What is the piece of furniture behind a desk called?

The piece of furniture behind a desk is usually called a credenza. It typically features cabinets and drawers for storing and organizing paperwork and office supplies. The word credenza originates from Italian and means trust or belief. During the 16th century, Italian rulers and high-ranking clergy often had tasters perform a credenza, sampling food or drink to ensure that it wasn't poisoned. Historians believe that the room where this testing took place became called "the credenza," and that eventually the term got applied to cabinets where tasting supplies were kept within the room, leading to its association with the modern office cabinet. Explore a diverse assortment of credenzas on 1stDibs.