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Specimen Chest

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

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

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

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

Vintage Artisan Treasure Cost Chest with Sea Shells
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Vintage artisan made treasure cost chest decorated with natural sea shells and corals. Great
Category

Vintage 1970s American Organic Modern Natural Specimens

Materials

Shell

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

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

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

Entomogy Cabinet Intact with Speciments, Keravan Puuteollisuus, Finland 1950s
By Ilmari Tapiovaara, Keravan Puuteollisuus Oy
Located in Helsinki, FI
Puuteollisuus Oy, very likely designed by Ilmari Tapiovaara. These specimen chests were traditionally used by
Category

Vintage 1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Cabinets

Materials

Acrylic, Birch

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

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

Rare 18th Century Library Yew Wood Specimen Collectors Cabinet Chest on Stand
Rare 18th Century Library Yew Wood Specimen Collectors Cabinet Chest on Stand
$17,352 Sale Price
30% 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

18th Century Northern Italy Polychrome Lacca Povera Wood Antique Table Cabinet
Located in Forney, TX
apothecary paper cabinet strong box writing desk table chest of drawers specimen collector's curiosity
Category

Antique 18th Century Italian Baroque Apothecary Cabinets

Materials

Gesso, Wood, Pine, Paint

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

Specimen Chest
H 17.5 in W 14 in D 11.5 in
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 Oak Specimen Chest
Antique Victorian Oak Specimen Chest
H 14.18 in W 13 in D 11.42 in
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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Specimen Drawer
Specimen Drawer
H 31.25 in W 21.75 in D 16.5 in
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

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

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

English Pine Specimen Chest
English Pine Specimen Chest
H 29.5 in W 22.5 in D 17.5 in
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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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 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

Italian 18th Century Architectural Carved and Giltwood Tabernacle as a Temple
Located in Firenze, IT
This Italian 18th century Louis XVI period hand carved and gilt wood architectural fragment probably was the central section of a bigger altar tabernacle that can now be used as a de...
Category

Antique 18th Century Italian Louis XVI Architectural Models

Materials

Iron, Wrought Iron, Gold Leaf

Victorian Mahogany Inlaid Pier Cabinet
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
For sale is a Victorian mahogany and inlaid pier cabinet, in good condition, showing minor signs of wear commensurate with age and use. Measures: width: 31.5", depth: 11.5", heigh...
Category

Antique 19th Century English Cabinets

Materials

Mahogany

Victorian Mahogany Inlaid Pier Cabinet
Victorian Mahogany Inlaid Pier Cabinet
$1,308
H 41.34 in W 31.5 in D 11.42 in
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

Antique Hall Table, Scottish, Oak, Side, Reception, Gothic Revival, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique hall table. A Scottish, oak side table with Gothic revival taste, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1880. Attractive example of fine 19th century Scotti...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Scottish Late Victorian Console Tables

Materials

Oak

Italian Walnut Marquetry Inlay Side Table, 18th Century
Located in San Francisco, CA
A small two-drawer walnut side table with exceptional marquetry inlaid design, and having wonderful presence and style. Recently refinished and conditioned. In remarkable antique con...
Category

Antique 18th Century Italian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Walnut

Early 20th Century carved mahogany wine table
Located in Martlesham, GB
A lovely quality early 20th Century carved mahogany wine table, having a beautifully figured top with a pie crust edge, supported on a highly carved column and acanthus capped tripod...
Category

Vintage 1910s British Edwardian Side Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Rare Fine Antique Early Victorian Military Campaign Writing Slope Davenport Desk
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this early Victorian Military Campaign writing slope in the form of a Davenport desk circa 1840-1860 in solid mahogany I’ve only ever seen one o...
Category

Antique 1840s English Early Victorian Desks

Materials

Leather, Hardwood

PETITE MONOLITH Italian Modern Brass & Enamel Chandelier, Blueprint Lighting
By Arredoluce, Stilnovo, Mathieu Matégot
Located in New York, NY
Our Petite Monolith fixture is a more moderately scaled 5-shade version of our wildly successful Monolith chandelier. This go-anywhere design plays well in both modern and tradition...
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Brass, Bronze, Copper, Enamel, Stainless Steel

18th Century Two-Drawer Walnut Side Table Chest on Legs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Petite bedside nightstand or side table commode of walnut. Its rectangular molded top, over two stacked drawers with round brass pulls. The drawers are flanked by stiles carved with ...
Category

Antique Late 18th Century Italian Night Stands

Materials

Brass

Süe & Mare rosewood and amboyna burl desk 1921
By Sue et Mare
Located in Paris, IDF
This walnut, rosewood, and amboyna burl veneer desk dates from the early 1920s and was created by Louis Süe and André Mare. It takes us straight to the height of the Art Deco period....
Category

Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Amboyna

Süe & Mare rosewood and amboyna burl desk 1921
Süe & Mare rosewood and amboyna burl desk 1921
$91,868
H 29.53 in W 43.31 in D 28.75 in
Modern Belmonte Bedside Table, Patagonia Quartz, Handmade Portugal Greenapple
By Rute Martins, Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Belmonte Bedside Table, Modern Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by GF Modern. The Belmonte bedside table, designed by Rute Martins, draws inspiration from the historic P...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Night Stands

Materials

Marble, Onyx, Quartz, Travertine

English Mahogany One Drawer Diminutive Console , Circa 1810
Located in Charleston, SC
English mahogany one drawer diminutive console with carved molded edge, original brass pulls, lower horizontal base, and terminating on Marlboro feet. Early 19th Century
Category

Antique 1810s English George III Console Tables

Materials

Brass

16th Century Spanish Terracotta Vase
Located in Miami, FL
16th Century Spanish Terracotta Vase Hand made marks around the vase.
Category

Antique 16th Century Spanish Baroque Decorative Bowls

Materials

Terracotta

16th Century Spanish Terracotta Vase
16th Century Spanish Terracotta Vase
$4,890
H 22.45 in Dm 20.87 in
A pair of Spanish-colonial Viceregal mother-of-pearl inlaid bureau-cabinets
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Viceroyalty of Peru, Lima, 18th century, circa 1720-1760 Each with a moulded giltwood cornice and on a foliate carved giltwood base, possibly later and English. The cabinets, with s...
Category

Antique 18th Century Peruvian Spanish Colonial Cabinets

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl, Teak

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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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