Tansu Butterfly Cabinet
Antique 19th Century Korean Campaign Furniture
Brass
Recent Sales
Mid-20th Century Campaign Cabinets
Brass
20th Century Chinoiserie Cabinets
Rosewood
Early 20th Century Dressers
Wood
Antique 19th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
Mid-20th Century Korean Campaign Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century Korean Mid-Century Modern Bedroom Sets
Brass
Antique Late 19th Century Korean Campaign Furniture
Brass
Antique 1890s Korean Meiji Blanket Chests
Elm
20th Century Korean Cabinets
Brass
People Also Browsed
Antique Late 19th Century Korean Other Textiles
Fabric, Silk, Wood
Antique Late 19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Sapele Wood, Ivory
21st Century and Contemporary Swedish Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Textile
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Furniture
Fir
Antique 19th Century English Chinese Chippendale Vitrines
Glass, Mahogany
Early 20th Century Korean Furniture
Brass
Vintage 1950s Korean Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Elm
Antique Mid-19th Century Chinese Qing Furniture
Elm
2010s Italian Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Brass
Mid-20th Century Korean Paintings and Screens
Fabric, Wood, Paint, Paper
Antique 1880s Japanese Meiji Cabinets
Wood
Antique 1820s Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Mother-of-Pearl
Antique Late 19th Century Tibetan Furniture
Pine, Paint
Vintage 1910s Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Bone, Hardwood, Boxwood
Antique 18th Century Chinese Qing Cabinets
Metal
Antique Early 19th Century Korean Other Furniture
Iron
Finding the Right Storage-case-pieces for You
Of all the vintage storage cabinets and antique case pieces that have become popular in modern interiors over the years, dressers, credenzas and cabinets have long been home staples, perfect for routine storage or protection of personal items.
In the mid-19th century, cabinetmakers would mimic styles originating in the Louis XIV, Louis XV and Louis XVI eras for their dressers, bookshelves and other structures, and, later, simpler, streamlined wood designs allowed these “case pieces” or “case goods” — any furnishing that is unupholstered and has some semblance of a storage component — to blend into the background of any interior.
Mid-century modern furniture enthusiasts will cite the tall modular wall units crafted in teak and other sought-after woods of the era by the likes of George Nelson, Poul Cadovius and Finn Juhl. For these highly customizable furnishings, designers of the day delivered an alternative to big, heavy bookcases by considering the use of space — and, in particular, walls — in new and innovative ways. Mid-century modern credenzas, which, long and low, evolved from tables that were built as early as the 14th century in Italy, typically have no legs or very short legs and have grown in popularity as an alluring storage option over time.
Although the name immediately invokes images of clothing, dressers were initially created in Europe for a much different purpose. This furnishing was initially a flat-surfaced, low-profile side table equipped with a few drawers — a common fixture used to dress and prepare meats in English kitchens throughout the Tudor period. The drawers served as perfect utensil storage. It wasn’t until the design made its way to North America that it became enlarged and equipped with enough space to hold clothing and cosmetics. The very history of case pieces is a testament to their versatility and well-earned place in any room.
In the spirit of positioning your case goods center stage, decluttering can now be design-minded.
A contemporary case piece with open shelving and painted wood details can prove functional as a storage unit as easily as it can a room divider. Alternatively, apothecary cabinets are charming case goods similar in size to early dressers or commodes but with uniquely sized shelving and (often numerous) drawers.
Whether you’re seeking a playful sideboard that features colored glass and metal details, an antique Italian hand-carved storage cabinet or a glass-door vitrine to store and show off your collectibles, there are options for you on 1stDibs.
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