed of solid satinwood with solid king ebony trim and inlay.

Category

19th Century Sri Lankan Dutch Colonial Antique Linen Presses

Materials

Ebony, Satinwood

19th-Century Biedermeier Mahogany Wood and Veneer Linen Press
19th-Century Biedermeier Mahogany Wood and Veneer Linen Press

19th-Century Biedermeier Mahogany Wood and Veneer Linen Press

Located in Opole, PL

19th-Century Biedermeier Mahogany Wood and Veneer Linen Press Furniture made of mahogany wood and mahogany veneer on softwood, dating back to the first half of the 19th century.

Category

Early 19th Century European Biedermeier Antique Linen Presses

Materials

Mahogany

Linen Press with Spindle, Walnut with Inlays, 18th Century
Linen Press with Spindle, Walnut with Inlays, 18th Century

Linen Press with Spindle, Walnut with Inlays, 18th Century

Located in Greding, DE

Laundry or linen press with six shelves for smoothing everyday linen such as tablecloths, bed linen, scarves and napkins.

Category

18th Century Antique Linen Presses

Materials

Walnut

American Cherry & Mahogany Graduated Linen Press, North Carolina, Circa 1810
American Cherry & Mahogany Graduated Linen Press, North Carolina, Circa 1810

American Cherry & Mahogany Graduated Linen Press, North Carolina, Circa 1810

Located in Charleston, SC

American cherry & mahogany linen press with carved molded edge cornice, upper case flanking book matched doors revealing three interior shelves.

Category

1810s American American Colonial Antique Linen Presses

Materials

Brass

Figured Mahogany Tallboy Linen Press With Carved Detail
Figured Mahogany Tallboy Linen Press With Carved Detail

Figured Mahogany Tallboy Linen Press With Carved Detail

Located in Cheshire, GB

A handsome figured mahogany tallboy or linen press, of late Georgian / early Victorian style, combining elegant proportions with practical storage.

Category

Early 20th Century British Antique Linen Presses

Materials

Wood

18th Century Scottish Walnut Linen Press with Screw Mechanism
18th Century Scottish Walnut Linen Press with Screw Mechanism

18th Century Scottish Walnut Linen Press with Screw Mechanism

Located in Memphis, TN

18th century Scottish walnut linen press featuring a striking hand-turned screw mechanism above a graduated chest of drawers.

Category

18th Century Scottish Georgian Antique Linen Presses

Materials

Wood, Walnut

Antique Dutch Marquetry Walnut Linen Press/Cupboard
Antique Dutch Marquetry Walnut Linen Press/Cupboard

Antique Dutch Marquetry Walnut Linen Press/Cupboard

Located in Suffolk, GB

A fine and richly decorated antique Dutch walnut linen press, constructed in the late 18th century and extensively inlaid with floral marquetry throughout.

Category

18th Century Dutch Antique Linen Presses

Materials

Walnut

A Regency Mahogany Linen Press Of Rare Smaller Proportions
A Regency Mahogany Linen Press Of Rare Smaller Proportions

A Regency Mahogany Linen Press Of Rare Smaller Proportions

Located in London, GB

A beautiful and scarce Regency Mahogany Linen Press in rare, smaller proportions. A piece I searched high and low to find for my own bedroom.

Category

Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Linen Presses

Materials

Brass

Dutch Chippendale Burl Walnut Bombay Linen Press with Orig. Brasses, Circa 1780
Dutch Chippendale Burl Walnut Bombay Linen Press with Orig. Brasses, Circa 1780

Dutch Chippendale Burl Walnut Bombay Linen Press with Orig. Brasses, Circa 1780

Located in Charleston, SC

Dutch Chippendale burl walnut bombay graduated three-drawer linen press with serpentine carved floral cartouche, flanking foliage hinged doors, original floral brasses, interior shel...

Category

1780s Dutch Chippendale Antique Linen Presses

Materials

Brass

American Regency Mahogany Graduated Hinged Linen Press on Splayed Feet, C. 1800
American Regency Mahogany Graduated Hinged Linen Press on Splayed Feet, C. 1800

American Regency Mahogany Graduated Hinged Linen Press on Splayed Feet, C. 1800

Located in Charleston, SC

American Regency book matched mahogany linen press with a carved molded edge cornice, flanking hinged doors revealing three original interior sliding shelves, three graduated drawers...

Category

Early 1800s American Regency Antique Linen Presses

Materials

Brass

American Regency Mahogany Bow Front Gadrooned Linen Press w/ Orig. Brasses, 1800
American Regency Mahogany Bow Front Gadrooned Linen Press w/ Orig. Brasses, 1800

American Regency Mahogany Bow Front Gadrooned Linen Press w/ Orig. Brasses, 1800

Located in Charleston, SC

American Regency Mahogany bow front gadrooned linen press with a flanking outset corner cornice, flanking hinged book matched figured flame mahogany blind doors, original five interi...

Category

Early 1800s American Regency Antique Linen Presses

Materials

Brass

Antique French Renaissance Armoire Linen Press Library Bookcase China Cabinet
Antique French Renaissance Armoire Linen Press Library Bookcase China Cabinet

Antique French Renaissance Armoire Linen Press Library Bookcase China Cabinet

Located in Dayton, OH

An exquisite French Renaissance Revival Bibliotheque, Linen press or display cabinet. Circa mid 19th cenutry.

Category

Mid-19th Century Renaissance Revival Antique Linen Presses

Materials

Glass, Oak

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Antique Linen Presses For Sale on 1stDibs

There is a range of antique linen presses for sale on 1stDibs. Each of these unique antique linen presses was constructed with extraordinary care, often using wood, mahogany and metal. Antique linen presses have long been popular, with older editions for sale from the 18th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 20th Century. Antique linen presses bearing Georgian or Victorian hallmarks are very popular at 1stDibs. Gillows of Lancaster & London, Howard and Sons and Thomas Chippendale each produced beautiful antique linen presses that are worth considering.

How Much are Antique Linen Presses?

The average selling price for at 1stDibs is $5,844, while they’re typically $422 on the low end and $166,676 highest priced.

Finding the Right Storage-case-pieces 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 Antique Linen Presses
  • 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 25, 2019

    A linen press is a large cabinet that holds domestic linens. The term can also denote a screw press used to keep linens neatly folded.

  • 1stDibs ExpertJune 30, 2023
    A linen press is called that because of its original function. During the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, people used linen presses to smooth or press away wrinkles from tablecloths, bedding and other linens. On 1stDibs, shop an assortment of linen presses.

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