Credenzas
Early 20th Century American Empire Credenzas
Metal
Late 18th Century Italian Empire Antique Credenzas
Wood, Walnut
19th Century French Empire Antique Credenzas
Marble
Late 20th Century American Empire Credenzas
Birch, Walnut, Giltwood
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Credenzas
Wood
2010s Italian Empire Credenzas
Gold Leaf, Silver Leaf
2010s Italian Empire Credenzas
Marble, Gold Leaf, Silver Leaf
2010s Italian Empire Credenzas
Marble, Gold Leaf, Silver Leaf
1810s German Empire Antique Credenzas
Brass
1950s Italian Vintage Credenzas
Wood
19th Century English Victorian Antique Credenzas
Mirror, Walnut
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Credenzas
Walnut
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Credenzas
Glass, Wood
Late 19th Century French Renaissance Revival Antique Credenzas
Brass
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
Brass
19th Century Irish Regency Antique Credenzas
Mahogany
20th Century American Regency Credenzas
Marble
Mid-18th Century Swedish Baroque Antique Credenzas
Bronze
2010s Brazilian Credenzas
Teak, Cane
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Credenzas
Mirror, Rosewood
1960s Italian Art Deco Vintage Credenzas
Brass
Early 19th Century Italian Empire Antique Credenzas
Walnut
1980s American Empire Vintage Credenzas
Brass
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Credenzas
Brass, Bronze
Late 19th Century European Empire Antique Credenzas
Mahogany
Late 20th Century Unknown Empire Credenzas
Marble, Bronze
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Credenzas
Oak
1970s American Empire Vintage Credenzas
Brass
1810s French Empire Antique Credenzas
Marble
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Credenzas
Stone, Ormolu
Early 19th Century Italian Empire Antique Credenzas
Mahogany, Walnut, Giltwood
Late 20th Century American Empire Credenzas
Brass
Late 20th Century French Empire Credenzas
Granite
Vintage, New and Antique Credenzas
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 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, new and vintage credenzas on 1stDibs to find the perfect fit for your home today.