Metamorphic Cabinet
Early 20th Century British Art Deco Dry Bars
Crystal
Early 20th Century British Art Deco Dry Bars
Crystal
Antique Late 19th Century British Cabinets
Oak
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Dry Bars
Brass
Vintage 1920s English Regency Dry Bars
Metal
Antique 18th Century English George III Desks
Brass, Iron
Antique Early 1900s French Shelves
Brass
Antique 18th Century European Louis XVI Sideboards
Brass
Vintage 1910s British Edwardian Desks
Oak
Antique 19th Century English Regency Bookcases
Brass
Antique Early 19th Century British Dry Bars
Mahogany
Vintage 1910s English Edwardian Bookcases
Oak
Vintage 1960s English Campaign Dry Bars
Hardwood
Vintage 1960s Danish Campaign Dry Bars
Teak
Antique Mid-18th Century English Chippendale Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany, Ivory
Antique Early 18th Century English Queen Anne Commodes and Chests of Dra...
Walnut
Recent Sales
Antique 1810s French Empire Cabinets
Mahogany
Antique 1730s English George II Cabinets
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century British Buffets
Antique Mid-18th Century British George III Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Dry Bars
Teak
Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Dry Bars
Glass, Teak
Early 20th Century British Cabinets
Sheffield Plate
Early 20th Century British Art Deco Dry Bars
Crystal
Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Dry Bars
Crystal
Antique 19th Century British Shelves
Mahogany
Antique 1880s European Victorian Buffets
Mahogany
Early 20th Century British Dry Bars
Walnut
Antique 1830s English William IV Desks
Rosewood
Antique Early 19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Desks
Hardwood
Antique Mid-19th Century English Campaign Desks
Brass
Antique Mid-19th Century Chinese Campaign Desks
Brass
Mid-20th Century English Art Deco Dry Bars
Walnut
Antique 19th Century Italian Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Antique 18th Century English George III Desks
Elm, Satinwood
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Wardrobes and Armoires
Vintage 1920s English Art Deco Bookcases
Glass, Oak
Vintage 1930s Italian Art Deco Cabinets
Rosewood
Vintage 1950s English Art Deco Carts and Bar Carts
Walnut
Antique 19th Century English Desks
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Carts and Bar Carts
Brass
Early 20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Dry Bars
Crystal
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Dry Bars
Teak
Early 20th Century Art Deco Cabinets
Oak
Mid-20th Century Unknown Dry Bars
Teak
Antique 19th Century English Victorian Bookcases
Oak
Mid-20th Century Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Dry Bars
Brass
Early 20th Century English Georgian Dressers
Sterling Silver
20th Century English Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Teak
Antique Late 19th Century French Country Apothecary Cabinets
Beech
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Console Tables
Ormolu, Bronze
20th Century Danish Desks
Early 20th Century American Shelves
Iron
Early 20th Century English Desks
Wood
Vintage 1960s Danish Desks
Antique Late 19th Century French Empire Buffets
Brass, Bronze
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Irish Sideboards
Pine
Antique 19th Century North American Dressers
Vintage 1950s Danish Sideboards
Antique Early 19th Century British William IV Buffets
Oak
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Carts and Bar Carts
Brass, Stainless Steel
Antique Early 19th Century British William IV Buffets
Mahogany
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Smoked Glass
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Carts and Bar Carts
Brass
People Also Browsed
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
Steel
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Pier Mirrors and Console Mirrors
Mirror, Walnut, Burl
Antique Early 1900s Swedish Country Decorative Art
Linen, Faux Bamboo, Glass, Organic Material
Antique Early 1900s Swedish Country Decorative Art
Linen, Faux Bamboo, Glass, Organic Material
Antique 19th Century Russian Sterling Silver
Silver
Antique Mid-18th Century Spanish Baroque Cupboards
Iron
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets
Teak
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Iron
Vintage 1960s European Brutalist Abstract Sculptures
Fiberglass
Antique Early 1900s English Victorian Vanities
Mahogany, Walnut
20th Century Korean Campaign Furniture
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and...
Brass
Vintage 1940s Spanish Spanish Colonial Sideboards
Oak
Antique 1880s British Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
20th Century Figurative Sculptures
Rock Crystal, Bronze
Vintage 1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames
Velvet, Walnut
Metamorphic Cabinet For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Metamorphic Cabinet?
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.
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