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Vintage Steel Flat File Cabinet with Brass Handles
Vintage Steel Flat File Cabinet with Brass Handles

Vintage Steel Flat File Cabinet with Brass Handles

Located in Oakville, CT

Vintage Map / Blueprint Cabinet by General Fireproofing Co., Youngstown, OH Overall Dimensions: 29 1/4" x 40 1/2" x 42" high Top Dimensions: 28 1/4" x 40 1/2" Drawer Dimensions: 2...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Cabinets

Materials

Brass, Steel

Oak Flat File / Coffee Table with 5 Drawers
Oak Flat File / Coffee Table with 5 Drawers

Oak Flat File / Coffee Table with 5 Drawers

Located in Oakville, CT

Vintage Oak Blueprint / Map Cabinet Overall Dimensions: 34 1/2" x 46 3/4" x 19" high Top Dimensions: 33 1/4" x 46 3/4 Drawer Dimensions: 30 1/2" x 43" x 2" high Materials: Oak

Category

Late 20th Century American Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Oak

Antique OverSized Pine 12 Drawer Map Flat File Cabinet
Antique OverSized Pine 12 Drawer Map Flat File Cabinet

Antique OverSized Pine 12 Drawer Map Flat File Cabinet

Located in Esperance, NY

For sale is this absolute gorgeous Oversized Primitive Antique large map file.

Category

Antique Early 1900s American Cabinets

Materials

Pine

Large Oak Architects Flat File/Map Table from Dutch University
Large Oak Architects Flat File/Map Table from Dutch University

Large Oak Architects Flat File/Map Table from Dutch University

Located in bergen op zoom, NL

This large table in oak with three large file/map drawers was used in the geography department of a Dutch university. The huge drawers were used to store away large paper maps and b...

Category

Vintage 1930s Dutch Art Deco Industrial and Work Tables

Materials

Oak

Antique American Oak Hamilton Moveable Type Print Cabinet Flat File, Circa 1910
Antique American Oak Hamilton Moveable Type Print Cabinet Flat File, Circa 1910

Antique American Oak Hamilton Moveable Type Print Cabinet Flat File, Circa 1910

Located in Portland, OR

Antique American oak "Hamilton" moveable type 24 drawer cabinet, full with original moveable type, circa 1910. A rare opportunity to acquire an original 24 drawer moveable type cabi...

Category

Antique Early 1900s American American Craftsman Cabinets

Materials

Oak

9 Drawer Mini Flat File Cabinet Originally Made for Venus Pencils, circa 1910
9 Drawer Mini Flat File Cabinet Originally Made for Venus Pencils, circa 1910

9 Drawer Mini Flat File Cabinet Originally Made for Venus Pencils, circa 1910

Located in Petaluma, CA

This little cabinet is very unusual, useful, and eye catching. Lots of little drawers, perfect to file away all sorts of items, including pencils, which it was designed for, but also...

Category

Vintage 1910s Canadian Arts and Crafts Cabinets

Materials

Wood

Five-Stack Industrial File Cabinet by Library Bureau SoleMakers
Five-Stack Industrial File Cabinet by Library Bureau SoleMakers

Five-Stack Industrial File Cabinet by Library Bureau SoleMakers

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Industrial file cabinets, features great variety of file and flat file cabinets, all with brass handles and label holders.

Category

Vintage 1940s American Industrial Cabinets

Antique Oak 25-Drawer Architect's Blueprint File Cabinet by Hamilton, Circa 1900
Antique Oak 25-Drawer Architect's Blueprint File Cabinet by Hamilton, Circa 1900

Antique Oak 25-Drawer Architect's Blueprint File Cabinet by Hamilton, Circa 1900

By Hamilton Manufacturing Company

Located in South Bend, IN

A rare and exceptional antique Arts & Crafts 25-drawer architect's blueprint flat file cabinet or printer's cabinet By Hamilton Manufacturing Co.

Category

Early 20th Century Arts and Crafts Cabinets

Materials

Iron

Oak Multi Drawer/Purpose File Cabinet
Oak Multi Drawer/Purpose File Cabinet

Oak Multi Drawer/Purpose File Cabinet

Located in Petaluma, CA

This great solid oak file cabinet can take care of all your needs. Besides having four letter size drawers, there are four drawers for large flat files/maps and six index file drawe...

Category

Early 20th Century American Cabinets

Materials

Brass

Drawer Cabinets by Mogens Koch
Drawer Cabinets by Mogens Koch

Drawer Cabinets by Mogens Koch

By Mogens Koch, Rud Rasmussen

Located in Sagaponack, NY

A pair of solid mahogany eight-drawer flat file cabinets with dovetailed joinery, on a plinth base.

Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

Midcentury Desk by Mengel Furniture
Midcentury Desk by Mengel Furniture

Midcentury Desk by Mengel Furniture

By Mengel Furniture Co.

Located in Cincinnati, OH

The other side has a door and flat file storage with one removable shelve, retains the manufactures ink stamp to the drawer bottom Mengel Bord furniture company.

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Eight-Drawer Chinese Document Chest, late 19th century
Eight-Drawer Chinese Document Chest, late 19th century

Eight-Drawer Chinese Document Chest, late 19th century

Located in Chicago, IL

Just like contemporary flat-file storage, this handsome late 19th century chest provided an administrator in Shanxi province with eight drawers to organize flat documents and importa...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Chinese Furniture

Materials

Elm

Rosewood Desktop Organizer by Georg Petersens
Rosewood Desktop Organizer by Georg Petersens

Rosewood Desktop Organizer by Georg Petersens

By Georg Petersens

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Wonderful rosewood selection is evident throughout the shelves and case. Divided into flat file and vertical file sections, a compact solution that is ideal for desktop organization.

Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Desk Sets

Materials

Rosewood

Wooden Printing Storage Cabinet by Hamilton
Wooden Printing Storage Cabinet by Hamilton

Wooden Printing Storage Cabinet by Hamilton

Located in Oakville, CT

Authentic industrial style Hamilton Manufacturing Company wooden multi-drawer, flat-file printer’s storage cabinet. Each drawer has dividers and inside dimensions are 30 1/2" x 19" x...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Industrial Cabinets

Materials

Wood

Chinese Camphor Document Chest, c. 1900
Chinese Camphor Document Chest, c. 1900

Chinese Camphor Document Chest, c. 1900

Located in Chicago, IL

Just like contemporary flat-file storage, this tall camphor chest once provided a Qing-dynasty official or businessman with ample storage to organize flat documents and important pap...

Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

George VI Eight-Drawer Tiger Oak Map / Plans Chest
George VI Eight-Drawer Tiger Oak Map / Plans Chest

George VI Eight-Drawer Tiger Oak Map / Plans Chest

Located in Dallas, TX

An English George VI period stacking map cabinet / architect's flat file. Two (2) section cabinet with four (4) drawers each.

Category

20th Century English Georgian Cabinets

Materials

Oak

Antique Oak and Chestnut Typesetter's 16 Drawer Letterhead Cabinet c.1880-1920
Antique Oak and Chestnut Typesetter's 16 Drawer Letterhead Cabinet c.1880-1920

Antique Oak and Chestnut Typesetter's 16 Drawer Letterhead Cabinet c.1880-1920

By Hamilton Products

Located in San Francisco, CA

A late 19th/early 20th century typesetter's letterhead Oak cabinet with 16 wooden flat file drawers. Each drawer is beautifully constructed out of smooth, solid Chestnut with carved ...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Industrial Industrial and Work Tables

Materials

Brass

Bruce Burdick for Herman Miller Executive Modular Desk
Bruce Burdick for Herman Miller Executive Modular Desk

Bruce Burdick for Herman Miller Executive Modular Desk

By Bruce Burdick

Located in Seattle, WA

Accessories include a cabinet, two vertical file organizers, two flat file organizers, cup holder, rotating side desk, side tray, power outlet and acrylic backed book display.

Category

Vintage 1980s North American Post-Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Aluminum

Antique Hamilton Industrial Typesetter's 24 Drawer Cabinet c.1926
Antique Hamilton Industrial Typesetter's 24 Drawer Cabinet c.1926

Antique Hamilton Industrial Typesetter's 24 Drawer Cabinet c.1926

By Hamilton Products

Located in San Francisco, CA

An early 20th century typesetter's Oak cabinet by Hamilton Mfg Company with 24 wooden flat file drawers used to house steel typeset letters.

Category

Early 20th Century Industrial Industrial and Work Tables

Materials

Metal, Brass

Late 19th C. Industrial Green Typesetter's 15 Drawer Cabinet C.1890
Late 19th C. Industrial Green Typesetter's 15 Drawer Cabinet C.1890

Late 19th C. Industrial Green Typesetter's 15 Drawer Cabinet C.1890

By Hamilton Products

Located in San Francisco, CA

Most of the partitions in the drawers have been removed to create an open drawers for flat files. The piece is structurally sound and has retained the naturally distressed look of an...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Industrial Industrial and Work Tables

Materials

Iron

Rare Early Burmese Buddha, Late Pyu-1000 Years Old, 6082
Rare Early Burmese Buddha, Late Pyu-1000 Years Old, 6082

Rare Early Burmese Buddha, Late Pyu-1000 Years Old, 6082

Located in Ukiah, CA

Sits happily 4.25 inches tall - Very uncommon-especially with such a sweet, loving face, wonderful patina, and in such good overall condition (only issues: the nose is a bit flattene...

Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Burmese Antiquities

Materials

Bronze

Danish Modern Teak Desk Organizer by Pedersen & Hansen Mid Century Modern
Danish Modern Teak Desk Organizer by Pedersen & Hansen Mid Century Modern

Danish Modern Teak Desk Organizer by Pedersen & Hansen Mid Century Modern

By Pedersen & Hansen

Located in Lake Worth, FL

Beautifully rich in color this desk organizer is great quality with rounded finish edges, finished on both sides, multiple spaces for flat and vertical filing. Good vintage condition...

Category

Late 20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Scholar's Objects

Materials

Teak

Antique Clerks Desk English, Victorian Pine Bureau Late 19th Century, circa 1900
Antique Clerks Desk English, Victorian Pine Bureau Late 19th Century, circa 1900

Antique Clerks Desk English, Victorian Pine Bureau Late 19th Century, circa 1900

Located in Hele, Devon, GB

Classic English styling in aged pine with a very desirable tone Attractive proportions – can be used with a stool or as a standing desk Rising from field panel twin pedestals each ...

Category

Early 20th Century English Victorian Desks

Materials

Pine

French Neoclassical Mahogany and Leather Antique Chest of Drawers Cartonnier
French Neoclassical Mahogany and Leather Antique Chest of Drawers Cartonnier

French Neoclassical Mahogany and Leather Antique Chest of Drawers Cartonnier

Located in Shippensburg, PA

They open to reveal a tidy interior that would probably be used to store hats, shoes, flat laying clothing or files in an office. The construction of the case is impeccable, the tig...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Leather, Mahogany, Oak

Flat File Coffee Table
Flat File Coffee Table

Flat File Coffee Table

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Large stationary flat file table on pedestal base. Redone with a bare metal style finish.

Category

20th Century Industrial Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Metal

Vintage Oak Flat File
Vintage Oak Flat File

Vintage Oak Flat File

Located in Oakville, CT

Mid-Modern flat file Overall Dimensions: 34" x 45 1/2" x 44 1/2" high Internal Drawer Dimensions: 31 5/8" x 42 1/4" x 2".  

Category

Mid-20th Century American Cabinets

Materials

Oak

Antique Oak Flat File
Antique Oak Flat File

Antique Oak Flat File

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Double stack flat file cabinet with golden oak wood and brass hardware.

Category

Early 20th Century Industrial Cabinets

Materials

Oak

Vintage Flat File Cabinet
Vintage Flat File Cabinet

Vintage Flat File Cabinet

Located in Oakville, CT

Cole Steel Flat File Overall Dimensions: 36 1/2" x 46 1/2" x 39" high Top Dimensions: 35 1/2" x 46 1/2" Inner Drawer Dimensions: 31 1/2 x 43" Materials: Steel

Category

Mid-20th Century American Cabinets

Materials

Steel

Vintage Blueprint / Flat File Cabinet
Vintage Blueprint / Flat File Cabinet

Vintage Blueprint / Flat File Cabinet

Located in Oakville, CT

Pine flat file cabinet Overall Dimensions: 31 1/2" x 45" x 34" high Drawer Dimensions: 27" x 38" x 2 1/2" high.

Category

Mid-20th Century American Cabinets

Materials

Brass, Steel

Custom Flat File Coffee Table
Custom Flat File Coffee Table

Custom Flat File Coffee Table

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Re-purposed architects flat file cabinet, made into a modern coffee table with braking wheels.

Category

20th Century Industrial Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Antique Tiger Oak Flat File Cabinet
Antique Tiger Oak Flat File Cabinet

Antique Tiger Oak Flat File Cabinet

Located in Esperance, NY

For sale is this great unique antique flat file drawer cabinet.

Category

Vintage 1910s American Cabinets

Materials

Oak

Two Restored Flat File Cabinets
Two Restored Flat File Cabinets

Two Restored Flat File Cabinets

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Industrial metal flat file cabinets refinished in a bare metal style finish.

Category

Vintage 1960s Industrial Cabinets

Vintage Oversized Flat File Cabinet
Vintage Oversized Flat File Cabinet

Vintage Oversized Flat File Cabinet

Located in Oakville, CT

Antique Pine Flat File / Blueprint / Map / Art Cabinet Overall Dimensions: 31" deep x 40 1/2" wide x 53 1/2" high Drawer Dimensions: 27" deep x 35 1/2" wide x 2 1/2 high 10 Drawer...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Cabinets

Materials

Metal

Ten-Drawer Wood Flat File
Ten-Drawer Wood Flat File

Ten-Drawer Wood Flat File

Located in Austin, TX

Fabulous flat file with warm stained wood and brass hardware.

Category

Early 20th Century American Cabinets

Materials

Wood

45" Kraftbilt Flat File Metal Cabinet
45" Kraftbilt Flat File Metal Cabinet

45" Kraftbilt Flat File Metal Cabinet

Located in Pasadena, TX

45" Kraftbilt flat file, metal cabinet by the Ross-Martin Co.

Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern More Furniture and Collectibles

Materials

Metal

Industrial Flat File Cabinet on Casters
Industrial Flat File Cabinet on Casters

Industrial Flat File Cabinet on Casters

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Refinished metal flat file cabinet by Cole Steel, set on large metal casters.

Category

Vintage 1940s Industrial Cabinets

Black Architectural Drafting Flat File Cabinet
Black Architectural Drafting Flat File Cabinet

Black Architectural Drafting Flat File Cabinet

Located in Pasadena, TX

Vintage black architectural drafting flat file cabinets Restored in a gloss black. 10 drawers with chrome pulls.

Category

Mid-20th Century American Industrial Cabinets

Materials

Metal

Pair of Brushed Steel Industrial Flat Files
Pair of Brushed Steel Industrial Flat Files

Pair of Brushed Steel Industrial Flat Files

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Pair of industrial, heavy gauge, brushed steel, flat file cabinets.

Category

Mid-20th Century American Industrial Cabinets

Materials

Steel

1800s Oak 24-Draw Flat File
1800s Oak 24-Draw Flat File

1800s Oak 24-Draw Flat File

Located in Peekskill, NY

This is a beautiful oak flat file in original condition and finish. All 24 draws are intact with the original pulls.

Category

Antique Late 19th Century American Industrial Cabinets

Vintage Steel Double Stack Flat File
Vintage Steel Double Stack Flat File

Vintage Steel Double Stack Flat File

Located in Oakville, CT

Vintage Green Steel Flat File with 10 Drawers by Lyon, Aurora, IL *4 drawers have dividers the other 6 do not* Overall Dimensions: 29" x 40" x 41" high Top Dimensions: 27 3/4" x 4...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Cabinets

Materials

Brass, Steel

Vintage Dark Oak Blueprint Flat File
Vintage Dark Oak Blueprint Flat File

Vintage Dark Oak Blueprint Flat File

Located in South Bend, IN

A unique architect's blueprint or map flat file. The file is made from solid oak and has beautiful wood grain.

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets

Materials

Oak

Vintage All-Steel Flat File Storage Cabinet
Vintage All-Steel Flat File Storage Cabinet

Vintage All-Steel Flat File Storage Cabinet

Located in Oakville, CT

Vintage nine-drawer metal flat-file cabinet made by All-Steel. Architect's, draftsman drawing and document storage.

Category

Mid-20th Century American Industrial Cabinets

Materials

Metal, Steel

Immense Cherrywood Twenty-Drawer Flat File Cabinet Chest
Immense Cherrywood Twenty-Drawer Flat File Cabinet Chest

Immense Cherrywood Twenty-Drawer Flat File Cabinet Chest

Located in West Hartford, CT

Magnificent twenty-drawer cherrywood architects flat file cabinet that features ten drawers on each side.

Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Cherry

Vintage Industrial Metal Factory Flat File
Vintage Industrial Metal Factory Flat File

Vintage Industrial Metal Factory Flat File

By Simmons Company Furniture, Cole Steel, Hamilton

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Make a bold statement in your space with this impressively robust industrial flat file. Featuring all-metal construction and a unique open frame design, it houses five pull-out drawe...

Category

Early 20th Century American Industrial Dressers

Materials

Metal, Steel, Sheet Metal

Vintage Metal Mayline '5' Drawer Lateral Flat Filing Cabinet
Vintage Metal Mayline '5' Drawer Lateral Flat Filing Cabinet

Vintage Metal Mayline '5' Drawer Lateral Flat Filing Cabinet

Located in Pasadena, TX

Vintage metal Mayline drawer lateral flat filing cabinet Rare configuration of the classic flat file that could be used as a standing work surface

Category

Mid-20th Century American Industrial Industrial and Work Tables

Materials

Steel

Vintage Oak Flat File Cabinet Kitchen Island
Vintage Oak Flat File Cabinet Kitchen Island

Vintage Oak Flat File Cabinet Kitchen Island

Located in Oakville, CT

Vintage oak flat-file storage cabinet made by Library Bureau SoleMakers.

Category

Mid-20th Century American Industrial Cabinets

Materials

Brass

Yellow Architectural Drafting Flat File Cabinet-Restored
Yellow Architectural Drafting Flat File Cabinet-Restored

Yellow Architectural Drafting Flat File Cabinet-Restored

Located in Pasadena, TX

An eleven-drawer flat file by Mayline Co. Inc in bright yellow finish.

Category

Vintage 1940s American Industrial Cabinets

Vintage Wooden Flat File with 10 Drawers
Vintage Wooden Flat File with 10 Drawers

Vintage Wooden Flat File with 10 Drawers

Located in Oakville, CT

Vintage Blueprint / Map / Flat File Cabinet Overall Dimensions: 31 1/2" deep x 37 1/2" wide x 40" high Drawer Dimensions: 28" deep x 30" wide x 2 1/4" high *one drawer has a cente...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Cabinets

Materials

Metal

Vintage Hamilton Wooden Flat File Storage Cabinet
Vintage Hamilton Wooden Flat File Storage Cabinet

Vintage Hamilton Wooden Flat File Storage Cabinet

Located in Oakville, CT

Vintage Hamilton oak 20 drawer flat file storage cabinet. In six sections, four cabinets, top and base.

Category

20th Century American Industrial Cabinets

Materials

Brass

Tall Blue Architectural Drafting Flat File Cabinet-Restored

Tall Blue Architectural Drafting Flat File Cabinet-Restored

Located in Pasadena, TX

A vintage, sixteen-drawer flat file by Mayline Co. Inc in bright blue finish.

Category

Vintage 1940s American Industrial Cabinets

Vintage Double Stack Flat File with Brass Handles
Vintage Double Stack Flat File with Brass Handles

Vintage Double Stack Flat File with Brass Handles

Located in Oakville, CT

Vintage Blueprint / Map / Flat File Cabinet with 17 Drawers Overall Dimensions: 33 1/4" x 51 1/2" x 36" high Dimensions of Small Drawers: 28" x 21" x 2" Dimensions of Large Drawer...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Cabinets

Materials

Brass

Oversize 10 Drawer Oak Flat File Map Cabinet
Oversize 10 Drawer Oak Flat File Map Cabinet

Oversize 10 Drawer Oak Flat File Map Cabinet

Located in New York, NY

Solid oak early 20th Century flat file map cabinet with the original brass hardware.

Category

Early 20th Century American Cabinets

Materials

Oak

Vintage Industrial 30-Drawer Metal Blueprint Flat File
Vintage Industrial 30-Drawer Metal Blueprint Flat File

Vintage Industrial 30-Drawer Metal Blueprint Flat File

Located in South Bend, IN

Offering a unique vintage industrial 30-drawer metal flat file from the Monroe Furniture Co in Chicago.

Category

Mid-20th Century Industrial Cabinets

Materials

Metal

Vintage Wooden Flat File Storage Cabinet by Hamilton
Vintage Wooden Flat File Storage Cabinet by Hamilton

Vintage Wooden Flat File Storage Cabinet by Hamilton

Located in Oakville, CT

Antique wood flat file cabinet made by Hamilton. Measure: 26 3/4" in width, 21 1/2" in depth, and 34 3/8" in height.

Category

Mid-20th Century Industrial Cabinets

Materials

Metal

Antique Victorian Walnut Architect's Blueprint Flat File Cabinet
Antique Victorian Walnut Architect's Blueprint Flat File Cabinet

Antique Victorian Walnut Architect's Blueprint Flat File Cabinet

Located in South Bend, IN

An exceptional Victorian or Arts & Crafts style solid walnut six-drawer architect's blueprint or map flat file cabinet or collector's cabinet USA, Late 19th Century Measures: 44.5"...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century American Arts and Crafts Cabinets

Materials

Walnut

Antique Oak Flat File Chest of Drawers
Antique Oak Flat File Chest of Drawers

Antique Oak Flat File Chest of Drawers

Located in Brooklyn, NY

This handsome early 20th-century flat file chest is crafted from rich oak and features a beautifully aged patina.

Category

Early 20th Century Unknown American Classical Commodes and Chests of Dra...

Materials

Brass

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Used Flat Files For Sale on 1stDibs

At 1stDibs, there are several options of used flat files available for sale. Each of these unique used flat files was constructed with extraordinary care, often using wood, metal and oak. Used flat files have been made for many years, and versions that date back to the 19th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 20th Century. There are many kinds of used flat files to choose from, but at 1stDibs, Industrial, Mid-Century Modern and Arts and Crafts used flat files are of considerable interest. Many used flat files are appealing in their simplicity, but Mayline Co., Library Bureau SoleMakers and Cole Steel produced popular used flat files that are worth a look.

How Much are Used Flat Files?

Prices for used flat files can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, used flat files begin at $900 and can go as high as $12,500, while the average can fetch as much as $2,717.

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.

Questions About Used Flat Files
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 17, 2023
    A flat file cabinet is used for storing and organizing paperwork. Most are generously proportioned and designed specifically for blueprints, artwork, maps and other large items. On 1stDibs, shop an assortment of flat file cabinets.
  • 1stDibs ExpertNovember 2, 2021
    A file cabinet is a necessary piece of office furniture for keeping documents and files organized and easily accessible. Shop a collection of antique, vintage and contemporary file cabinets from some of the world’s top dealers on 1stDibs.

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