Metamorphic Surprise Bar
Located in Mérida, YU
This is a metamorphic oak bar/ cabinet, with a rise and fall mechanism lifting the table top fitted
Category
Vintage 1920s English Regency Dry Bars
Materials
Metal
Surprise Bar
Antique 19th Century English Satinwood Inlay Hideaway or Surprise Bar on Casters
$8,000
H 31.25 in W 26.5 in D 28.25 in
Antique 19th Century English Satinwood Inlay Hideaway or Surprise Bar on Casters
Located in New Orleans, LA
Such a great surprise bar with wonderful inlay. Bar is 26 5/8" wide closed and 52 1/4" wide open.
Category
Antique Late 19th Century English Dry Bars
Materials
Glass, Wood, Satinwood
19th Century Old Italian Surprise Bar
Located in Madrid, ES
Old Italian surprise bar from the nineteenth century, in light fruit woods-it has a tray lifting
Category
Antique 19th Century Italian Baroque Desks
Materials
Wood
Pixel Walnut Cabinet - Hand-Crafted Joinery & Polished Brass - Boca do Lobo
$27,728Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 64.17 in W 31.89 in D 23.62 in
Pixel Walnut Cabinet - Hand-Crafted Joinery & Polished Brass - Boca do Lobo
Located in Rio Tinto, PT
edgy, striking design. Behind its two doors, this bar cabinet surprises with a timeless combination of
Category
2010s Portuguese Cabinets
Materials
Gold Leaf, Silver Leaf
Pixel Cabinet - Hand-Crafted Joinery & Polish Brass - Boca do Lobo
$27,728Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 64.17 in W 31.89 in D 23.62 in
Pixel Cabinet - Hand-Crafted Joinery & Polish Brass - Boca do Lobo
Located in Rio Tinto, PT
, and lacquering. Behind its two doors, this bar cabinet surprises with a timeless combination of aged
Category
2010s Portuguese Cabinets
Materials
Gold Leaf, Silver Leaf
Recent Sales
Late 19th Century Mahogany Inlaid Pop Up Surprise Bar / Drinks Table
Unavailable
H 30.71 in W 20.48 in D 15.75 in
Late 19th Century Mahogany Inlaid Pop Up Surprise Bar / Drinks Table
Located in London, GB
A late 19th century mahogany 'surprise bar'. As you open the top, a tray pops up consisting of, six
Category
Antique 19th Century English Dry Bars
Materials
Cut Glass, Mahogany
Teak sideboard (Dunvegan Collection)
By A.H. McIntosh Furniture, Tom Robertson
Located in Buxton, GB
right is a bar cabinet that surprises us with an extendable tray finished in melamine to support drinks.
Category
Mid-20th Century Scottish Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
Materials
Teak
Pixel Walnut Cabinet by Boca do Lobo
By Boca Do Lobo
Located in New York, NY
edgy, striking design. Behind its two doors, this bar cabinet surprises with a timeless combination of
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Cabinets
Materials
Gold Leaf
Pixel Cabinet with Multicolored Wood by Boca do Lobo
By Boca Do Lobo
Located in New York, NY
, and lacquering. Behind its two doors, this bar cabinet surprises with a timeless combination of aged
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Cabinets
Materials
Wood
Surprise Bar
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique English Mahogany Surprise Bar, signed Thornhill Co. London
Category
Antique Early 1900s British Dry Bars
Materials
Mahogany
Antique English Mahogany Surprise Bar with Tantalus Set
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique English Mahogany Surprise Bar with retractable top, can be a bar or a side table.
Category
Vintage 1930s English Dry Bars
Materials
Brass
Antique English Mahogany Surprise Bar circa 1940s
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique English Mahogany Surprise Bar circa 1940s
Category
Antique 19th Century English Barware
Antique English Mahogany Surprise Bar with Cut Crystal Pieces, Circa 1920
Sold
H 31.25 in W 24.25 in D 22.25 in
Antique English Mahogany Surprise Bar with Cut Crystal Pieces, Circa 1920
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique English mahogany surprise bar with cut crystal pieces, Circa 1920. Measures: Width: 24-1/4
Category
Early 20th Century English Dry Bars
Materials
Mahogany
Antique English Mahogany Surprise Bar, "Asprey & Co., London, " circa 1910-1920
Sold
H 30.75 in W 22.75 in D 24 in
Antique English Mahogany Surprise Bar, "Asprey & Co., London, " circa 1910-1920
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique English Edwardian Mahogany surprise bar signed, "Asprey & Co., London," circa 1910-1920
Category
Early 20th Century English Dry Bars
Materials
Mahogany
Estate English Mahogany Hidden Surprise Bar with Cut Crystal Barware, circa 1940
Sold
H 31 in W 20.5 in D 16 in
Estate English Mahogany Hidden Surprise Bar with Cut Crystal Barware, circa 1940
Located in New Orleans, LA
Estate English Mahogany and inlay hidden surprise bar with fitted interior and cut crystal barware
Category
Early 20th Century English Carts and Bar Carts
Materials
Crystal
Antique Swedish Art Deco Birch Wood Surprise Bar Dry Bar, 1920s
Located in London, GB
A beautiful antique Swedish Art Deco elm, walnut and birchwood surprise bar, circa 1920. Opening
Category
Vintage 1920s Swedish Art Deco Dry Bars
Materials
Birch, Elm, Walnut
Antique English Mahogany Surprise Bar with Cut Crystal Barware Filled Interior
Sold
H 31 in W 44 in D 24 in
Antique English Mahogany Surprise Bar with Cut Crystal Barware Filled Interior
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique English mahogany surprise bar with cut crystal barware filled interior.
Category
Antique 19th Century English Barware
Materials
Crystal
Antique Edwardian Marquetry Surprise Bar, circa 1900
Located in London, GB
A beautiful antique Edwardian ebonized and marquetry surprise bar. Opening the top raises the
Category
Antique Early 1900s British Side Tables
Early 20th Century Edwardian Drinks Cabinet Surprise Bar Dry Bar
Located in London, GB
handled rising glass tray for your decanters and glasses. The bar is raised on turned supports, that
Category
Antique Early 1900s English Edwardian Dry Bars
Materials
Mahogany, Satinwood
Antique Art Deco Drinks Cabinet Surprise Bar Dry Bar & Glassware, 1920s
Sold
H 30.32 in W 45.28 in D 16.15 in
Antique Art Deco Drinks Cabinet Surprise Bar Dry Bar & Glassware, 1920s
Located in London, GB
A beautiful antique Art Deco mahogany "The Riviera Patent Cocktail wagon" by Besway, circa 1920 in date. The oval shaped cabinet features a split lid. When the lid is opened up th...
Category
Vintage 1920s English Art Deco Dry Bars
Materials
Mahogany
Antique Victorian Drinks Cabinet Surprise Bar Dry Bar & Glassware 19th C
Sold
H 31.11 in W 23.23 in D 23.23 in
Antique Victorian Drinks Cabinet Surprise Bar Dry Bar & Glassware 19th C
Located in London, GB
A beautiful antique late Victorian mahogany and marquetry surprise drinks cabinet with lift off
Category
Antique 1880s English Victorian Side Tables
Materials
Glass, Mahogany
Art Deco Walnut Surprise Cocktail Table 1930s
By Harry & Lou Epstein Furniture Co
Located in Dereham, GB
, Push the centre button The surprise bar slowly rise from the drum shaped base, Circular tray to hold
Category
Vintage 1930s British Art Deco Dry Bars
Materials
Walnut
Antique English Brass, Mahogany, and Crystal Surprise / Hidden Bar, Circa 1930
Sold
H 30.25 in W 23 in D 24 in
Antique English Brass, Mahogany, and Crystal Surprise / Hidden Bar, Circa 1930
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique English brass, mahogany, and crystal surprise or hidden bar, circa 1920-1940. Fully fitted
Category
Early 20th Century English Dry Bars
Materials
Crystal, Brass
Mahogany surprise drinks cabinet
Located in Cheshire, GB
Mahogany surprise drinks cabinet, the twin-hinged well-figured lid activating a cantilever interior
Category
Early 20th Century British Dry Bars
Materials
Wood
Walnut Cabinet
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
doors, this bar cabinet surprises with a timeless combination of aged mirror covering an open space for
Category
21st Century and Contemporary European Cabinets
Materials
Aluminum, Silver Leaf
Cabinet with Multicolored Wood
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
African walnut veneer, and lacquering. Behind its two doors, this bar cabinet surprises with a timeless
Category
21st Century and Contemporary European Cabinets
Materials
Gold Leaf
Antique English Mahogany Surprise Bar, Fitted Interior with Cut Crystal, Ca 1920
Sold
H 37 in W 43.75 in D 23.75 in
Antique English Mahogany Surprise Bar, Fitted Interior with Cut Crystal, Ca 1920
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique English Mahogany Surprise Bar, Circa 1920. Beautiful fitted interior with cut crystal
Category
Early 20th Century English Dry Bars
Materials
Crystal
Art Deco Suprise Bar Whisky or Dry Bar Cart
Located in Daylesford, Victoria
Art Deco surprise bar for whisky or dry bar cart, hidden contents, with decorative lock and
Category
Vintage 1920s English Art Deco Dry Bars
Teak sideboard (Dunvegan Collection)
By A.H. McIntosh Furniture, Tom Robertson
Located in Buxton, GB
right is a bar cabinet that surprises us with an extendable tray finished in melamine to support drinks.
Category
Mid-20th Century Scottish Mid-Century Modern Sideboards
Materials
Teak
Teak sideboard (Dunvegan Collection)
By A.H. McIntosh Furniture, Tom Robertson
Located in Buxton, GB
right is a bar cabinet that surprises us with an extendable tray finished in melamine to support drinks.
Category
Mid-20th Century Scottish Scandinavian Modern Sideboards
Materials
Teak
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Regency Mahogany Spider Leg Table
Located in Essex, MA
A cute delicate but sturdy table all nicely French polished. Rectangular top with bamboo turned legs and turned X form stretchers.
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Antique 1810s English Regency End Tables
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English 19th Century Mahogany Table with Compartment, Drawer and Reeded Legs
$6,550
H 29 in W 28 in D 20.75 in
English 19th Century Mahogany Table with Compartment, Drawer and Reeded Legs
Located in Atlanta, GA
An English mahogany table from the 19th century, with single drawer, small compartment and reeded legs. Created in England during the 19th century, this mahogany table features a rec...
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Stunning and Luxury Gilt Modern Contemporary Sideboard in Iron Wood & Gold Leaf
$39,941
H 32.29 in W 88.98 in D 22.84 in
Stunning and Luxury Gilt Modern Contemporary Sideboard in Iron Wood & Gold Leaf
Located in Coimbra, PT
Materials and finishes: Base in iron, structure in wood finished in gold leaf, interior in blue satin fabric. Dimensions: Width 243 cm 96” Depth 50cm 20” Height 100 cm 39” Weight 23...
Category
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English 19th Century Metamorphic Table with Lift Top, Drawers and Shelves
$7,275
H 32.75 in W 41 in D 21.5 in
English 19th Century Metamorphic Table with Lift Top, Drawers and Shelves
Located in Atlanta, GA
An English metamorphic table on casters from the 19th century with flip top, two drawers, cross banding, two shelves and brass hardware. Created in England during the 19th century, t...
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Rising Drink Cabinet, Cocktail Bar, Dry Bar, Folding Bar, Pop Up Bar
$15,271
H 37.01 in W 20.08 in D 17.72 in
Rising Drink Cabinet, Cocktail Bar, Dry Bar, Folding Bar, Pop Up Bar
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
This English cocktail cabinet is particularly unusual and elegant. Made of magnificent honey color golden walnut, from 1920's ,I t features on its front, 1 fake cupboard, I fake dra...
Category
Early 20th Century British Art Deco Dry Bars
Materials
Crystal
Rising Drink Cabinet, Cocktail Bar, Dry Bar, Folding Bar, Pop Up Cabinet
$15,271
H 33.86 in W 24.81 in D 23.23 in
Rising Drink Cabinet, Cocktail Bar, Dry Bar, Folding Bar, Pop Up Cabinet
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
This English cocktail cabinet is particularly unusual and elegant. Made of honey color golden walnut, from 1910-1920's , it features 4 straight legs and storage compartment on each ...
Category
Early 20th Century British Art Deco Dry Bars
Materials
Crystal
Luxurious & Rare Asprey & Co. London Royal Warrant Drinks Cabinet Dry Bar
$11,662 / item
H 30.12 in W 23.82 in D 24.61 in
Luxurious & Rare Asprey & Co. London Royal Warrant Drinks Cabinet Dry Bar
By Heal's, Charles & George Asprey
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Luxurious, and Rare Asprey & Co. London 1920s Royal Warrant. Early 20th century Limed Oak Elevette Drinks Cabinet with Rare Asprey's Pewter Lemon Squeezer on Stand. Original Built-In...
Category
Vintage 1920s English Edwardian Carts and Bar Carts
Materials
Brass
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Surprise Bar For Sale on 1stDibs
At 1stDibs, there are many versions of the ideal surprise bar for your home. Each surprise bar for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using wood, mahogany and hardwood. Your living room may not be complete without a surprise bar — find older editions for sale from the 19th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 20th Century. When you’re browsing for the right surprise bar, those designed in Art Deco styles are of considerable interest.
How Much is a Surprise Bar?
Prices for a surprise bar can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, they begin at $1,609 and can go as high as $11,900, while the average can fetch as much as $5,150.
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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