Mercantile Case
Vintage 1930s American Industrial Apothecary Cabinets
Birch
Antique Early 19th Century American Industrial Cabinets
Metal
Antique Early 19th Century French Industrial Cabinets
Metal
Antique 1890s American Baroque Apothecary Cabinets
Mahogany
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Shelves
Metal
Early 20th Century American Country Vitrines
Glass, Oak
Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Rustic Apothecary Cabinets
Metal
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
Walnut, Cypress
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
Mirror, Walnut, Cypress
Mid-20th Century Burmese Bookcases
Teak
Antique Early 19th Century American Sheraton Sideboards
Mahogany, Walnut, Satinwood, Birch
Antique 19th Century European Blanket Chests
Wood
1810s Prints and Multiples
Aquatint
20th Century American Modern Abstract Drawings and Watercolors
Paper, Charcoal
People Also Browsed
21st Century and Contemporary American Wall Lights and Sconces
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and...
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
Textile, Wood
2010s German Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Brass
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Brass, Bronze, Enamel, Nickel
2010s American Flush Mount
Brass
Antique Early 1900s American Art Nouveau Architectural Elements
Bronze
Antique 18th Century Swedish Baroque Cabinets
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary European Modern Dressers
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Western European Rugs
Natural Fiber, Synthetic, Wool
2010s French Garden Ornaments
Iron
Antique Mid-19th Century British Dressers
Pine
Antique Mid-19th Century English Victorian Taxidermy
Animal Skin, Glass, Plaster, Feathers
Vintage 1960s Doors and Gates
Wood
Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Rococo Cupboards
Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wood
Recent Sales
20th Century American Cupboards
Wood
Antique Mid-19th Century Italian Cabinets
Hardwood
Early 20th Century American Vitrines
Glass, Oak
20th Century American Cabinets
Wood
Antique Late 19th Century American Vitrines
Nickel
20th Century Industrial Shelves
Wood
Vintage 1910s German Jugendstil Wardrobes and Armoires
Antique 19th Century American Blanket Chests
Pine
Vintage 1950s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mid-18th Century Portrait Paintings
Oil
Antique Early 1900s American American Classical Apothecary Cabinets
Maple
Vintage 1920s American Machine Age Cabinets
Nickel
Early 20th Century English Vitrines
Brass
Antique 1890s American Victorian Vitrines
Walnut
Antique 19th Century French Neoclassical Cabinets
Oak
Early 20th Century French Bookcases
Wood
20th Century American Classical Cabinets
Glass, Oak
Vintage 1910s American Late Victorian Vitrines
Oak
Early 20th Century French Cabinets
Steel
Antique 1880s French Country Cabinets
Pine
Vintage 1920s Canadian Other Apothecary Cabinets
Glass, Fir
Vintage 1930s Canadian Machine Age Cabinets
Plywood
20th Century American Cabinets
Metal
Vintage 1930s Canadian Art Deco Buffets
Wood
Antique Early 1900s Canadian Victorian Vitrines
Nickel
Antique 1890s American Country Cabinets
Wood, Fir
Vintage 1920s American Machine Age Apothecary Cabinets
Fir
Vintage 1920s Canadian Art Deco Cabinets
Glass, Wood
Antique Late 19th Century French Country Cabinets
Oak, Pine
Vintage 1920s American Country Cabinets
Fir
Antique Early 1900s American American Colonial Vitrines
Wood
Vintage 1920s American Industrial Cupboards
Fir
Antique 1890s American Victorian Vitrines
Oak
Vintage 1920s Machine Age Apothecary Cabinets
Vintage 1930s American Industrial Vitrines
Oak, Glass
Antique 1880s Canadian Country Apothecary Cabinets
Pine
Antique 1860s English Victorian Vitrines
Brass
Vintage 1920s Canadian Apothecary Cabinets
Oak, Pine
Antique Late 19th Century American Cabinets
Glass, Mirror, Oak
Vintage 1930s American Mission Buffets
Oak
Antique Late 19th Century British Blanket Chests
Pine
Antique Late 19th Century American Late Victorian Desks
Oak
Vintage 1910s American Late Victorian Dry Bars
Oak
Early 20th Century Edwardian Decorative Boxes
Glass, Walnut
Vintage 1920s Canadian Machine Age Vitrines
Nickel
Antique 1890s English Victorian Cabinets
Mahogany
Early 20th Century French Cabinets
Wood
Vintage 1920s American Machine Age Cabinets
Glass, Mirror, Wood
Vintage 1910s Canadian Country Cabinets
Oak
Vintage 1930s Burmese British Colonial Cabinets
Teak
Early 20th Century Canadian Country Shelves
Wood
Early 20th Century Thai British Colonial Vitrines
Teak
Antique 1890s American American Colonial Vitrines
Oak
Early 20th Century Danish Modern Vitrines
Brass, Iron
Antique Late 19th Century Danish Sideboards
Pine
Antique Early 1900s Burmese British Colonial Bookcases
Teak
Antique Late 19th Century American Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Italian Classical Roman Signet Rings
Gold
Mid-17th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings
Canvas, Oil
Early 20th Century Victorian Portrait Paintings
Oil
Mercantile Case For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Mercantile Case?
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.
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