Specimen Chest
Antique Victorian Oak Specimen Chest
Located in London, GB
A beautiful antique Victorian oak specimen chest. This was made in England, it dates from around
Category
Antique 1880s British Late Victorian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Oak
Antique Victorian Burr Walnut Specimen Chest of Drawers
Located in London, GB
A lovely little antique Victorian burr walnut specimen chest of drawers. This was made in England
Category
Antique 1880s British Late Victorian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Walnut
Antique Master Specimen Chest, English, Satinwood, Document Archive, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique master specimen chest on stand. An English, satinwood document archive or
Category
Antique Late 19th Century British Cabinets
Materials
Satinwood
$4,932
H 33.08 in W 30.12 in D 20.48 in
Antique Wellington Chest, English Walnut Specimen Collector's Drawers, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a tall antique Wellington chest. An English, walnut collector's specimen chest of drawers
Category
Antique 1860s British Victorian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Walnut
$7,629
H 48.43 in W 29.53 in D 17.72 in
Antique Specimen Collector's Chest of Drawers, English, Artist's Case, Edwardian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a fine antique specimen collector’s chest of drawers. An English supply cabinet in walnut
Category
Antique Early 1900s British Edwardian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Milk Glass, Walnut
$1,962
H 16.54 in W 14.18 in D 10.04 in
Pair of Antique Scottish Late Victorian Mahogany Collector’s Chests
Located in Glasgow, GB
A good quality pair of late 19th century solid mahogany collector’s or specimen chests with trade
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Scottish Victorian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
$3,158 / set
H 44.89 in W 19.3 in D 16.34 in
Pair of Antique Collector's Chests, English, Specimen Cases, Victorian, C.1870
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
present as a fine pair of desktop storage chests
These antique specimen chests offer excellent form and
Category
Antique 1870s British Victorian Cabinets
Materials
Mahogany, Cedar
$2,280 / set
H 10.04 in W 15.36 in D 13.59 in
Treasure Chest Borwn Druze, Polished Celadonite Border and Calcite Formation
Located in London, GB
A wonderful formation with abundant agatized exterior polished to reveal
the different mineral layers and the interior with a lining of brown drize
over various stalactites with a ...
Category
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Uruguayan Natural Specimens
Materials
Agate, Amethyst, Quartz
$5,500
H 10.24 in W 11.03 in D 4.73 in
ANTIQUE GEORGIAN CIRCA 1780-1820 SEASHELL SPECIMEN COLLECTORS CHEST OF DRAWERs
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
perfect lightly restored Circa 1780-1820 Georgian salesman sample Chest of drawers which has been used as
Category
Antique 1780s English Georgian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Hardwood, Satinwood
$3,776
H 13.98 in W 14.97 in D 6.89 in
LARGE RARE VICTORIAN ANTIQUE MILITARY CAMPAIGN SPECiMEN TRUNK OR LETTERS TRUNK
Located in Pulborough, GB
reinforced metal hardware, it's built for durability. It may have compartments, letter slots, or specimen
Category
20th Century British Blanket Chests
Materials
Oak
$1,922 Sale Price
20% Off
H 27.56 in W 43.31 in D 22.84 in
Pair Of French Marquetry Bombe Commodes With Specimen Marble Tops
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Pair of French commodes with conforming specimen marble tops and two drawers with large cartouche
Category
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Marble, Metal
$14,500 / set
H 33 in W 43 in D 20.5 in
Antique Desktop Specimen Case, English, Miniature Chest of Drawers, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique desktop specimen case. An English, mahogany and brass miniature chest of
Category
Antique Late 19th Century British Late Victorian Desk Sets
Materials
Wood
$1,661
H 15.95 in W 14.97 in D 11.03 in
Rare 18th Century Library Yew Wood Specimen Collectors Cabinet Chest on Stand
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Rare 18th Century Yew Wood Veneered Cross banded Specimen Library Cabinet Chest on Stand.
The
Category
Antique Late 18th Century British Sheraton Cabinets
Materials
Brass
$19,772 Sale Price
20% Off
H 56.7 in W 40.95 in D 16.54 in
Vintage Specimen Collector's Chest of Drawers, French, Walnut Desk Box, Art Deco
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage specimen collector's chest of drawers. A French, solid walnut four drawer
Category
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Scientific Instruments
Materials
Walnut
$4,275
H 12.21 in W 19.3 in D 13.39 in
Recent Sales
19th Century Portuguese Specimen Wood Travelling Chest
Located in New York, NY
A 19th century Portuguese brass-bound low chest with brass carrying handles and bands of specimen
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Portuguese Spanish Colonial Blanket Chests
Materials
Wood
Antique Victorian Walnut Specimen Cabinet Chest Interiors Salvage
Located in Potters Bar, Herts
Gorgoeus antique Victorian walnut specimen cabinet.
Glass front covers the think drawers designed
Category
Antique 1860s Victorian Cupboards
Specimen Chest
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An ebonized specimen chest of drawers in leather and brass handles.
Category
Antique 19th Century English Victorian Decorative Boxes
Materials
Leather, Wood
Pair of 19th Century Mahogany Specimen Chests
Located in Cheshire, GB
Exceptional pair of 19th century specimen chests, having large rectangular mahogany top above nine
Category
Antique 19th Century British Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Mahogany
Early 19th Century English Regency Mahogany Six-Drawer Specimen Chest
Located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Early 19th century English Regency mahogany specimen chest of six drawers with lion head pulls
Category
Antique Early 19th Century English Regency Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
H 19.5 in W 15.25 in D 11.75 in
Antique Specimen Chest, English, Collector's Chest of Drawers, Georgian, C.1800
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique specimen chest. An English, mahogany suite of collector's drawers, dating to the
Category
Antique Late 18th Century British Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Wood
H 34.65 in W 28.15 in D 13.78 in
French Mahogany Specimen Chest Solid Walnut, circa 1920
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
French mahogany specimen chest in solid walnut, circa 1920.
Category
Vintage 1910s French Arts and Crafts Cabinets
Materials
Walnut
Antique Victorian Walnut and Oak Specimen Chest
Located in London, GB
A beautiful antique Victorian walnut and oak specimen chest. This was made in England, it dates
Category
Antique 1860s British High Victorian Cabinets
Materials
Oak, Walnut
Antique Correspondence Cabinet, Scottish, Victorian, Oak, Specimen Chest
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique correspondence cabinet, a Scottish, Victorian, oak specimen chest with
Category
Antique 19th Century Scottish Early Victorian Cabinets
Materials
Oak
H 14.18 in W 13 in D 9.45 in
Antique Specimen Chest, English, Oak, Collector's Cabinet, Edwardian, Circa 1910
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique specimen chest. An English, oak collector's cabinet, dating to the Edwardian
Category
Early 20th Century British Cabinets
Materials
Oak
H 28.55 in W 18.71 in D 12.8 in
19th Century Scientific Pine Specimen Chest
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This unique specimen cabinet features eleven smaller drawers above three larger ones, all with
Category
Antique 19th Century Apothecary Cabinets
Materials
Brass
Denver Colorado D C Woodend, 1885 Table Top Geology Mineral Specimen Chest
Located in Lowestoft, GB
A charming and untouched table top collectors chest, oversailing rectangular top above two short
Category
Antique 1880s American Scientific Instruments
Materials
Natural Fiber, Pine
H 14.38 in W 14.18 in D 6.11 in
Late 19th Century Mahogany Collectors Chest
Located in Dublin 8, IE
Late 19th Century mahogany collectors or specimen chest, circa 1880. The rectangular moulded top
Category
Antique 19th Century Irish Victorian Cabinets
Materials
Mahogany
Small Antique Wellington Chest, Oak, Fruitwood, Campaign, Specimen, circa 1890
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a small, antique Wellington chest. An English, oak and fruitwood, Campaign specimen chest
Category
Antique 19th Century English Victorian Cabinets
Materials
Oak
H 27.17 in W 21.07 in D 12.01 in
Antique Wellington Chest of Drawers, English, Oak, Specimen Cabinet, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique Wellington chest of drawers. An English, oak specimen cabinet, dating to the
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century British Victorian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Oak
H 18.51 in W 13.19 in D 9.85 in
Antique Specimen Cabinet, English, Mahogany, Chest of Drawers, Shop, Edwardian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique specimen cabinet. An English, mahogany and boxwood chest of drawers ideal for
Category
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Boxwood, Mahogany
H 34.65 in W 25.6 in D 20.48 in
19th Century Mahogany Chest of Drawers or Cabinet, Natural History Museum
Located in Hook, Hampshire
Victorian Natural History Museum specimen chest of drawers or cabinet. This ten drawer specimen
Category
Antique 1890s British Late Victorian Cupboards
Materials
Mahogany
H 67.72 in W 41.34 in D 34.65 in
Pair of Italian Neoclassical Multi Specimen Wood Commodes
Located in Dallas, TX
Very fine pair of Italian commodes with beautiful inlaid pattern. Various kinds of wood used making for a nice contrast and intricate pattern. Absolutely gorgeous!
Category
Antique 19th Century Italian Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Wood
19th Century French Walnut Specimen Louis XV Style Commode
Located in WEST PALM BEACH, FL
This is a beautifully detailed walnut specimen Louis XV bombe commode with three drawers exhibiting
Category
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Walnut
Early Antique Italian Specimen Marble, Kingwood & Satinwood Inlaid Commode 18thC
Located in Big Flats, NY
An early antique Italian commode offers specimen marble top over kingwood chest having two drawers
Category
Antique 18th Century Italian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Kingwood, Satinwood
H 33.5 in W 33.5 in D 16.5 in
English Side Lock Semainier with Well Figured Specimen Walnut
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A traditional seven-drawer semainier with dove tailed joinery, magnificent swirled training, round knobs and fine condition.
Rosewood cross banding with satin wood string inlay.
Category
Early 20th Century English Regency Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Rosewood, Walnut
Massive Vintage Document Cabinet, English, Oak, Specimen, Art, Archive, Cupboard
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a massive vintage document cabinet. An English, oak specimen collector or art storage
Category
Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Oak
H 75.2 in W 73.23 in D 58.67 in
Antique, Campaign Chest, English, Ebonised, Mahogany, Trunk, circa 1880
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique campaign chest, an English, gentleman's specimen or craft chest with wonderful
Category
Antique 19th Century English Victorian Blanket Chests
Materials
Mahogany
H 19.3 in W 34.06 in D 21.26 in
Antique Victorian Collectors Cabinet Wellington Chest 19th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a fabulous antique English Victorian burr walnut table-top collector's specimen cabinet or
Category
Antique 1850s English Victorian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Walnut
Antique Collectors Chest, Victorian Specimen Cabinet
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a fine antique collectors chest or specimen cabinet dating to the end of the 19th century
Category
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Cabinets
Materials
Walnut
Antique Collector's Specimen Case, English, Oak, Chest, Jewellery Box, Edwardian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique collector's specimen case. An English, oak chest or jewellery box with
Category
Early 20th Century British Edwardian Jewelry Boxes
Materials
Oak
H 11.23 in W 18.31 in D 12.8 in
Large Antique Printer's Cabinet, Industrial, Plan Chest, Specimen, Art Vault
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
, ideal as a plan chest, specimen or art vault with maker's mark for Caslon Printers, dating to the late
Category
Antique Late 19th Century British Victorian Cabinets
Materials
Pine
H 49.41 in W 35.04 in D 16.54 in
Antique Damascus Mother-of-pearl and Specimen Wood Inlaid Table Chest
Located in London, GB
This is a magnificent Syrian Damascus mother of pearl and specimen wood inlaid table chest, dating
Category
Antique 1890s Syrian More Desk Accessories
Materials
Mother-of-Pearl, Wood
Victorian Natural History Museum Specimen Chest of Drawers/Cabinet
Located in Hook, Hampshire
Victorian Natural History Museum specimen chest of drawers/cabinet
Victorian Natural History
Category
Antique 1890s British Shelves
Materials
Mahogany
18th Century, English George II Collector's Specimen Chest with 22 Drawers
Located in Austin, TX
A beautiful English George II joined hardwood collector's specimen cabinet, fashioned as a
Category
Antique Mid-18th Century English George II Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Hardwood, Mahogany
Set of Small Assorted Stone Shiva Linga from the Narmada River in Treasure Chest
Located in Yonkers, NY
A set of small assorted stone Shiva Linga from the Narmada River in treasure chest. A perfect
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Natural Specimens
Materials
Stone, Metal
H 4.5 in W 6.5 in D 4.25 in
Antique Glazed Specimen Cabinet, English, Tallboy, Chest of Drawers, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique glazed specimen cabinet. An English, mahogany tallboy chest of drawers, dating
Category
Antique Late 19th Century British Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Wood
H 43.31 in W 23.04 in D 16.74 in
Specimen Drawer
Located in Culver City, CA
Quarter sawn oak with turned pulls.
Category
Antique 19th Century English Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Oak
Antique English Oak Bank of Collector's Drawers Specimen Cabinet Curiosities
Located in Sherborne, Dorset
A wonderful bank of collector’s display drawers in solid oak, dating from the early 1900s, complete with 11 drawers with turned knob handles, raised on straight legs. The grain of th...
Category
Early 20th Century British Late Victorian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Oak
H 41.93 in W 21.26 in D 17.33 in
19th Century English Specimen Wellington Chest
Located in Hudson, NY
The exquisite 19th Century English Specimen Wellington Chest, shown here, is a true find. Featuring
Category
Antique 19th Century English Victorian Apothecary Cabinets
Materials
Mahogany
Chinese Calamanda Speciamine Wood Collectors Chest of Drawers Chest, circa 1880
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Calamander specimen wood collectors chest of drawers
What a find! This piece is amazing. The frame is
Category
Antique 1880s Chinese Victorian Furniture
Materials
Wood
H 12.8 in W 13.98 in D 7.49 in
Antique Victorian Collectors Cabinet Wellington Chest 19th Century
Located in London, GB
collector's specimen cabinet or Wellington chest, circa 1840 in date.
The piece is made from beautiful burr
Category
Antique 19th Century English Early Victorian Cabinets
Materials
Walnut
Antique French 19th Century Twenty-Four Drawer Specimen Chest
Located in Hudson, NY
A very handsome antique French 19th Century twenty-four drawer specimen chest, with original solid
Category
Antique Late 19th Century French Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Hardwood
English Pine Specimen Chest
Located in Pasadena, CA
This small scale pine Victorian chest was originally used to store specimen collections. The pine
Category
Antique 19th Century English Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Pine
Sheet Music Cabinets, File Cabinets, Walnut, Scotland 1910, Antiques, B1208
Located in Vancouver, BC
Sheet music cabinets, specimen chests, file cabinets, walnut, Scotland 1910, antique furniture
Category
Vintage 1910s Scottish Cabinets
Materials
Walnut
18th Century George III Chinoiserie Chest on Chest
Located in San Francisco, CA
an amazing 18th Century specimen
the ebonized chest with gilt wood
chinoiserie
Category
Antique 18th Century and Earlier English Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Miniature Walnut Wellington Chest/End Table, England, 19th Century
Located in New York, NY
Miniature Burl Walnut Wellington Chest/Specimen Cabinet with Six Drawers Fitted With Interior Glass
Category
Antique 19th Century English End Tables
Materials
Burl, Walnut
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Italian Mid-Century Vanity Console by Cesare Lacca with Mirror in Burl Walnut
By Cesare Lacca
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Code: FH27
Majestic vanity dressing table console with mirror, 1950s by Cesare Lacca per La Permanente Mobili Cantù , in burl walnut folder. Large shaped mirror. Console with two si...
Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Pier Mirrors and Console Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Walnut, Burl
$12,600
H 71.2 in W 54.4 in D 16 in
Bertu Counter Stools, White Oak Counter Stool, Chile Stool
By Bertu Furniture
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
Bertu Counter Stools, White Oak Counter Stool, Chile Stool
This White Oak Chile Counter Stool is beautifully constructed from solid wood in Ohio, USA. The stool is chunky and modern...
Category
2010s American Modern Stools
Materials
Wood, Oak
Italian Design Bar Set in the Style of Joe Colombo, 1960s
By Joe Colombo
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
This is a beautiful and sophisticated piece of mid-century furniture. The Italian design of the 60s is distinctive and evident in this bar set. This design line and its qualities mak...
Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dry Bars
Materials
Chrome
$8,376 Sale Price / set
30% Off
H 74.41 in W 42.33 in D 10.63 in
Japanese Antique Cabinet with Glass Doors, Taisho Era (1912–1926), Wabi-Sabi
Located in Hitachiomiya-shi, 08
This antique cabinet with glass sliding doors was crafted in the Taisho Era (1912–1926).
Built in Japanese cherry and cedar with persimmon-wood drawer fronts, and finished in tradit...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Taisho Cabinets
Materials
Wood, Cherry, Cedar
$2,000
H 47.52 in W 36.62 in D 14.97 in
Japanese Antique BK Middle Drawer 1860s-1900s / Tansu Storage Wabisabi
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is a very old Japanese black drawer storage.
The furniture is from the Meiji period (1860s-1900s).
It is probably from the Tohoku region of Japan.
The material is mainly cedar w...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Cedar
$860
H 18.71 in W 18.71 in D 11.82 in
George 111 Mahogany Bachelors Chest
Located in Bradenton, FL
Georgian Mahogany serpentine front bachelors chest resting on tall ogee bracket feet 1790-1800. Nicely figured solid Cuban Mahogany molded edge top over a pull out brushing slide a...
Category
Antique Late 18th Century Unknown George III Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Wood
A Pair Of Louis XV Style Mahogany Marble-Top Side Tables
Located in Bradenton, FL
Beautiful Pair of Louis XV Style Side Tables with Marble Tops characterized by classic elegance, curves and cabriole legs. The reddish brown marble tops add luxury and functionality....
Category
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Side Tables
Materials
Marble
French 19th Century Louis XV Bedside Table
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
An enchanting Louis XV style 19th century oak table de chevet, or bedside table, with expressive rococo carvings around the case. The lightly patinated top surface is framed by an un...
Category
Antique 19th Century French Louis XV Side Tables
Materials
Oak
Mahogany Writing Desk
Located in Cheshire, GB
Mahogany and fruitwood inlaid ladies writing desk. The superstructure with central shelf flanked by sloped lidded piers, each with a single drawer. The shaped molded edge top with in...
Category
Early 20th Century British Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Pierre Paulin 'Boston' Garden Chairs for Henry Massonnet in Black and Red
By Pierre Paulin
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Boston garden chairs by French furniture designer Pierre Paulin and manufactured by Henry Massonnet/STAMP in 1988. Paulin was influenced here by (and built on the work of) Dutch "De...
Category
Vintage 1980s French Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Materials
Plastic
$125 / item
H 37 in W 21 in D 23.5 in
Japanese Antique Small Tea Shelf"Chadana", Early Showa Period '1926-'
Located in Hitachiomiya-shi, 08
This small japanese tea shelf was crafted in the Early Showa Period'1926-'.
This piece features a harmonious design, combining the muted tones of Japanese Pagoda Tree (Enju) wood wi...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Showa Cabinets
Materials
Wood
$1,200
H 25.99 in W 23.63 in D 10.91 in
18th Century Decorated Walnut Chest of Drawers
Located in High Point, NC
Early 18th century decorated walnut chest of drawers from England. The top is made of two planks and has gorgeous banding around the edge of the chest which ends in beveled molded ed...
Category
Antique 18th Century English Queen Anne Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Walnut
Regency Rosewood Pembroke Table
Located in Whaley Bridge, GB
Sn4289 fine Regency drop leaf table in rosewood, having string inlaid top above two string inlaid drawers and two dummy drawers to back, all fitted with brass handles and flanked by ...
Category
Antique 1820s English Regency Side Tables
Materials
Rosewood
Flair Wall Cabinets in Plastic, Netherlands, 1970s
By Flair
Located in San Benedetto Del Tronto, IT
This pair of wall-mounted storage units was designed by Flair in the Netherlands during the 1970s, a period known for bold experimentation in color, shape, and materials. Crafted fro...
Category
Vintage 1970s Dutch Space Age Apothecary Cabinets
Materials
Plastic
Japanese Antique Drawer 1920s-1940s / Paulownia chest of drawer
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is a very old Japanese drawer storage.
This is from the Early Showa period (1920s-1940s).
The material is Paulownia.
Paulownia wood is the least prone to warping and deformatio...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Showa Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Cedar
$1,200
H 20.28 in W 23.82 in D 12.01 in
18th Century Silk Fabric French Empire
By Aubusson Manufacture
Located in Canterbury, GB
A long panel of Antique Silk
French Empire and dating from 18th century
Beautiful, hard to find Dark Olive Green colourway
Antique gently time worn condition with general signs ...
Category
Antique 18th Century French Empire Pillows and Throws
Materials
Silk
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Specimen Chest For Sale on 1stDibs
Choose from an assortment of styles, material and more with respect to the specimen chest you’re looking for at 1stDibs. Each specimen chest for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using wood, mahogany and oak. You’ve searched high and low for the perfect specimen chest — we have versions that date back to the 18th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 20th Century are available. When you’re browsing for the right specimen chest, those designed in Victorian, Regency and Arts and Crafts styles are of considerable interest.
How Much is a Specimen Chest?
The average selling price for a specimen chest at 1stDibs is $3,200, while they’re typically $948 on the low end and $18,500 for the highest priced.
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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