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Locking Dresser

Vintage Boho Michael Taylor for Henredon Locked Rings Dresser
Vintage Boho Michael Taylor for Henredon Locked Rings Dresser

Vintage Boho Michael Taylor for Henredon Locked Rings Dresser

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

This exceptionally long Mid-Century Modern dresser embodies the sophisticated blending of sleek

Category

Mid-20th Century American Hollywood Regency Dressers

Materials

Brass

Gentlemen's Dresser by Barney Flagg for Drexel, Parallel Line, USA, 1960s
Gentlemen's Dresser by Barney Flagg for Drexel, Parallel Line, USA, 1960s

Gentlemen's Dresser by Barney Flagg for Drexel, Parallel Line, USA, 1960s

By Barney Flagg

Located in Deland, FL

Discover the elegance of mid-century design with our rare Drexel Parallel Gentleman's Dresser. This

Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers

Materials

Glass, Walnut

Kittinger 5 Drawers Pull Out Tray Mahogany Federal Style Bachelor Chest Dresser
Kittinger 5 Drawers Pull Out Tray Mahogany Federal Style Bachelor Chest Dresser

Kittinger 5 Drawers Pull Out Tray Mahogany Federal Style Bachelor Chest Dresser

By Williamsburg Restoration Inc., Kittinger

Located in Rockaway, NJ

Kittinger 5 drawers pull out tray mahogany federal style bachelor chest dresser. Lockable drawer.

Category

20th Century American Federal Dressers

Materials

Brass

20th Century Inlaid Wood Marble Top Louis XV Style French Commode, 1950
20th Century Inlaid Wood Marble Top Louis XV Style French Commode, 1950

20th Century Inlaid Wood Marble Top Louis XV Style French Commode, 1950

Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont

, for antique dealers and interior decorators. Complete with a key for locking both drawers, this

Category

Vintage 1950s French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble

Recent Sales

19th Century Pair Carved Bombe Dressers with Original Silvered Mirrors (4 pcs)
19th Century Pair Carved Bombe Dressers with Original Silvered Mirrors (4 pcs)

19th Century Pair Carved Bombe Dressers with Original Silvered Mirrors (4 pcs)

Located in South Newfane, VT

of the dresser. The original key fits the locking drawers. These dressers have been in one New

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Rococo Dressers

Materials

Glass, Mahogany

Teak Chest of Drawers by Gjøvik Møbelfabriken
Teak Chest of Drawers by Gjøvik Møbelfabriken

Teak Chest of Drawers by Gjøvik Møbelfabriken

Unavailable

H 36.5 in W 39.5 in D 18 in

Teak Chest of Drawers by Gjøvik Møbelfabriken

Located in Dorchester, MA

. Original key for lock. Only one dresser available.

Category

Vintage 1960s Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Dressers

Materials

Brass

Regence Period Bureau, "The Dionysian Procession", 18th Century, circa 1725
Regence Period Bureau, "The Dionysian Procession", 18th Century, circa 1725

Regence Period Bureau, "The Dionysian Procession", 18th Century, circa 1725

Located in Saint Ouen, FR

formed by two intertwined serpents held by a leafed floret. Lock entries inspired by the motif of corner

Category

Antique Early 18th Century French Régence Desks

Materials

Bronze

1860s Six Drawer Dresser with Side Lock
1860s Six Drawer Dresser with Side Lock

1860s Six Drawer Dresser with Side Lock

Sold

H 55 in W 35 in D 19 in

1860s Six Drawer Dresser with Side Lock

Located in New York, NY

A tall dresser with six drawers and has a side lock for security. Made from chestnut and other

Category

Antique 19th Century American Dressers

Materials

Wood

Danish Modern 4 Drawer Dresser with Lock & Key
Danish Modern 4 Drawer Dresser with Lock & Key

Danish Modern 4 Drawer Dresser with Lock & Key

Sold

H 31.25 in W 31.25 in D 16.5 in

Danish Modern 4 Drawer Dresser with Lock & Key

Located in Freehold, NJ

finish, four dovetailed drawers with unique wood pulls, brass lock with key, and tall tapered legs

Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Dressers

Materials

Teak

E W Godwin Attribute by Collinson & Lock Rosewood Cabinet, London Stamped 7784
E W Godwin Attribute by Collinson & Lock Rosewood Cabinet, London Stamped 7784

E W Godwin Attribute by Collinson & Lock Rosewood Cabinet, London Stamped 7784

By Collinson & Lock, Edward William Godwin

Located in London, GB

made by Collinson and Lock of London, with finely detailed brass drop scroll work handles and Anglo

Category

Antique 1870s English Aesthetic Movement Dressers

Materials

Rosewood

Danish Modern 5 Drawer Highboy Dresser with Lock & Key
Danish Modern 5 Drawer Highboy Dresser with Lock & Key

Danish Modern 5 Drawer Highboy Dresser with Lock & Key

Located in Freehold, NJ

This Danish modern highboy dresser features hardwood construction, teak veneer with original finish

Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Dressers

Materials

Teak

Rosewood Tallboy Dresser
Rosewood Tallboy Dresser

Rosewood Tallboy Dresser

Sold

H 41.75 in W 35.5 in D 17.5 in

Rosewood Tallboy Dresser

Located in Puslinch, ON

highboy dresser with locking top drawer. Comes with key and lock works. Freshly imported from Denmark

Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Dressers

Materials

Rosewood

Bedroom Dresser Set by Barney Flagg for Drexel's Parallel Line, USA, c 1960's
Bedroom Dresser Set by Barney Flagg for Drexel's Parallel Line, USA, c 1960's

Bedroom Dresser Set by Barney Flagg for Drexel's Parallel Line, USA, c 1960's

By Barney Flagg

Located in Deland, FL

exactly as designed via a clever locking latch. This extraordinary dresser set is ultra functional

Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers

Materials

Glass, Walnut

Gustavian 1790s Swedish Blueish Dresser
Gustavian 1790s Swedish Blueish Dresser

Gustavian 1790s Swedish Blueish Dresser

Sold

H 50.4 in W 36.42 in D 18.9 in

Gustavian 1790s Swedish Blueish Dresser

Located in Haddonfield, NJ

Gustavian 1790's Swedish blueish dresser original lock and hardware. Complimentary delivery

Category

Antique 18th Century and Earlier Swedish Gustavian Cabinets

Mid-Century Modern Teak Highboy Dresser, 1950s
Mid-Century Modern Teak Highboy Dresser, 1950s

Mid-Century Modern Teak Highboy Dresser, 1950s

Sold

H 46 in W 25.25 in D 15.75 in

Mid-Century Modern Teak Highboy Dresser, 1950s

Located in Raymondville, TX

This vintage 1950s mid-century modern highboy dresser features six locking (no key) drawers with

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood, Teak

20th Century Inlaid Wood with Marble Top French Dresser, 1920
20th Century Inlaid Wood with Marble Top French Dresser, 1920

20th Century Inlaid Wood with Marble Top French Dresser, 1920

Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont

bottom. Top drawer with lock to be overhauled. The dresser can be easily placed in different parts of the

Category

Vintage 1920s French Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble

Decorative Beech Dresser From the Mid. 20th Century with Marble Top
Decorative Beech Dresser From the Mid. 20th Century with Marble Top

Decorative Beech Dresser From the Mid. 20th Century with Marble Top

Located in Opole, PL

furniture hides four drawers locked with a key. The dresser is topped with a marble wavy top. The drawer

Category

Mid-20th Century European Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble, Metal

Vintage Painted Blue and White Trompe l'Oeil Bow Front Dresser With Greek Key
Vintage Painted Blue and White Trompe l'Oeil Bow Front Dresser With Greek Key

Vintage Painted Blue and White Trompe l'Oeil Bow Front Dresser With Greek Key

Located in Centennial, CO

original to the dresser. Lock is a replacement with working key that serves as a pull for the top drawer

Category

Vintage 1940s Unknown Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Restored Metal File Cabinet
Restored Metal File Cabinet

Restored Metal File Cabinet

Sold

H 52 in W 36 in D 18 in

Restored Metal File Cabinet

Located in Brooklyn, NY

dresser. Drawers self lock (only one drawer will open at a time). (Please confirm item location - NY

Category

Vintage 1960s Industrial Cabinets

Antique Sheraton Mahogany Locking Bow Front Chest of Drawers, Glass Pulls
Antique Sheraton Mahogany Locking Bow Front Chest of Drawers, Glass Pulls

Antique Sheraton Mahogany Locking Bow Front Chest of Drawers, Glass Pulls

Located in Big Flats, NY

locking long and two locking smaller upper drawers, one segmented for silver, flanking reeded columns

Category

Antique Early 19th Century American Sheraton Dressers

Materials

Mahogany

Antique 17th Century Dutch Renaissance Dresser in Oak and Walnut
Antique 17th Century Dutch Renaissance Dresser in Oak and Walnut

Antique 17th Century Dutch Renaissance Dresser in Oak and Walnut

Located in Casteren, NL

as its lock and key. This dresser is of exceptional quality and in a very good authentic state with

Category

Antique Late 17th Century Dutch Adam Style Dressers

Materials

Oak, Walnut

Antique 18th Century Georgian Oak Inlaid Welsh Dresser Plate Rack Sideboard 1780
Antique 18th Century Georgian Oak Inlaid Welsh Dresser Plate Rack Sideboard 1780

Antique 18th Century Georgian Oak Inlaid Welsh Dresser Plate Rack Sideboard 1780

Located in Portland, OR

have 'kite' shaped ivory inlaid escutcheons/lock-plates , the dresser in raised on shaped bracket feet

Category

Antique 1780s Welsh George III Dressers

Materials

Fruitwood, Oak

19th Century Dry-Scraped Swedish Chest of Drawers
19th Century Dry-Scraped Swedish Chest of Drawers

19th Century Dry-Scraped Swedish Chest of Drawers

Sold

H 34 in W 45.38 in D 21.38 in

19th Century Dry-Scraped Swedish Chest of Drawers

Located in Mckinney, TX

the dresser. The original locking mechanisms are present, but sadly the key has been lost over the

Category

Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Dressers

Materials

Pine

Antique Victorian Aesthetic Movement Curly Pine Chest of Drawers Dresser VR Lock
Antique Victorian Aesthetic Movement Curly Pine Chest of Drawers Dresser VR Lock

Antique Victorian Aesthetic Movement Curly Pine Chest of Drawers Dresser VR Lock

Located in Dayton, OH

Antique aesthetic movement chest of drawers, circa 1880s. Made from curly pine with four drawers feautring hand dovetailing, engraving and brass hardware.     

Category

Antique 1880s Aesthetic Movement Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Pine

19th Century French Dresser
19th Century French Dresser

19th Century French Dresser

Sold

H 37.41 in W 51.19 in D 23.43 in

19th Century French Dresser

Located in Opole, PL

give the whole more elegance. All the drawers can be locked with the key. Presented dresser has

Category

Antique Early 19th Century French Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century Country English Pine Dresser with Cupboard
19th Century Country English Pine Dresser with Cupboard

19th Century Country English Pine Dresser with Cupboard

Located in Rio Vista, CA

area. The doors have brass handles, pulls, and lock plates. The dresser is topped with a large plate

Category

Antique 19th Century English Country Cupboards

Materials

Brass

Danish Modern Secretary Desk or Cabinet by HNJ Møbler
Danish Modern Secretary Desk or Cabinet by HNJ Møbler

Danish Modern Secretary Desk or Cabinet by HNJ Møbler

By HNJ Møbler, Peter Arenkiel Jensen

Located in Los Angeles, CA

A Danish modern desk or dresser with a locking secretary cabinet and three drawers. Nestled in to a

Category

Mid-20th Century American Scandinavian Modern Secretaires

Materials

Teak

Danish Modern Mid-Century Teak Dresser with Drawer Lock Key
Danish Modern Mid-Century Teak Dresser with Drawer Lock Key

Danish Modern Mid-Century Teak Dresser with Drawer Lock Key

Located in Belmont, MA

Mid-century Danish Modern Teak Dresser. Original drawer lock key is provided with the piece.

Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Dressers

Materials

Teak

Danish Modern Teak Dresser
Danish Modern Teak Dresser

Danish Modern Teak Dresser

Sold

H 49.25 in W 30 in D 17 in

Danish Modern Teak Dresser

Located in Belmont, MA

8 drawer Danish modern teak dresser, with locking mechanism and dovetail construction.

Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Dressers

Materials

Teak

Antique Oak Dresser Base
Antique Oak Dresser Base

Antique Oak Dresser Base

Sold

H 32.75 in W 80.5 in D 17.25 in

Antique Oak Dresser Base

Located in Salisbury, Wiltshire

the matching lock plates. The dresser base stands on slender cabriole legs to the front and with the

Category

Antique Early 1800s English Georgian Dressers

Materials

Oak

Mid-20th Century, Stylish Tallboy in Teak
Mid-20th Century, Stylish Tallboy in Teak

Mid-20th Century, Stylish Tallboy in Teak

Sold

H 45.28 in W 26.78 in D 15.16 in

Mid-20th Century, Stylish Tallboy in Teak

Located in Bristol, GB

A stylish, Danish tallboy in teak with lovely domed handles and six drawers with a lockable top

Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Teak

18th C. Chesnut Buffet-Vaisselier from Britanny
18th C. Chesnut Buffet-Vaisselier from Britanny

18th C. Chesnut Buffet-Vaisselier from Britanny

Located in Charleston, SC

delicately indented forged iron fittings..The drawer has 2 iron pull handles and a (working) lock. The

Category

Antique 18th Century and Earlier French Country Cupboards

Materials

Chestnut

Antique Quarter Sawn Oak Wood Tall Dresser
Antique Quarter Sawn Oak Wood Tall Dresser

Antique Quarter Sawn Oak Wood Tall Dresser

Located in Amherst, NH

locks. Neither lock is operational. The dresser is on castors. The drawer heights range from 6.5”-7.5

Category

Early 20th Century American Rustic Dressers

Materials

Oak

Danish Modern Rounded Front Teak Chest of Drawers with Drawer Lock Key
Danish Modern Rounded Front Teak Chest of Drawers with Drawer Lock Key

Danish Modern Rounded Front Teak Chest of Drawers with Drawer Lock Key

Located in Belmont, MA

Mid-century Danish modern teak dresser / chest of drawers with elegant rounded front. Original

Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Dressers

Materials

Teak

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George III Mahogany Bachelor's Chest
George III Mahogany Bachelor's Chest

George III Mahogany Bachelor's Chest

$3,918

H 32.68 in W 36.03 in D 19.3 in

George III Mahogany Bachelor's Chest

Located in Lymington, GB

A George III-period mahogany bachelor's chest with caddy top. Late-18th century, circa 1780. With four graduated cockbeaded drawers and a pull-out slide. Raised on its original brack...

Category

Antique Late 18th Century English George III Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

Antique 19th Century 4 Drawers Pull Out Tray Flame Mahogany Bachelor Chest Brass
Antique 19th Century 4 Drawers Pull Out Tray Flame Mahogany Bachelor Chest Brass

Antique 19th Century 4 Drawers Pull Out Tray Flame Mahogany Bachelor Chest Brass

By George Hepplewhite

Located in Rockaway, NJ

Antique 19th Century Federal Style 4 Drawers pull out tray flame mahogany bachelor chest brass Pulls Dovetail Drawers.

Category

Antique 19th Century American Federal Dressers

Materials

Brass

Crackle Textured Handmade Ceramic Mushroom Lamp, Blue
Crackle Textured Handmade Ceramic Mushroom Lamp, Blue

Crackle Textured Handmade Ceramic Mushroom Lamp, Blue

$1,250 / item

H 16 in W 11.5 in D 11.5 in

Crackle Textured Handmade Ceramic Mushroom Lamp, Blue

By Streicher Goods, Ethan Streicher

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Every mushroom lamp is hand-made and hand-painted by Ethan Streicher, the founder and designer behind the Streicher Goods brand in Brooklyn, NY. The lamp's silhouette is simple and c...

Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

George III Mahogany Chest of Drawers
George III Mahogany Chest of Drawers

George III Mahogany Chest of Drawers

Sold|$1,750

H 35.75 in W 41 in D 20.5 in

George III Mahogany Chest of Drawers

Located in Laguna Beach, CA

George III mahogany chest of drawers, 18th century with restorations. Having a rectangular two board top with thumb molded front and side edges, two top drawers and 3 lower drawers, ...

Category

Antique Late 18th Century English George III Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Early German Art Deco Milk and Frosted Glass Luzette Pendant , 1900s
Early German Art Deco Milk and Frosted Glass Luzette Pendant , 1900s

Early German Art Deco Milk and Frosted Glass Luzette Pendant , 1900s

By Peter Behrens

Located in Wiesbaden, Hessen

An early German art nouveau milk and frosted pendant with brass mount, ca.1900s. Socket: one E27 or E26 (US) for standrad screw bulb.

Category

Antique Early 1900s German Art Nouveau Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Brass

Natural Oak Modern Hugo Barbell Floor Lamp, Ivory Linen Shade, Natural
Natural Oak Modern Hugo Barbell Floor Lamp, Ivory Linen Shade, Natural

Natural Oak Modern Hugo Barbell Floor Lamp, Ivory Linen Shade, Natural

By Lostine

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Hand-crafted in Pennsylvania, the solid oak balls create a fixture that is as sturdy as it is stylish. The grained oak texture shows through the finish revealing a rich history uniqu...

Category

2010s American Modern Floor Lamps

Materials

Linen, Oak

Mustard Velvet Daybed with V-Shaped Beechwood Base, Model V
Mustard Velvet Daybed with V-Shaped Beechwood Base, Model V

Mustard Velvet Daybed with V-Shaped Beechwood Base, Model V

$3,990 / item

H 15.75 in W 74.81 in D 29.14 in

Mustard Velvet Daybed with V-Shaped Beechwood Base, Model V

By Dusty Deco

Located in Los Angeles, CA

DD V daybed is an exclusive daybed made by hand in Bosnia and Herzegovina by skilled craftsmen with long experience in wood and upholstery. Both frame and the characteristic V-shaped...

Category

2010s Bosnian Mid-Century Modern Daybeds

Materials

Fabric, Beech, Velvet

Baker Furniture Chippendale Mahogany Serpentine Dresser Chest, Newly Refinished
Baker Furniture Chippendale Mahogany Serpentine Dresser Chest, Newly Refinished

Baker Furniture Chippendale Mahogany Serpentine Dresser Chest, Newly Refinished

By Baker Furniture Company

Located in South Bend, IN

An exceptional Georgian or Chippendale style serpentine front dresser or chest of drawers By Baker Furniture, "Historic Charleston Collection" USA, Late 20th century Carved ...

Category

Late 20th Century American Chippendale Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

George II Mahogany Bachelors Chest
George II Mahogany Bachelors Chest

George II Mahogany Bachelors Chest

$3,000

H 32 in W 37.25 in D 21.5 in

George II Mahogany Bachelors Chest

Located in Laguna Beach, CA

George II mahogany bachelors chest, 18th century. With a slightly over hanging rectangular top, the top drawer has a felt lined writing surface that slides back for storage, canted c...

Category

Antique 18th Century English George II Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Model 03 – Modern Solid Wood Dresser Credenza w/ Painted Steel and Leather
Model 03 – Modern Solid Wood Dresser Credenza w/ Painted Steel and Leather

Model 03 – Modern Solid Wood Dresser Credenza w/ Painted Steel and Leather

By Koba

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Model 03 is our most versatile creation of Series 01. Capable of filling the role of a dresser, credenza or sideboard. Drawing inspiration from Mid Century cabinetry, Model 03 is our...

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2010s American Modern Dressers

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Steel

Rustic Modern Sydney Bench in Tanned Oak by Martin & Brockett
Rustic Modern Sydney Bench in Tanned Oak by Martin & Brockett

Rustic Modern Sydney Bench in Tanned Oak by Martin & Brockett

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Martin & Brockett’s Sydney Bench 63” features a wood frame with finial details on the bench back and arm, as well as an upholstered seat and back. H 33.5 in. x W 63 in. x D 20.5 in....

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2010s American Benches

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Upholstery, Oak

Contemporary, Handmade Horizon Gradient Ceramic Lamp by Streicher Goods
Contemporary, Handmade Horizon Gradient Ceramic Lamp by Streicher Goods

Contemporary, Handmade Horizon Gradient Ceramic Lamp by Streicher Goods

By Streicher Goods, Ethan Streicher

Located in Brooklyn, NY

This bold and colorful handcrafted lamp not only brings a pop of color to your space but baths the space in warm light. The lamp features a bold, conical base that flares out at the ...

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2010s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

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Brass

Papyri Bench, Occasional Woven Bench in Blackened Ash and Natural Danish Cord
Papyri Bench, Occasional Woven Bench in Blackened Ash and Natural Danish Cord

Papyri Bench, Occasional Woven Bench in Blackened Ash and Natural Danish Cord

By Carter Ellis

Located in Chattanooga, TN

Featuring a mortice and tenon frame, custom doweling and a handwoven seat, the Papyri Bench is artisan-crafted from recyclable paper cord, and sustainably harvested Ash. The seat fe...

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2010s American Scandinavian Modern Benches

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Mahogany Bachelors Chest
Mahogany Bachelors Chest

Mahogany Bachelors Chest

$1,610 / item

H 34 in W 30 in D 18 in

Mahogany Bachelors Chest

Located in Annville, PA

Based on an antique English chest of drawers this high quality Mahogany Bachelors Chest is both versatile and attractive in appearance. The shaped top rests over the two half width d...

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2010s Chippendale Dressers

Materials

Mahogany

Kittinger Chippendale Colonial Williamsburg Mahogany Four-Drawer Bachelor Chest
Kittinger Chippendale Colonial Williamsburg Mahogany Four-Drawer Bachelor Chest

Kittinger Chippendale Colonial Williamsburg Mahogany Four-Drawer Bachelor Chest

By Kittinger

Located in South Bend, IN

An exceptional Chippendale or Georgian style four-drawer dresser or bachelor chest By Kittinger, "Williamsburg Adaptation" Collection USA, Circa 1980s Gorgeous mahogany, with orig...

Category

Vintage 1980s American Chippendale Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

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Locking Dresser For Sale on 1stDibs

With a vast inventory of beautiful furniture at 1stDibs, we’ve got just the locking dresser you’re looking for. A locking dresser — often made from wood, metal and mahogany — can elevate any home. There are 46 variations of the antique or vintage locking dresser you’re looking for, while we also have 1 modern editions of this piece to choose from as well. There are many kinds of the locking dresser you’re looking for, from those produced as long ago as the 18th Century to those made as recently as the 21st Century. A locking dresser made by mid-century modern designers — as well as those associated with Georgian — is very popular. Collinson & Lock, Baker Furniture Company and Osvaldo Borsani each produced at least one beautiful locking dresser that is worth considering.

How Much is a Locking Dresser?

Prices for a locking dresser start at $450 and top out at $293,702 with the average selling for $4,271.

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.

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