Oak Side By Side Secretary Desk Bookcase Cabinet
Antique Mid-19th Century Irish George III Bookcases
Glass, Mahogany, Satinwood
Vintage 1930s British Regency Bookcases
Rosewood, Satinwood
Antique Mid-19th Century French Neoclassical Revival Secretaires
Brass
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Secretaires
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Antique Mid-18th Century Danish Rococo Secretaires
Metal, Brass
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Early 20th Century American Late Victorian Bookcases
Brass
Early 20th Century Victorian Secretaires
Glass, Oak
Early 20th Century Late Victorian Secretaires
Brass
Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Secretaires
Glass, Oak
Early 20th Century American Victorian Bookcases
Glass, Mirror, Oak
Early 20th Century American Victorian Bookcases
Metal
Vintage 1940s French Louis XV Desks
Oak
Antique 18th Century English Queen Anne Desks
Brass
Early 20th Century Late Victorian Secretaires
Oak
Vintage 1940s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Desks
Oak
Antique Early 19th Century French Louis Philippe Desks
Brass
Vintage 1920s French Louis XV Secretaires
Oak
Antique Late 18th Century Great Britain (UK) George III Secretaires
Elm, Glass, Mahogany, Oak, Pine
Antique 18th Century and Earlier French Secretaires
Antique Early 1900s Late Victorian Secretaires
Glass, Oak
20th Century American Victorian Secretaires
Glass, Oak
Antique Late 19th Century English George I Bookcases
Brass, Iron
Antique Late 18th Century English George III Desks
Glass, Mahogany, Oak, Pine
Vintage 1940s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Desks
Leather, Oak
Antique 19th Century British Georgian Secretaires
Mahogany, Oak, Pine
Vintage 1910s American Desks
Oak
Antique Early 1900s Canadian Desks
Oak
Antique 19th Century Spanish Secretaires
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Portuguese Secretaires
Pine, Oak
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Antique Mid-18th Century English Georgian Cupboards
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary American American Classical Beds and Bed F...
Wood
2010s French Louis Philippe Crystal Serveware
Crystal
Late 20th Century American Chippendale Bookcases
Brass
Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Stairs
Walnut
Antique 19th Century English Sofas
Walnut
Antique Early 19th Century English Sheraton Settees
Cane, Wood
Antique Early 19th Century French Louis XVI Secretaires
Brass
Antique 19th Century Chinese Late Victorian Vases
Ormolu
Vintage 1960s English Dinner Plates
Gold
Antique Mid-19th Century Danish Secretaires
Wood, Mahogany
Vintage 1930s American Georgian Cabinets
Brass
Antique Early 19th Century French Louis XVI Desks
Brass
Vintage 1960s Italian Hollywood Regency Dining Room Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
Antique 1850s English Elizabethan Cupboards
Oak
Antique Late 19th Century European Renaissance Revival Desks
Walnut, Glass
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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