$4,905 / item
Mid Century Credenza - True White Finish
Located in Westwood, NJ
Perfectly balancing style and functionality, Classic Regency designs, and mid century modern elegance, this piece is a stunning addition to any home decor.
Wood
Mid Century Modern Vintage Teak Desk Vanity by White and Newton Danish Style
By White & Newton
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A beautiful vanity desk crafted from vintage teak, originally built as a dressing table but perfectly suited for use as a desk, showcasing stunning style and timeless Mid Century Mod...
Teak
Mid Century Modern Vintage Teak Short Dresser Drawers by White and Newton
By White & Newton
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This Mid Century Modern Vintage Teak Short Dresser Drawers by White and Newton is a gorgeous short dresser that seamlessly blends style and function. Featuring great metal handles, i...
Teak
Mid-Century Modern Credenza in White Bronze Mid-Century Modern Dresser
By Stephanie Odegard Collection
Located in New York, NY
Regular non-abrasive household metal polishes can be used to restore the original finish. Mid-Century Modern Credenza in White Bronze, Mid-Century Modern Dresser by Paul Size: 80" (...
Metal, Sheet Metal
Mid-Century White Lacquered Asian Modern James Mont Ming Style Credenza
By James Mont
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a mid-century James Mont inspired Ming style white lacquered credenza.
Brass
Mid century Florence Knoll Black & White Cabinet Credenza leather pulls
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid Century Florence knoll Black & White Credenza.
Chrome
White Lacquer & Walnut 3 Drawer Two Compartments Credenza Mid Century MINT
By Paul McCobb
Located in Rockaway, NJ
White Lacquer & Walnut 3 Drawer Two Compartments Credenza Mid Century MINT
Walnut
$2,925Sale Price|50% Off
Stunning Swedish Mid-Century Modern 12 Drawer Dresser Credenza White Metal Legs
By George Nelson
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Stunning Swedish Mid-Century Modern 12 drawer dresser credenza white laminate top and metal legs/pulls.
Steel
Mid-Century Modern White Lacquer Faux Finish Door 4 Doors Credenza on Brass Base
By Mastercraft
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern faux lacquer finish stunning bamboo like brass stretcher base long credenza console dresser cabinet. The base suggest Mastercraft influence or label. Unsigned.
Brass
Pickled White Oakwood Credenza/Dresser with Nine Drawers
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Nine drawer dresser/credenza in pickled white oak wood. The piece has nine drawers and brass hardware. Six drawers are visible and 3 are concealed. Apparently unmarked. Me...
Brass
Finely Restored Danish White Oak Credenza Sideboard
Located in Oakland, CA
This impressive Danish credenza is expertly handcrafted from white oak, featuring fine joinery with mitered beveled edges, five center drawers, and sliding doors on either side, each...
Oak
Vintage Hollywood Regency White Lacquer and Brass Credenza, 1950s
Located in North Hollywood, CA
This exquisite 1950s Hollywood Regency credenza brings an unmistakable sense of glamour and refinement into a space. Professionally restored in a luminous polished white lacquer, the...
Brass
Vintage Style 6 Drawer Credenza With White Accented Drawers
By Harvey Probber
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A striking modern minimalist credenza defined by clean architectural lines, refined materials, and functional design. This piece features a sleek graphite-on-oak veneered case and ba...
Metal
Pickled White Oak & Yew Wood Heavy Long Brass Drop Pulls Long Dresser Credenza
By Bernhardt, Drexel, Baker Furniture Company
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pickled White Oak & Yew Wood Heavy Long Brass Drop Pulls Long Dresser Credenza MINT!
Brass
Cerused White Wash Oak Drop Front Secretary Desk Bookcase Credenza
By John Widdicomb, T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Multi use limed oak credenza with built in drop front secretary. Beautiful large and heavy circular ring shape hardware.
Oak
Bookmached Walnut Double Doors White Lacquer Compact 28" Tall Credenza MINT
By Established Lines
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Bookmached Walnut Double Doors White Lacquer Compact 28" Tall Credenza MINT. Like new refinished condition.
Brass, Steel
Two-Tone White Lacquer Oiled Walnut Low Long Credenza Dresser Cabinet
By Harvey Probber
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Midcentury Danish modern two-tone 5 Drawers 4 doors credenza cabinet. Interesting architectural solid walnut bracket shape legs, dome shape door inserts. Beautiful medium brown walnu...
Walnut
Faux Bamboo Beige White Lacquer 9 Drawers 65" Wide Dresser Credenza MINT!
By Ficks Reed
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Faux Bamboo Beige White Lacquer 9 Drawers 65" Wide Dresser Credenza MINT!
Brass
White Lacquer Oiled Walnut Double Door Cylinder Legs Brass Tips Legs Credenza
By Knoll, Dunbar Furniture, Jack Cartwright, Jens Risom, Harvey Probber
Located in Rockaway, NJ
White Lacquer Oiled Walnut Double Door Cylinder Legs Brass Tips Legs Credenza
Brass
Elegant Restored Mahogany Credenza by Mastercraft, circa 1975
By Mastercraft
Located in Atlanta, GA
This magnificent cabinet is shipped as professionally photographed and described in the listing narrative: Meticulously professionally restored and completely installation ready. A...
Brass
1750 Venezia Italy Wooden Red Lacquered Carved Credenza Porcelain Holder
Located in Brescia, IT
This is an exquisite and rare carved, engraved red lacquered wooden étagère and porcelain holder, with gilded details. Shaped with architectural prospects, with shelves and degrading...
Wood, Lacquer
Two Part Side by Side Racetrack Buffed Lacquered Goatskin Dresser Credenza Mint!
By Karl Springer, Enrique Garcel
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Two part side by side Racetrack Buffed Lacquered green & bone color goatskin dresser credenza mint! Attributed to Karl Springer. Stunning craftsmanship thick coat of lacquer of goat...
Goatskin, Lacquer, Parchment Paper
Duncan Phyve Mahogany 6 Drawers Splayed Carved Legs 6 Drawers Dresser MINT
By Henredon, Drexel
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Duncan Phyve Mahogany 6 Drawers Splayed Carved Legs 6 Drawers Dresser MINT
Brass
$6,740 / item
Abstract Polka Dot Inlay White Media Console
Located in New York, NY
"Kusama-Inspired Polka Dots White Media Console" Infuse your living space with a burst of creativity and style with our Kusama-Inspired Bold Polka Dots Media Console. Drawing inspir...
Bone, Wood
$6,740 / item
Abstract Polka Dot Inlay White Media Console
Located in New York, NY
"Kusama-Inspired Polka Dots White Media Console" Infuse your living space with a burst of creativity and style with our Kusama-Inspired Bold Polka Dots Media Console. Drawing inspir...
Bone, Wood
Two Doors Light Walnut & White Lacquer Storage Shelf Cabinet on Solid Brass Legs
By Established Lines
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Two Doors Light Walnut & White Lacquer Storage Shelf Cabinet on Solid Brass Legs MINT!
Walnut
$6,300 / item
Savanna Black and White Media Console
By Victor Vasarely
Located in New York, NY
Savanna Media Console, a stunning piece from our Savanna Furniture Collection. This media console is designed to bring the wild beauty of the savanna into your home, with a striking ...
Bone
Bench Table Sereno No61, White Oak Piece by Joel Escalona
By Joel Escalona
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Bench Table Sereno No61, Minimalist Wooden Piece by Joel Escalona — Sereno Collection Design by Joel Escalona for NONO When practicality becomes art, the result is the Sereno Colle...
Wood, Hardwood, Oak
White Oak Solid Wood Screen Door Pivot Hinge Minimalism
By George Nelson, George Nakashima
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A portal and a sieve. This screen door can be that magical entry condition to an intimate space. It can be that pause before opening into a grandiose space. The design gives a peek i...
Walnut
Two-Tone Black and White Lacquer 10 Drawers Dresser Cabinet
By James Mont, Kittinger
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern black and white lacquer dresser attributed to James Mont. Greek key style pulls.
Mahogany
Horst Brüning for Behr Minimalist Sideboard with White and Grey Layout
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Horst Brüning for Behr Germany, sideboard, model 1730, laminated wood, aluminum, Germany, 1960s Pure and minimalist in its execution, this sideboard model 1730 is designed by Horst ...
Aluminum
Two Tone Light Grey & White Fluted Drawer Fronts Brass Stretchers Long Dresser
By Jay Spectre, Paul McCobb
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Restored Mid-Century Modern two tone 10 drawers long dresser credenza with brass stretchers and ring pulls.
Brass
White Lacquer Pyramid Shape Bachelor Greek Key Ornament Chest
By James Mont
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Very nice white lacquer high chest or dresser with very nice Greek key motive ornament.
Mahogany
$4,600Sale Price|20% Off
Renzo Rutili Bleached Mahogany and White Micarta Long Cabinet
By Johnson Furniture Co.
Located in Chicago, IL
Attributed to Renzo Rutili for Johnson Furniture, long cabinet finished in bleached mahogany with white Micarta top and white resin sabots. Circular recessed brass pulls with center ...
Brass
$1,272Sale Price|20% Off
Toscana Sideboard, Antiqued White Colour, with 9 Drawers and Two Doors
Located in Buggiano, IT
Toscana sideboard, antiqued white colour, with 9 drawers and two doors, internal shelf. It is a very particular country furniture, with unique shapes. The drawers have dovetail joint...
Fir
$15,196Sale Price|62% Off
Alexander Girard Prototype Cabinet for Herman Miller, 1965
By Alexander Girard
Located in Seattle, WA
From Wright Auction: The cabinet was a prototype model for The Girard Group created for the Herman Miller showroom; There were only two known to be ever made. The cast aluminum legs ...
Aluminum
Mid century Danish modern Scandinavian white oak bookcase credenza
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid century Danish modern Scandinavian white oak bookcase credenza Danish Mid-Century Modern Oak Stepback Wall Unit, Credenza with Bookcase top Large 2 piece combination credenza a...
Oak
Mid Century Modern White Bubble Front Dresser or Credenza after Karl Springer
By Karl Springer
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A sleek ultra mod look after Karl Springer. This 6 drawer dresser features semi-gloss white laminate sculptural design with tons of storage.
Laminate, Wood
$3,790 / item
Chapman Storage Dresser, Credenza Maple White
Located in Cincinnati, US
One unit or four? Doors or drawers? Go sexy with black and walnut or keep it light and fun with maple and pink? The chapman credenza allows you the freedom to choose exactly what sui...
Steel
White Lacquer, Walnut and Brass Mid-Century Cabinet
By Davis Cabinet Company
Located in Miami, FL
A solid walnut off-white lacquered Mid-Century Modern small credenza or oversized night stand made by the Davis Cabinet Co. of Nashville, Tennessee.
Brass
$3,790 / item
Chapman Storage Dresser, Credenza Walnut White
Located in Cincinnati, US
One unit or four? Doors or drawers? Go sexy with black and walnut or keep it light and fun with maple and pink? The chapman credenza allows you the freedom to choose exactly what sui...
Steel
Customizable Color USM Haller Mid Credenza DF Storage System
By Paul Schaerer, Fritz Haller, Usm Haller
Located in New York, NY
Offered by M2L. With one drop down door and one extension door with filing. Designed by Swiss architect Fritz Haller and Paul Schaerer in 1963. Made from powder coated steel and c...
Chrome, Steel
Customizable Color USM Haller Mid Credenza D Storage System
By Usm Haller, Fritz Haller, Paul Schaerer
Located in New York, NY
Offered by M2L. With four drop down doors. Designed by Swiss architect Fritz Haller and Paul Schaerer in 1963. Made from powder coated steel and chrome plated steel tubes, the US...
Chrome, Steel
$9,595Sale Price|20% Off
Arne Vodder Rosewood Credenza with Blue & White Drawers, Denmark, 1960
By Sibast, Arne Vodder
Located in San Diego, CA
Danish designers in the mid-century era intentionally used color to brighten interiors during the long, dim Scandinavian winters, bringing a sense of energy, optimism, and lightness ...
Rosewood
1970s/80s Postmodern Deco Themed Pierre Cardin 3 Part Credenza in White & Chrome
By Pierre Cardin
Located in Hudson, NY
Stunning and sturdy three part credenza or dresser which consists of a pair of Pierre Cardin designed nightstands with a separate 40" wide chest placed between. Practical yet elegant...
Chrome
Midcentury Style Black & White Murano Glass and Brass Cabinet or Credenza
Located in Rome, IT
Very fine handmade credenza by a master artisan. Brass frame with handmade and hand-cut black and white Zebra opaline Murano glass , raised on special brass legs.
Glass, Wood
Midcentury Style Black & White Murano Glass and Brass Cabinet or Credenza
Located in Rome, IT
Very fine handmade credenza by a master artisan. Brass frame with handmade and hand-cut black and white Zebra opaline Murano glass , raised on special brass legs.
Glass, Wood
White Lacquer Walnut 39" Tall Double Doors 3 Drawer Compartment Credenza Dresser
By Established Lines, Harvey Probber
Located in Rockaway, NJ
White Lacquer Walnut 39" Tall Double Doors 3 Drawer Compartment Credenza Dresser
Walnut
Low Profile White Lacquer Oiled Walnut Drawers TV Stand Credenza Console MINT!
By Established Lines
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Low Profile White Lacquer Oiled Walnut Drawers TV Stand Credenza Console MINT!
Walnut
Unavailable
H 27 in W 72 in D 18 in
Mid-Century Style 3-Door Amalfi Credenza in White w/ Recycled Wood Door Fronts
By Modshop
Located in Compton, CA
Owners, John and Taryn Bernard design all our custom collections themselves (furniture, throw pillows, bedding prints, and custom modern art), drawing inspiration from items found du...
Wood, Scrap Wood
Finn Leg White Cerused Credenza
By Irwin Feld
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional four door credenza by Irwin Feld Design for CF Modern. Shown in a reversed white cerused oak with an antiqued brass hardware, we offer custom sizes and finishes. We can c...
Brass
Made To Order White Oak Cane Credenza
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Made custom for a staging job, used for a few months. True cane doors with a mix of solid and veneer white oak. Finished on all sides. Three shelves inside. We can add holes to run w...
Cane
Florence Knoll Large Black and White Lacquered Credenza
By Florence Knoll
Located in Dallas, TX
A very nice sideboard from Florence Knoll edited and signed by Knoll International, circa 1950s. The cabinet features four sliding drawers with leather pulls that reveal shelf within...
Unavailable
H 42 in W 42 in D 16 in
Laska Credenza in Quarter-Sawn White Oak, Sliding Doors, Customizable
By Rather Well Design
Located in Louisville, KY
The Laska credenza is built in our Brooklyn studio using premium hardwoods and thoughtfully selected wood veneers. This piece features custom veneered panels framed flush with solid ...
Brass
Vintage White Lacquered Credenza in the Style of Mastercraft
By Mastercraft
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Large-scale white lacquered credenza with chrome handles in the style of Mastercraft, circa 1970s.
Belgian Black Marble, Chrome
White Lacquered Credenza with Juxtaposing Mirrored Doors and Top
By Paul Laszlo
Located in Bedford, NY
One door has charcoal mirror and one has clear. Half of the pilaster between doors is charcoal and clear mirror. Top is in the style of Paul Laszlo, that is. half in clear and hal...
Made To Order White Oak and Cane Credenza Three Panels
Located in Los Angeles, CA
W86.5 D16.25 H23.5 Please inquire about availability and in Stock floor models. 4-6 week turn around time No floor models available Designed and made in-in house using a combinati...
Oak
Custom Tanker Style Steel Credenza in Brass and White Finish
By Steelcase, Allsteel, Rehab Vintage Interiors
Located in Alhambra, CA
Custom made steel credenza inspired by tanker style furniture popular in the 1960s. This beauty features a two-tone brass and gloss white powder coated finish and double sliding door...
Steel
Unavailable
H 28 in W 84 in D 20 in
Retro Modern White Lacquered Credenza with Walnut Trim, Brass Pulls
By Modshop
Located in Compton, CA
Owners, John and Taryn Bernard design all our custom collections themselves (furniture, throw pillows, bedding prints, and custom modern art), drawing inspiration from items found du...
Brass
Unavailable
H 33.86 in W 77.56 in D 20.67 in
Mid-Century Modern Sideboard "Series 3" by Dieter Waeckerlin Idealheim White
By Dieter Waeckerlin
Located in Munster, DE
Dieter Waeckerlin designed the Series 3 sideboard for Idealheim in 1963. Four drawers of different sizes and two doors form the front of the piece of furniture. Three slide-in shelve...
Formica, Walnut
Unavailable
H 25 in W 60 in D 18 in
White Lacquered Credenza with Hand-Cut Walnut Scale Detailing and Lucite Legs
By Modshop
Located in Compton, CA
This credenza features a solid North American oiled walnut facade with 7" Lucite legs. Each piece of the facade is individually hand cut by our skilled craftsmen combined to make a s...
Walnut
Unavailable
H 28 in W 48 in D 18 in
Laska Credenza in Quarter-Sawn White Oak, Three Drawers, One Door, Customizable
By Rather Well Design
Located in Louisville, KY
The Laska credenza is built in our Louisville, KY studio using premium hardwoods and thoughtfully selected wood veneers. This piece features custom veneered panels framed flush with ...
Wood, Oak
Unavailable
H 27 in W 72 in D 18 in
Art Deco Modern White Three-Door Credenza with Geometric Detail and Brass Legs
By Modshop
Located in Compton, CA
Mimicking the infamous city skyline with its straight lines, the Manhattan credenza in white is inspired by its namesake. With hints of Art Deco influence and brass legs, it's a perf...
Lucite
Unavailable
H 31.5 in W 72 in D 20 in
Art Deco Style White Lacquer Credenza w/ Arch Detail and Lucite & Brass Accents
By Modshop
Located in Compton, CA
Owners, John and Taryn Bernard design all our custom collections themselves (furniture, throw pillows, bedding prints, and custom modern art), drawing inspiration from items found du...
Brass
Unavailable
H 31.5 in W 54 in D 20 in
Midcentury Art Deco Two-Door White Credenza Lacquer with Lucite and Brass Legs
By Modshop
Located in Compton, CA
A modern twist on the Classic Art Deco styling shown through arches across the credenza. Elegant and symmetrical, the Art Deco Credenza shows off its style and sophistication through...
Brass
White Mid Century Credenza
Located in New York, NY
White lacquered credenza by Drexel. Five roomy drawers and two cabinet doors . Newly lacquered in white with heavy polished nickel pulls
Wood
Mid Century Teak Credenza by White & Newton
By White & Newton
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This superbly crafted 1960s credenza was produced by White & Newton, UK during the 1960s. A large handsome piece, the left hand side has two cabinet doors with stunning con...
Teak
Mid-Century Walnut Credenza
Located in Astoria, NY
Mid-Century walnut Credenza with original brass pulls.
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Credenza Sideboard by White and Newton
By White & Newton
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This beautiful credenza by British designer White and Newton in the 1960s is a fantastice piece of furniture. With a gorgeos grain stunning inset handles this piece of furniture woul...
Teak
Mid Century Credenza by Philip Hussey for White & Newton
By White & Newton
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This superb ‘Winchester’ teak credenza was designed by Philip Hussey for White & Newton of Portsmouth, 1960s. Features a pair of concertina doors opening to a spacious inte...
Teak
Mid Century Modern White and Newton Teak Credenza, Circa 1960s
By White & Newton
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Restored Mid-Century modern teak credenza made by English company, White & Newton.
Teak
Mid Century Modern Vintage Teak Sideboard Credenza by White and Newton
By White & Newton
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Discover the exquisite craftsmanship of this beautiful sideboard by British furniture maker White and Newton. With its stunning Mid Century Design, this vintage teak sideboard creden...
Teak
White and Newton Teak Credenza
By White & Newton
Located in Redding, CT
White and Newton Teak Credenza. Sleek , Long and lean! Stamped in top silverware drawer White and Newton Ltd. Portsmouth.. Three drawers on the the left ,center pull down bar, right ...
Teak
Sold
H 33 in W 63.5 in D 17 in
Sophisticated American Mid-Century Modern Walnut Four-Door Credenza or Sideboard
Located in San Francisco, CA
The height of American modernism with four glass doors fitted with metal framework and stylish brass pulls; raised on tapering legs with brass caps; stamp on back 'White Furniture Co...
Wood
Long White Oak Mid Century Credenza
Located in Westwood, NJ
Precision-crafted, this exquisite piece boasts Oak veneers in a pristine white finish, complemented by textured gunmetal iron inlays in both circular and linear designs. This creden...
Metal
Mid-Century White Lacquered Credenza
Located in Miami, FL
Beautiful Nickeled Bronze Accents Create a Stunning Effect on this Mid-Century White Lacquered Credenza.
Mid-Century Pastoe Wenge and White Credenza
By Pastoe
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pastoe credenza with wenge frame, off white doors and black enameled legs.
Formica, Wenge
Organically shaped, clean-lined and elegantly simple are three terms that well describe vintage mid-century modern furniture. The style, which emerged primarily in the years following World War II, is characterized by pieces that were conceived and made in an energetic, optimistic spirit by creators who believed that good design was an essential part of good living.
ORIGINS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW
ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS
VINTAGE MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS
The mid-century modern era saw leagues of postwar American architects and designers animated by new ideas and new technology. The lean, functionalist International-style architecture of Le Corbusier and Bauhaus eminences Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius had been promoted in the United States during the 1930s by Philip Johnson and others. New building techniques, such as “post-and-beam” construction, allowed the International-style schemes to be realized on a small scale in open-plan houses with long walls of glass.
Materials developed for wartime use became available for domestic goods and were incorporated into mid-century modern furniture designs. Charles and Ray Eames and Eero Saarinen, who had experimented extensively with molded plywood, eagerly embraced fiberglass for pieces such as the La Chaise and the Womb chair, respectively.
Architect, writer and designer George Nelson created with his team shades for the Bubble lamp using a new translucent polymer skin and, as design director at Herman Miller, recruited the Eameses, Alexander Girard and others for projects at the legendary Michigan furniture manufacturer.
Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi devised chairs and tables built of wire mesh and wire struts. Materials were repurposed too: The Danish-born designer Jens Risom created a line of chairs using surplus parachute straps for webbed seats and backrests.
The Risom lounge chair was among the first pieces of furniture commissioned and produced by celebrated manufacturer Knoll, a chief influencer in the rise of modern design in the United States, thanks to the work of Florence Knoll, the pioneering architect and designer who made the firm a leader in its field. The seating that Knoll created for office spaces — as well as pieces designed by Florence initially for commercial clients — soon became desirable for the home.
As the demand for casual, uncluttered furnishings grew, more mid-century furniture designers caught the spirit.
Classically oriented creators such as Edward Wormley, house designer for Dunbar Inc., offered such pieces as the sinuous Listen to Me chaise; the British expatriate T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings switched gears, creating items such as the tiered, biomorphic Mesa table. There were Young Turks such as Paul McCobb, who designed holistic groups of sleek, blond wood furniture, and Milo Baughman, who espoused a West Coast aesthetic in minimalist teak dining tables and lushly upholstered chairs and sofas with angular steel frames.
Generations turn over, and mid-century modern remains arguably the most popular style going. As the collection of vintage mid-century modern chairs, dressers, coffee tables and other furniture for the living room, dining room, bedroom and elsewhere on 1stDibs demonstrates, this period saw one of the most delightful and dramatic flowerings of creativity in design history.
Antique and vintage credenzas can add an understated touch of grace to your home. These long and sophisticated cabinet-style pieces of furniture can serve a variety of purposes, and they look great too.
In Italy, the credenza was originally a small side table used in religious services. Appropriately, credere in Italian means “to believe.” Credenzas were a place to not only set the food ready for meals, they were also a place to test and taste prepared food for poison before a dish was served to a member of the ruling class. Later, credenza was used to describe a type of versatile narrow side table, typically used for serving food in the home. In form, a credenza has much in common with a sideboard — in fact, the terms credenza and sideboard are used almost interchangeably today.
Credenzas usually have short legs or no legs at all, and can feature drawers and cabinets. And all kinds of iterations of the credenza have seen the light of day over the years, from ornately carved walnut credenzas originating in 16th-century Tuscany to the wealth of Art Deco credenzas — with their polished surfaces and geometric patterns — to the array of innovative modernist interpretations that American furniture maker Milo Baughman created for Directional and Thayer Coggin.
The credenza’s blend of style and functionality led to its widespread use in the 20th century. Mid-century modern credenzas are particularly popular — take a look at Danish furniture designer Arne Vodder’s classic Model 29, for instance, with its reversible sliding doors and elegant drawer pulls. Hans Wegner, another Danish modernist, produced strikingly minimalist credenzas in the 1950s and ’60s, as did influential American designer Florence Knoll. Designers continue to explore new and exciting ways to update this long-loved furnishing.
Owing to its versatility and familiar low-profile form, the credenza remains popular in contemporary homes. Unlike many larger case pieces, credenzas can be placed under windows and in irregularly shaped rooms, such as foyers and entryways. This renders it a useful storage solution. In living rooms, for example, a credenza can be a sleek media console topped with plants and the rare art monographs you’ve been planning to show off. In homes with open floor plans, a credenza can help define multiple living spaces, making it ideal for loft apartments.
Browse a variety of antique and vintage credenzas for sale on 1stDibs to find the perfect fit for your home today.
