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Obelisk Etagere

1980s Vintage Boho Tessellated Stone Obelisk Etagere
1980s Vintage Boho Tessellated Stone Obelisk Etagere

1980s Vintage Boho Tessellated Stone Obelisk Etagere

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

Make a monumental statement with this rare and captivating Vintage Tessellated Stone Obelisk

Category

Vintage 1980s American Neoclassical Shelves

Materials

Stone

Obelisk Etagere In Polished Aluminum
Obelisk Etagere In Polished Aluminum

Obelisk Etagere In Polished Aluminum

$2,400

H 78 in W 20 in D 20 in

Obelisk Etagere In Polished Aluminum

Located in St.Petersburg, FL

A stylish etagere, obelisk shaped, in polished aluminum, glass shelves, in the style of Milo

Category

Vintage 1970s American Vitrines

Materials

Aluminum

Rope and Tassel Gilt Obelisk Étagère
Rope and Tassel Gilt Obelisk Étagère

Rope and Tassel Gilt Obelisk Étagère

$4,500

H 66 in W 18.5 in D 18.5 in

Rope and Tassel Gilt Obelisk Étagère

Located in Queens, NY

Rope and tassel design (20th Century) gilt metal obelisk shaped 4 shelf etagere

Category

20th Century Art Deco Vitrines

Materials

Metal, Gold Leaf

Pair of Obelisk Étagères in Polished Aluminum
Pair of Obelisk Étagères in Polished Aluminum

Pair of Obelisk Étagères in Polished Aluminum

By Milo Baughman

Located in St.Petersburg, FL

A pair of unusual obelisk shaped étagères. Polished aluminum (aluminuim), with glass shelves and

Category

Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vitrines

Materials

Aluminum

1970s Polished Aluminum Obelisk Etageres with Five Glass Shelves
1970s Polished Aluminum Obelisk Etageres with Five Glass Shelves

1970s Polished Aluminum Obelisk Etageres with Five Glass Shelves

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

Wonderful and rare pair of highly polished Aluminum Obelisk with five shelves. The bottom shelf is

Category

20th Century American Modern Shelves

Materials

Aluminum

Italian Bronze & Brass Panther Head Coffee Table, c. 1980
Italian Bronze & Brass Panther Head Coffee Table, c. 1980

Italian Bronze & Brass Panther Head Coffee Table, c. 1980

$6,720Sale Price|20% Off

H 18.25 in W 44 in D 44 in

Italian Bronze & Brass Panther Head Coffee Table, c. 1980

By Romeo Rega

Located in Saint Louis, MO

freshly upholstered in purrrfect Leopard velvet, an Hollywood Regency Obelisk Étagere Cabinet in Red

Category

Vintage 1980s Italian Hollywood Regency Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Italian Modern Polished Chrome Obelisk Form Etagere
Italian Modern Polished Chrome Obelisk Form Etagere

Italian Modern Polished Chrome Obelisk Form Etagere

Located in Queens, NY

Italian Modern Polished Chrome Obelisk Form Etagere

Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Chrome

Pair of Contemporary Obelisk Form Four Shelf Ebonized Etageres / Display Shelves
Pair of Contemporary Obelisk Form Four Shelf Ebonized Etageres / Display Shelves

Pair of Contemporary Obelisk Form Four Shelf Ebonized Etageres / Display Shelves

Located in Queens, NY

PAIR of Mid-Century ebonized etageres / display cabinets with obelisk form containing four square

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Gold

Arthur Umanoff Iron Obelisk Pyramid-Form Freestanding Shelving Unit/Etagere
Arthur Umanoff Iron Obelisk Pyramid-Form Freestanding Shelving Unit/Etagere

Arthur Umanoff Iron Obelisk Pyramid-Form Freestanding Shelving Unit/Etagere

By Arthur Umanoff

Located in Brooklyn, NY

. Unique, graceful pyramid/obelisk-form with four rectangular shelves in faux wood grain laminated

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Wrought Iron

1970's Brass Wicker Obelisk Curio Etagere' Vitrine by Romeo Rega, Mario Sabot
1970's Brass Wicker Obelisk Curio Etagere' Vitrine by Romeo Rega, Mario Sabot

1970's Brass Wicker Obelisk Curio Etagere' Vitrine by Romeo Rega, Mario Sabot

By Romeo Rega

Located in Las Vegas, NV

Exceptionally rare Romeo Rega design for Mario Sabot, Obelisk curio etagere'. Made in Italy, circa

Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Vitrines

Materials

Brass

Recent Sales

Pair of Maison Jansen Chrome Etageres
Pair of Maison Jansen Chrome Etageres

Pair of Maison Jansen Chrome Etageres

Unavailable

H 63 in W 14.97 in D 14.97 in

Pair of Maison Jansen Chrome Etageres

By Maison Jansen

Located in Madrid, ES

Nice pair of chromed style etageres Maison Jansen, circa 1960

Category

Vintage 1960s French Obelisks

Materials

Chrome

Italian Modern Polished Chrome Obelisk Form Etagere
Italian Modern Polished Chrome Obelisk Form Etagere

Italian Modern Polished Chrome Obelisk Form Etagere

Unavailable

H 65 in W 15 in D 15 in

Italian Modern Polished Chrome Obelisk Form Etagere

Located in Hollywood, FL

Of typical obelisk form with graduating glass shelves for display starting from a few inches below

Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Modern Shelves

Materials

Chrome

Pair of Mastercraft Brass Obelisk Étagères
Pair of Mastercraft Brass Obelisk Étagères

Pair of Mastercraft Brass Obelisk Étagères

Sold

H 61 in W 17.25 in D 17.25 in

Pair of Mastercraft Brass Obelisk Étagères

By Mastercraft

Located in Tarrytown, NY

Pair of obelisk ètagères by Mastercraft. Brass and Glass. If too low, would look great on a walnut

Category

Vintage 1970s Shelves

Susanne Earls Carr-Designed Obelisk Etagere, 2010
Susanne Earls Carr-Designed Obelisk Etagere, 2010

Susanne Earls Carr-Designed Obelisk Etagere, 2010

Sold

H 78.5 in W 21.5 in D 14.5 in

Susanne Earls Carr-Designed Obelisk Etagere, 2010

Located in Astoria, NY

Susanne Earls Carr (American, 1955-2022) "Obelisk" etagere bookcase of typical form with removeable

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Modern Shelves

Materials

Wood

Obelisk Etagere
Obelisk Etagere

Obelisk Etagere

Sold

H 53 in W 17.75 in D 17.75 in

Obelisk Etagere

Located in Stamford, CT

Pink and gilt painted obelisk shaped three shelf etagere with ball feet and finial.

Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Shelves

Elegant Pair of Black Iron Obelisk Etageres
Elegant Pair of Black Iron Obelisk Etageres

Elegant Pair of Black Iron Obelisk Etageres

Sold

H 69 in W 19.5 in D 19.5 in

Elegant Pair of Black Iron Obelisk Etageres

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

Hand wrought iron three shelf etageres with brass finial. Top and middle shelf are glass and

Category

American Obelisks

Materials

Iron

Gilt Metal Faux Bamboo Obelisk Etagere, Circa 1960
Gilt Metal Faux Bamboo Obelisk Etagere, Circa 1960

Gilt Metal Faux Bamboo Obelisk Etagere, Circa 1960

Located in Rochester, NY

Faux bamboo gilt metal obelisk form etagere with four removable graduated size glass shelves

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Hollywood Regency Shelves

Materials

Metal, Gold Leaf

Eye-Catching Hand Painted Obelisk Shaped Book Shelf and Cabinet
Eye-Catching Hand Painted Obelisk Shaped Book Shelf and Cabinet

Eye-Catching Hand Painted Obelisk Shaped Book Shelf and Cabinet

Located in Hopewell, NJ

Two-piece hand painted yellow obelisk étagère and cabinet having orange red and black neoclassical

Category

Vintage 1970s American Bookcases

Materials

Wood

Obelisk Form Etagere, C 1970s
Obelisk Form Etagere, C 1970s

Obelisk Form Etagere, C 1970s

Sold

H 60.25 in W 20.5 in D 14.5 in

Obelisk Form Etagere, C 1970s

Located in Norwalk, CT

Sculptural and functional wrought iron etagere with three glass shelves in a charming obelisk form

Category

Vintage 1970s American Modern Shelves

Materials

Wrought Iron

Obelisk shaped etagere by the Mastercraft Furniture Co.
Obelisk shaped etagere by the Mastercraft Furniture Co.

Obelisk shaped etagere by the Mastercraft Furniture Co.

Located in Chicago, IL

This small, obelisk shaped etagere was made by Mastercraft Furniture. It is done in a burled wood

Category

Vintage 1960s American Shelves

Materials

Brass

Unique Midcentury Obelisk Shape Brass, Mahogany and Marble Display Etagere
Unique Midcentury Obelisk Shape Brass, Mahogany and Marble Display Etagere

Unique Midcentury Obelisk Shape Brass, Mahogany and Marble Display Etagere

Located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL

This fine display piece features an obelisk shape polished brass frame supporting two mahogany

Category

Mid-20th Century English Georgian Shelves

Materials

Marble, Brass

Mailand Smith Tessellated Étagère
Mailand Smith Tessellated Étagère

Mailand Smith Tessellated Étagère

Sold

H 74 in W 20 in D 20 in

Mailand Smith Tessellated Étagère

By Maitland Smith

Located in Houston, TX

Vintage tessellated black marble and brass obelisk shaped etagere with three glass shelves and one

Category

20th Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Marble, Brass

Pair of Vintage Iron Étagères
Pair of Vintage Iron Étagères

Pair of Vintage Iron Étagères

Sold

H 45 in W 16.75 in D 16.75 in

Pair of Vintage Iron Étagères

Located in Chicago, IL

A pair of charming iron obelisk shaped étagères. Each features four shelves in varying widths.

Category

Vintage 1960s Hollywood Regency Shelves

Materials

Iron

Obelisk Étagère/ Shelf 'Architettura' by Fornasetti
Obelisk Étagère/ Shelf 'Architettura' by Fornasetti

Obelisk Étagère/ Shelf 'Architettura' by Fornasetti

By Piero Fornasetti

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

Obelisk étagère/ shelf 'Architettura' by Fornasetti, large scale with one side open fitted with ten

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Shelves

Materials

Wood

Pair of Mastercraft Burnished Brass Obelisk Étagères
Pair of Mastercraft Burnished Brass Obelisk Étagères

Pair of Mastercraft Burnished Brass Obelisk Étagères

By Mastercraft

Located in Stamford, CT

Pair of burnished brass obelisk style étagères by Mastercraft. Each piece has three glass shelves

Category

Vintage 1970s American Chinoiserie Bookcases

Materials

Brass

Vintage Pair of Iron Obelisks
Vintage Pair of Iron Obelisks

Vintage Pair of Iron Obelisks

Sold

H 81 in W 15.5 in D 15.5 in

Vintage Pair of Iron Obelisks

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

Pair of wrought iron obelisk étagères with five display shelves. Brass acorn finial on top and

Category

20th Century Belgian Shelves

Gilt Obelisk Form Étagère
Gilt Obelisk Form Étagère

Gilt Obelisk Form Étagère

Sold

H 67 in W 26 in D 26 in

Gilt Obelisk Form Étagère

Located in Tarrytown, NY

Gilt étagère with Lucite shelves.

Category

Vintage 1960s Bookcases

Hollywood Regency Obelisk Form Étagère
Hollywood Regency Obelisk Form Étagère

Hollywood Regency Obelisk Form Étagère

Sold

H 88 in W 18 in D 15 in

Hollywood Regency Obelisk Form Étagère

Located in Lambertville, NJ

High style black obelisk form étagère. The ebonized painted wood case with gilt detail in the doors

Category

Vintage 1960s American Hollywood Regency Shelves

Materials

Hardwood

Modern Baker Milling Road Italian Etagere
Modern Baker Milling Road Italian Etagere

Modern Baker Milling Road Italian Etagere

By Baker Furniture Company

Located in Pasadena, TX

Baker Milling Road etagere 2000s An obelisk-shaped etagere with rich expresso tones and

Category

Early 2000s Italian Modern Shelves

Materials

Ebony

Pair Aluminum Obelisk Etagere
Pair Aluminum Obelisk Etagere

Pair Aluminum Obelisk Etagere

Sold

H 78 in W 20 in D 20 in

Pair Aluminum Obelisk Etagere

Located in New York, NY

Massive polished aluminum stock outlines an obelisk-form etagere with five shelves. Large, simple

Category

Vintage 1950s American Shelves

Materials

Aluminum

Set of Industrial Obelisk Etageres
Set of Industrial Obelisk Etageres

Set of Industrial Obelisk Etageres

Sold

H 78 in W 40.25 in D 16.75 in

Set of Industrial Obelisk Etageres

Located in New York, NY

Large etageres that can be sold together or separately. Obelisk or A-frame. Industrial style

Category

20th Century Shelves

Materials

Metal

Obelisk Étagère in Polished Aluminum
Obelisk Étagère in Polished Aluminum

Obelisk Étagère in Polished Aluminum

Sold

H 78 in W 20 in D 20 in

Obelisk Étagère in Polished Aluminum

Located in Stamford, CT

Circa 1970s Mid-Century Modern style étagère with five glass shelves in the manner of Milo Baughman

Category

Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Aluminum

Obelisk Shaped Etagere
Obelisk Shaped Etagere

Obelisk Shaped Etagere

Sold

H 76 in W 29 in D 17 in

Obelisk Shaped Etagere

Located in Kilmarnock, VA

A delightful lattice work, three tiered etagere retaining old green paint.

Category

Vintage 1940s American Shelves

Materials

Wood

Iron Obelisk Form Etagere
Iron Obelisk Form Etagere

Iron Obelisk Form Etagere

Sold

H 68 in W 21 in D 21 in

Iron Obelisk Form Etagere

By Maitland Smith

Located in Chicago, IL

A hand forged iron shelf in a pyramid form . The etagere's shelves are clad in tesselated stone.

Category

Vintage 1970s Philippine Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Stone, Iron

Superb Hollywood Regency Gilt Obelisk Form Etagere
Superb Hollywood Regency Gilt Obelisk Form Etagere

Superb Hollywood Regency Gilt Obelisk Form Etagere

Located in Chicago, IL

A wonderful and well proportioned obelisk form etagere composed of a gilt metal bamboo frame and

Category

20th Century Italian Shelves

Materials

Metal

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Mastercraft Dome Shape Top Two Doors Glass Shelve Display Curio Cabinet Showcase
Mastercraft Dome Shape Top Two Doors Glass Shelve Display Curio Cabinet Showcase

Mastercraft Dome Shape Top Two Doors Glass Shelve Display Curio Cabinet Showcase

By Established Lines, Mastercraft

Located in Rockaway, NJ

Mastercraft Dome Shape Top Two Doors Glass Shelve Display Curio Cabinet Showcase MINT

Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Vitrines

Materials

Brass

20th Century Art Nouveau Revival Italian Sterling Silver Vase
20th Century Art Nouveau Revival Italian Sterling Silver Vase

20th Century Art Nouveau Revival Italian Sterling Silver Vase

By Ferrari Milano

Located in VALENZA, IT

Sterling silver vase in Art Nouveau - Liberty style made entirely by hand. The preparation of the structure of the vase required several processing times. The vase was made in differ...

Category

Vintage 1980s Italian Art Nouveau Sterling Silver

Materials

Sterling Silver

Wonderful Pair of Arthur Umanoff Wrought Iron Stools Benches Mid-Century Modern
Wonderful Pair of Arthur Umanoff Wrought Iron Stools Benches Mid-Century Modern

Wonderful Pair of Arthur Umanoff Wrought Iron Stools Benches Mid-Century Modern

By Arthur Umanoff

Located in Pemberton, NJ

Wonderful pair of Arthur Umanoff stacking stools from the 1964 Grenada Collection for Boyuer Scott, Shaver Howard collections. This pair is in wonderful vintage condition with a love...

Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Iron

Sculptural Mid Century Modern Italian Brass Bed circa 1970s
Sculptural Mid Century Modern Italian Brass Bed circa 1970s

Sculptural Mid Century Modern Italian Brass Bed circa 1970s

Located in Atlanta, GA

Sculptural Mid Century Modern Brass Bed, probably Italian, circa 1970s. It can accommodate a queen size mattress. Here are the detailed measurements: 47.5" headboard height Overall w...

Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Metal, Brass

Grand Mastercraft Designed Three Part Brass & Glass Vitrines or Curio Cabinets
Grand Mastercraft Designed Three Part Brass & Glass Vitrines or Curio Cabinets

Grand Mastercraft Designed Three Part Brass & Glass Vitrines or Curio Cabinets

By Mastercraft

Located in Dallas, TX

Architecturally-inspired this breathtaking three part brass Curved China cabinet set by Mastercraft, inviting drama into any space. Dedicated to creating hand-constructed furnishings...

Category

Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets

Materials

Brass

Russian Gilt Bronze and Malachite Covered Vase
Russian Gilt Bronze and Malachite Covered Vase

Russian Gilt Bronze and Malachite Covered Vase

Located in New York, NY

A Russian gilt bronze and malachite covered vase on porphyry base. Form of winged cupids supporting a malachite vase. Russia, circa 1800. Height 14 in. A similar piece sold at ...

Category

Antique Early 19th Century Russian Vases

Materials

Malachite, Porphyry, Bronze

A Fine French 19th Century Empire Style Mahogany and Ormolu Mounted Crib Cradle
A Fine French 19th Century Empire Style Mahogany and Ormolu Mounted Crib Cradle

A Fine French 19th Century Empire Style Mahogany and Ormolu Mounted Crib Cradle

Located in Los Angeles, CA

A Very Fine French or Russian 19th Century Empire Style Mahogany, Ormolu Mounted and Parcel-Gildwood Carved Crib & Bedding. The egg-shaped oblong rocking cradle supported at each...

Category

Antique 19th Century French Empire Revival Children's Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Pair of Obelisk Display Vitrines by Andre Arbus
Pair of Obelisk Display Vitrines by Andre Arbus

Pair of Obelisk Display Vitrines by Andre Arbus

$34,765 / set

H 88.59 in W 20.87 in D 13.78 in

Pair of Obelisk Display Vitrines by Andre Arbus

By André Arbus

Located in Paris, FR

Pair of Obelisk display Vitrines by genius French designer and iconic decorator of 1940s Andre Arbus (1903 - 1969).

Category

Vintage 1940s French Art Deco Vitrines

Materials

Wood

Franklin Solid Wood Corner Shelf, Walnut
Franklin Solid Wood Corner Shelf, Walnut

Franklin Solid Wood Corner Shelf, Walnut

$420 / item

H 23.75 in W 20 in D 20 in

Franklin Solid Wood Corner Shelf, Walnut

Located in Cincinnati, US

The award nominated Franklin Shelf is a 90 degree corner shelf. This unique design allows for maximum storage space, while occupying a very small area. The smooth wooden finish of th...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Scandinavian Modern Shelves and W...

Materials

Wood, Cherry, Maple, Walnut

Large Russian Neoclassical Malachite and Ormolu Urn or Vase, 19th Century
Large Russian Neoclassical Malachite and Ormolu Urn or Vase, 19th Century

Large Russian Neoclassical Malachite and Ormolu Urn or Vase, 19th Century

Located in New York, NY

A large Russian neoclassical malachite, Campana shaped urn or Vase, the ormolu twin handles modeled with acorns, on a circular spreading foot with square stepped plinth, 19th centu...

Category

Antique 19th Century European Neoclassical Vases

Materials

Malachite, Ormolu

Charles Hollis Jones Table with Lucite Base
Charles Hollis Jones Table with Lucite Base

Charles Hollis Jones Table with Lucite Base

By Charles Hollis Jones

Located in New York, NY

Elegant three Lucite legs with an aluminum stretcher base supports the original plate glass top (.5 inch thickness ). Design by Charles Hollis Jones. Original, clean, ready to use c...

Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Side Tables

Materials

Chrome

Exotic Burled Multi Purpose Wall Unit
Exotic Burled Multi Purpose Wall Unit

Exotic Burled Multi Purpose Wall Unit

$3,120Sale Price|36% Off

H 83 in W 92.25 in D 17.5 in

Exotic Burled Multi Purpose Wall Unit

Located in Pasadena, TX

A mid century modern wall unit executed in an exotic burled veneer. A multi-use piece containing a desk, fitted flatware drawers, and extensive shelved storage both open and conceal...

Category

Vintage 1960s Bookcases

Materials

Wood

Chinese Asymmetrical Zitan Wood Collector's Shelf/Room Divider
Chinese Asymmetrical Zitan Wood Collector's Shelf/Room Divider

Chinese Asymmetrical Zitan Wood Collector's Shelf/Room Divider

Located in Dallas, TX

Unique blending of classical Chinese and Art Deco Étagère/ room divider, first quarter of the 20th century. All handcrafted free standing shelving unit, featuring asymmetrically conf...

Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Shelves

Materials

Wood

Bed by Astarte Milano, Italy, 1970s
Bed by Astarte Milano, Italy, 1970s

Bed by Astarte Milano, Italy, 1970s

$7,432

H 20.87 in W 72.84 in D 88.19 in

Bed by Astarte Milano, Italy, 1970s

By Astarte Milano

Located in bruxelles, BE

Dark brown fiberglass bed designed by Astarte Milan in the 1970s. It is composed of 4 modules that are fixed together. It has the original metal base and original protective cover. W...

Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Metal

Four Poster Parzinger Style Bed (Queen) Black Lacquer on Brass Plinth
Four Poster Parzinger Style Bed (Queen) Black Lacquer on Brass Plinth

Four Poster Parzinger Style Bed (Queen) Black Lacquer on Brass Plinth

By Tommi Parzinger

Located in Hanover, MA

Vintage custom queen size four poster bed after a design by Tommi Parzinger (see last image for an image from a 1950's Good Housekeeping magazine). Gloss black lacquered wood bed mo...

Category

Vintage 1950s American Hollywood Regency Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Brass

Space-Age Nickel Pendant
Space-Age Nickel Pendant

Space-Age Nickel Pendant

Sold|$2,500

H 29 in Dm 21 in

Space-Age Nickel Pendant

Located in Tarrytown, NY

Space-age polished nickel pendant with frosted glass shade.

Category

Vintage 1960s Japanese Space Age Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Nickel

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Obelisk Etagere For Sale on 1stDibs

With a vast inventory of beautiful furniture at 1stDibs, we’ve got just the obelisk etagere you’re looking for. Each obelisk etagere for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using metal, glass and wood. You’ve searched high and low for the perfect obelisk etagere — we have versions that date back to the 20th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 21st Century are available. A obelisk etagere made by Mid-Century Modern designers — as well as those associated with Art Deco — is very popular. Many designers have produced at least one well-made obelisk etagere over the years, but those crafted by Mastercraft and Piero Fornasetti are often thought to be among the most beautiful.

How Much is a Obelisk Etagere?

Prices for a obelisk etagere can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, they begin at $950 and can go as high as $5,200, while the average can fetch as much as $2,425.

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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