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18th Century Japanned Trunk
Located in London, GB
A continental Japanned trunk, early 18th century. Decorated in the Japanese taste with elaborate
Category

18th Century and Earlier German Japanese Antique Chest

Materials

Brass

Antique 18th Century Japanned Trunk
18th Century Japanned Trunk

18th Century Japanned Trunk

$5,477
Bo isho dansu from Matsumoto Japan.
By Matsumoto Fuko
Located in New York, NY
Isho Dansu clothing chest with locking bar from Matsumoto in Nagano prefecture, Japan. Hardware
Category

19th Century Japanese Japanese Antique Chest

Antique Bo isho dansu from Matsumoto Japan.
Bo isho dansu from Matsumoto Japan.

Bo isho dansu from Matsumoto Japan.

$7,250
Anglo Japanese Painted and Decorated Lacquer dresser
Located in New York, NY
Anglo Japanese ca 1920 lacquer and painted decorated chest of drawers
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Japanese Antique Chest

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Antique Anglo Japanese Painted and Decorated Lacquer dresser
Anglo Japanese Painted and Decorated Lacquer dresser

Anglo Japanese Painted and Decorated Lacquer dresser

$1,800
George I Black Japanned Highboy
Located in New York, NY
Good George I black japanned highboy with japanned decoration; the upper section fitted with
Category

18th Century and Earlier English Japanese Antique Chest

Materials

Wood

Antique George I Black Japanned Highboy
George I Black Japanned Highboy

George I Black Japanned Highboy

$50,000
A black and gilt Japanned Coffer On Stand, Circa 1730.
Located in Avington, Hampshire
speckled gilt boarder, the sides with carrying handles, on a black-Japanned and parcel-gilt stand with
Category

18th Century and Earlier British George II Japanese Antique Chest

Antique A black and gilt Japanned Coffer On Stand, Circa 1730.
A black and gilt Japanned Coffer On Stand, Circa 1730.

A black and gilt Japanned Coffer On Stand, Circa 1730.

$12,049
Japanese Sendai Chest
Located in Seattle, WA
An exceptional Japanese two sectional clothing chest (isho kasane dansu) from the Sendai region
Category

19th Century Japanese Japanese Antique Chest

Antique Japanese Sendai Chest
Japanese Sendai Chest

Japanese Sendai Chest

$10,500
Japanese Scholars chest
Located in New York, NY
Book chest with display shelves with iron details and fan shaped door handles.
Category

19th Century Japanese Japanese Antique Chest

Antique Japanese Scholars chest
Japanese Scholars chest

Japanese Scholars chest

$4,725
Massive Japanese Nagamochi Chest
Located in New York, NY
A very large 19th century Japanese lacquer Nagamochi chest, with metal fittings and gold family
Category

1830s Japanese Japanese Antique Chest

Materials

Wood

Antique Massive Japanese Nagamochi Chest
Massive Japanese Nagamochi Chest

Massive Japanese Nagamochi Chest

$12,000
Japanese Wheeled Tansu Chest
Located in Seattle, WA
Japanese kuruma dansu (wheel chest) of keyaki (Elm wood) with two sets of sliding panels. The
Category

19th Century Japanese Japanese Antique Chest

Materials

Iron

Antique Japanese Wheeled Tansu Chest
Japanese Wheeled Tansu Chest

Japanese Wheeled Tansu Chest

$6,800
Vintage Japanese Tansu Chest
Located in San Francisco, CA
Vintage Japanese tansu chest. tabletop wooden chest decorated with inlay and marquetry. Fittings
Category

18th Century Japanese Other Japanese Antique Chest

Materials

Hardwood

Vintage Japanese Tansu Chest
Vintage Japanese Tansu Chest

Vintage Japanese Tansu Chest

$1,900
Japanese Kimono/Armour Chest
Located in London, GB
A superb example of a Kimono chest with a highly unusual motif which is extremely modern in its
Category

19th Century Japanese Japanese Antique Chest

Japanese Kimono/Armour Chest
Japanese Kimono/Armour Chest

Japanese Kimono/Armour Chest

$22,000
Personal Chest from Takayama Japan
By Takayama Craftsmen
Located in New York, NY
Small clothing chest with painted kiri wood doors from Takayama Japan.
Category

19th Century Japanese Japanese Antique Chest

Personal Chest from Takayama Japan
Personal Chest from Takayama Japan

Personal Chest from Takayama Japan

$1,600
Japanese Ship s Chest Funa Dansu
Located in Seattle, WA
Japanese ship’s chest, funa dansu, from Sado Island. The cho-bako type chest of keyaki (zelkova
Category

19th Century Japanese Japanese Antique Chest

Japanese Ship s Chest Funa Dansu
Japanese Ship s Chest Funa Dansu

Japanese Ship s Chest Funa Dansu

$12,600
Lacquered storage chest from Japan.
By Takayama Craftsmen
Located in New York, NY
Storage chest with lacquer and drawers distinctive to Takayama, Japan. Possibly used for books or
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Japanese Antique Chest

Lacquered storage chest from Japan.
Lacquered storage chest from Japan.

Lacquered storage chest from Japan.

$4,550
Japanese Kiri Wood Office Chest
Located in Seattle, WA
A small Japanese choba-dansu, or office chest, constructed entirely of Kiri wood (Paulownia) with
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Japanese Antique Chest

Japanese Kiri Wood Office Chest
Japanese Kiri Wood Office Chest

Japanese Kiri Wood Office Chest

$3,800
Shop Chest from Fukushima Japan.
By Fukushima Craftsmen
Located in New York, NY
Inventory storage chest
Category

19th Century Japanese Japanese Antique Chest

Shop Chest from Fukushima Japan.
Shop Chest from Fukushima Japan.

Shop Chest from Fukushima Japan.

$2,200
Large Japanese Sea Captains Chest
By Sado Craftsmen
Located in New York, NY
Unusually large ships chest from Sado Island. Nice original patina.
Category

19th Century Japanese Japanese Antique Chest

Large Japanese Sea Captains Chest
Large Japanese Sea Captains Chest

Large Japanese Sea Captains Chest

Japanese Kaidan Dansu - Step Chest
Located in New York, NY
Kaidan dansu - stout step chest with removable 1st step. Waxed original condition.
Category

19th Century Japanese Japanese Antique Chest

Japanese Kaidan Dansu - Step Chest
Japanese Kaidan Dansu - Step Chest

Japanese Kaidan Dansu - Step Chest

$5,500
Japanese Keyaki Wood Merchant s Chest
Located in Seattle, WA
Japanese choba-dansu (merchant’s chest) constructed of kuri (chestnut) wood with keyaki (zelkova
Category

19th Century Japanese Japanese Antique Chest

Japanese Keyaki Wood Merchant s Chest
Japanese Keyaki Wood Merchant s Chest

Japanese Keyaki Wood Merchant s Chest

$2,800
Japanese Kaidan-dansu Staircase Chest
Located in Seattle, WA
A fine Japanese Kaidan-dansu (staircase chest) rising to the right, the bottom two treads turned to
Category

19th Century Japanese Japanese Antique Chest

Materials

Elm

Japanese Kaidan-dansu Staircase Chest
Japanese Kaidan-dansu Staircase Chest

Japanese Kaidan-dansu Staircase Chest

$9,800
Japanese Shop Chest Choba Tansu
Located in Seattle, WA
A Japanese shop chest, choba dansu, crafted entirely of sugi (cryptomeria) wood. The tansu with a
Category

19th Century Japanese Japanese Antique Chest

Materials

Wood

Japanese Shop Chest Choba Tansu
Japanese Shop Chest Choba Tansu

Japanese Shop Chest Choba Tansu

$7,500
19th Century Japanese Clothing Chest
Located in Stockbridge, MA
Japanese 19th century clothing chest with hand forged black iron hardware. Japanese cedar wood.
Category

19th Century Japanese Edo Japanese Antique Chest

Materials

Cedar

19th Century Japanese Clothing Chest
19th Century Japanese Clothing Chest

19th Century Japanese Clothing Chest

$2,600
Japanese Makeup Chest
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Japanese makeup chest. mirror and doors
Category

1880s Japanese Antique Chest

Japanese Makeup Chest

Japanese Makeup Chest

$950
Japanese Keyaki Tansu Merchant s Chest
Located in New York, NY
Japanese Merchant’s Chest (choba-dansu), Toyama, the front entirely constructed of keyaki (Zelkova
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Japanese Antique Chest

Materials

Iron

Japanese Keyaki Tansu Merchant s Chest
Japanese Keyaki Tansu Merchant s Chest

Japanese Keyaki Tansu Merchant s Chest

$8,500
Massive Japanese Kyushaku Mizuya (Kitchen Chest)
Located in Seattle, WA
Japanese massive kyushaku mizuya, kitchen pantry storage chest from the Kyoto area. Originally used
Category

19th Century Japanese Japanese Antique Chest

Massive Japanese Kyushaku Mizuya (Kitchen Chest)
Massive Japanese Kyushaku Mizuya (Kitchen Chest)

Massive Japanese Kyushaku Mizuya (Kitchen Chest)

$28,000
Vintage Japanese Kiriwood Isho Tansu Chest
Located in Brattleboro, VT
Versatile and elegant Japanese Kiriwood Isho Tansu chest. The ingenuity of Japanese joinery
Category

19th Century Japanese Japanese Antique Chest

Materials

Metal

Vintage Japanese Kiriwood Isho Tansu Chest
Vintage Japanese Kiriwood Isho Tansu Chest

Vintage Japanese Kiriwood Isho Tansu Chest

$1,900
Large Japanese Kitchen Chest from Hikone
Located in New York, NY
Kitchen Chest (Mizuya) from the Hikone area on lake Biwa Japan.
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Japanese Antique Chest

Materials

Lacquer

Large Japanese Kitchen Chest from Hikone

Large Japanese Kitchen Chest from Hikone

Antique Japanese Personal Merchant s Tansu Chest
Located in Harbor Springs, MI
The Merchant’s Chest, also called a Tansu, has origins dating back to Japan’s Meiji period and is
Category

19th Century Japanese Japanese Antique Chest

Materials

Iron

Antique Japanese Personal Merchant s Tansu Chest
Antique Japanese Personal Merchant s Tansu Chest

Antique Japanese Personal Merchant s Tansu Chest

$2,200
Exceptional Japanese Choba dansu Office Chest
Located in Seattle, WA
Japanese choba dansu (office chest) of unusual dimensions. The single section tansu constructed of
Category

19th Century Japanese Japanese Antique Chest

Exceptional Japanese Choba dansu Office Chest
Exceptional Japanese Choba dansu Office Chest

Exceptional Japanese Choba dansu Office Chest

$6,400
Sugi Burl Merchant Chest from Japan
Located in New York, NY
Sugi wood merchants chest with burl wood panels and drawer faces. Hand forged iron hardware
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Japanese Antique Chest

Sugi Burl Merchant Chest from Japan
Sugi Burl Merchant Chest from Japan

Sugi Burl Merchant Chest from Japan

$7,440
Large Japanese 19th Century Storage Chest
Located in New York, NY
A large-scale and interesting lidded chest with Tokugawa family crests in gold on the front and
Category

19th Century Japanese Japanese Antique Chest

Materials

Wood

Large Japanese 19th Century Storage Chest
Large Japanese 19th Century Storage Chest

Large Japanese 19th Century Storage Chest

$8,000
19th Century Japanese Kiri Wood Tansu Chest
Located in Bodicote, Oxfordshire
A very nice and charming Japanese Tansu two part chest constructed in Kiri wood with metal mounts
Category

1890s Japanese Japanese Antique Chest

Materials

Wood

19th Century Japanese Kiri Wood Tansu Chest
19th Century Japanese Kiri Wood Tansu Chest

19th Century Japanese Kiri Wood Tansu Chest

$1,574
Japanese Kuruma Tansu Large Wheeled Storage Chest
Located in New York, NY
Japanese Kuruma-dansu, a wheeled storage chest traditionally kept in the Kura (storeroom
Category

Mid-19th Century Japanese Edo Japanese Antique Chest

Materials

Chestnut, Cypress

Japanese Kuruma Tansu Large Wheeled Storage Chest
Japanese Kuruma Tansu Large Wheeled Storage Chest

Japanese Kuruma Tansu Large Wheeled Storage Chest

$9,000
Antique Japanese Carpenter s Tansu Chest of Drawers
Located in New York, NY
Japanese Carpenter’s tool chest, constructed of Cedar (sugi, Cryptomeria japonica) with a persimmon
Category

Early 19th Century Japanese Meiji Japanese Antique Chest

Materials

Copper

Antique Japanese Carpenter s Tansu Chest of Drawers
Antique Japanese Carpenter s Tansu Chest of Drawers

Antique Japanese Carpenter s Tansu Chest of Drawers

$1,400
Large Japanese karabitsu lacquer and gilt metal storage chest
Located in Fresno, CA
Large Japanese karabitsu or storage chest, of lacquer and gilt metal. These chests were frequently
Category

19th Century Japanese Japanese Antique Chest

Large Japanese karabitsu lacquer and gilt metal storage chest
Large Japanese karabitsu lacquer and gilt metal storage chest

Large Japanese karabitsu lacquer and gilt metal storage chest

$24,000
Kiriwood Three Level Tansu
Located in New York, NY
Kiriwood multi-level tansu with drawers, sliding door cabinets, and original iron handles and fittings.
Category

19th Century Japanese Japanese Antique Chest

Materials

Iron

Kiriwood Three Level Tansu
Kiriwood Three Level Tansu

Kiriwood Three Level Tansu

$2,750
Kiri Wood Tansu
Located in New York, NY
Kiri Wood Tansu with Original Brass Fittings
Category

19th Century Japanese Japanese Antique Chest

Materials

Brass

Kiri Wood Tansu
Kiri Wood Tansu

Kiri Wood Tansu

$4,000
Japanese Yonezawa Tansu 2-Section Clothing Storage Chest
Located in New York, NY
Japanese 2-section chest-on-chest for clothing storage (isho kasane-dansu) from Yonezawa
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Japanese Antique Chest

Materials

Iron

Japanese Yonezawa Tansu 2-Section Clothing Storage Chest
Japanese Yonezawa Tansu 2-Section Clothing Storage Chest

Japanese Yonezawa Tansu 2-Section Clothing Storage Chest

$3,600
Japanese Yonezawa Tansu 2-Section Clothing Storage Chest
Located in New York, NY
Large Japanese 2-section chest-on-chest for clothing storage (isho kasane-dansu) from Yonezawa
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Japanese Antique Chest

Materials

Iron

Japanese Yonezawa Tansu 2-Section Clothing Storage Chest
Japanese Yonezawa Tansu 2-Section Clothing Storage Chest

Japanese Yonezawa Tansu 2-Section Clothing Storage Chest

$5,200
Elmwood Two-Tier Tansu
Located in New York, NY
Elmwood Tansu with Brass fittings.
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Japanese Antique Chest

Materials

Brass

Elmwood Two-Tier Tansu
Elmwood Two-Tier Tansu

Elmwood Two-Tier Tansu

$5,000
Japanese Keyaki Wood Funa Dansu or Ship s Chest
Located in Seattle, WA
Japanese Keyaki wood Funa dansu, or ship's chest, in the cho bako style with multiple drawers and
Category

19th Century Japanese Japanese Antique Chest

Materials

Iron

Japanese Keyaki Wood Funa Dansu or Ship s Chest
Japanese Keyaki Wood Funa Dansu or Ship s Chest

Japanese Keyaki Wood Funa Dansu or Ship s Chest

$6,800
Japanese Jewelry Chest with Hand Decorations, 19th Century
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A wonderful chest for jewelry or for display, it has two doors over two drawers and the interior
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Chinese Export Japanese Antique Chest

Materials

Wood

Japanese Jewelry Chest with Hand Decorations, 19th Century
Japanese Jewelry Chest with Hand Decorations, 19th Century

Japanese Jewelry Chest with Hand Decorations, 19th Century

$900
Late 19th Century Cypress Japanese Kitchen Chest Mizuya Dansu
Located in CILAVEGNA, IT
Elegant and with a Minimalist design late 19th century Japanese kitchen chest, typically called
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Edo Japanese Antique Chest

Materials

Cypress

Late 19th Century Cypress Japanese Kitchen Chest Mizuya Dansu
Late 19th Century Cypress Japanese Kitchen Chest Mizuya Dansu

Late 19th Century Cypress Japanese Kitchen Chest Mizuya Dansu

$13,647
Cedar Keyaki Chest Japanese Meiji Tansu Dresser Storage Drawers
Located in Monterey, CA
This lacquered cedar and kayak clothing chest (Sendai Isho Dansu) is from the Sendai, Miyagi
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Japanese Antique Chest

Materials

Cedar

Cedar Keyaki Chest Japanese Meiji Tansu Dresser Storage Drawers
Cedar Keyaki Chest Japanese Meiji Tansu Dresser Storage Drawers

Cedar Keyaki Chest Japanese Meiji Tansu Dresser Storage Drawers

$8,900
Two-Section Cedar Elm Clothing Chest Dresser Bedside Japanese
Located in Monterey, CA
Two-section stacked lacquered clothing chest. Material: Cedar (Sugi) and Elm (Keyaki) Origin
Category

19th Century Japanese Meiji Japanese Antique Chest

Materials

Cedar

Two-Section Cedar Elm Clothing Chest Dresser Bedside Japanese
Two-Section Cedar Elm Clothing Chest Dresser Bedside Japanese

Two-Section Cedar Elm Clothing Chest Dresser Bedside Japanese

$5,900
Japanese Nagamochi Chest of Bamboo with Wrought Iron Hardware, circa 1800s
Located in Madison, WI
This chest was used in 19th century Japan to carry the bridal trousseau from her village to the
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Anglo-Japanese Japanese Antique Chest

Materials

Wrought Iron

Japanese Nagamochi Chest of Bamboo with Wrought Iron Hardware, circa 1800s
Japanese Nagamochi Chest of Bamboo with Wrought Iron Hardware, circa 1800s

Japanese Nagamochi Chest of Bamboo with Wrought Iron Hardware, circa 1800s

$750
Large Japanese Rosewood Taisho 3-Section Tansu Clothing Storage Chest
Located in New York, NY
Large Japanese 3-section clothing chest, crafted of chestnut and cedar with the entire facade of a
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Taisho Japanese Antique Chest

Materials

Chestnut, Elm, Rosewood

Large Japanese Rosewood Taisho 3-Section Tansu Clothing Storage Chest
Large Japanese Rosewood Taisho 3-Section Tansu Clothing Storage Chest

Large Japanese Rosewood Taisho 3-Section Tansu Clothing Storage Chest

$9,500
Large Pair of 19th Century Red Lacquer Storage Chests, Probably Japanese
Located in Concord, MA
This pair of 19th century red lacquer chests make perfect side tables! Lift top, revealing an open
Category

19th Century Japanese Japanese Antique Chest

Materials

Lacquer

Large Pair of 19th Century Red Lacquer Storage Chests, Probably Japanese
Large Pair of 19th Century Red Lacquer Storage Chests, Probably Japanese

Large Pair of 19th Century Red Lacquer Storage Chests, Probably Japanese

$3,000 / set
Red Japanned Metal Tea Chest Mid 19thc
Located in Houston, TX
Mid 19th century red tole tea caddy Chinoisserie decoration with a pair of canisters, glass bowl of same date but not original to caddy. some old retouching on the paint.
Category

19th Century British Japanese Antique Chest

Materials

Metal

Red Japanned Metal Tea Chest Mid 19thc
Red Japanned Metal Tea Chest Mid 19thc

Red Japanned Metal Tea Chest Mid 19thc

$2,950
Japanese Tansu Light Wood Kiri Black Hardware Chest Side Table Bedside Table
Located in Monterey, CA
Japanese Tansu chest constructed entirely of kiri with large iron handles and massive iron lock
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Japanese Antique Chest

Materials

Wood

Japanese Tansu Light Wood Kiri Black Hardware Chest Side Table Bedside Table
Japanese Tansu Light Wood Kiri Black Hardware Chest Side Table Bedside Table

Japanese Tansu Light Wood Kiri Black Hardware Chest Side Table Bedside Table

$4,699
Large Japanese Black Lacquered Storage Chest, 19th Century
Located in London, GB
An absolutely stunning large Japanese black lacquered storage chest, 19th century. This chest is
Category

19th Century Asian Japanese Antique Chest

Materials

Wood

Large Japanese Black Lacquered Storage Chest, 19th Century
Large Japanese Black Lacquered Storage Chest, 19th Century

Large Japanese Black Lacquered Storage Chest, 19th Century

$24,646
Japanese Tansu Cedar Elm Chest Sendai Style 19th Century
Located in Monterey, CA
that you can use to move the piece. Cedar chests are highly valued in Japan for their resistance to
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Chest

Japanese Tansu Cedar Elm Chest Sendai Style 19th Century
Japanese Tansu Cedar Elm Chest Sendai Style 19th Century

Japanese Tansu Cedar Elm Chest Sendai Style 19th Century

$11,951
Mizuya/Kitchen Chest
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
Kitchen chest consists of two stacked pieces with sliding doors and drawers. Warm clear urushi
Category

19th Century Japanese Japanese Antique Chest

Mizuya/Kitchen Chest
Mizuya/Kitchen Chest

Mizuya/Kitchen Chest

$6,500
Kaidan Dansu _ Step Chest
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
Step chests were custom made for old Japanese houses to reach the 2nd floor or loft and doubled in
Category

19th Century Japanese Japanese Antique Chest

Materials

Cedar

Kaidan Dansu _ Step Chest
Kaidan Dansu _ Step Chest

Kaidan Dansu _ Step Chest

$16,000
Mizuya/Kitchen Chest
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
used to own such a large kitchen chest.
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Japanese Antique Chest

Materials

Cedar, Cypress

Mizuya/Kitchen Chest
Mizuya/Kitchen Chest

Mizuya/Kitchen Chest

$5,500
Kuruma Dansu/Wheel Chest
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
Kuruma Dansu or wheel chest, older piece (19th C.) with beautiful wrought iron work, showing
Category

19th Century Japanese Japanese Antique Chest

Materials

Wrought Iron

Kuruma Dansu/Wheel Chest
Kuruma Dansu/Wheel Chest

Kuruma Dansu/Wheel Chest

$6,800
Katana-Dansu, Sword Chest, Hokuriku Region
Located in New York, NY
Katana-Dansu Sword Chest from the Late Edo Period. Previously published in book "Japanese Cabinetry
Category

19th Century Japanese Japanese Antique Chest

Katana-Dansu, Sword Chest, Hokuriku Region
Katana-Dansu, Sword Chest, Hokuriku Region

Katana-Dansu, Sword Chest, Hokuriku Region

$4,500
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Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets Under $3,000
Antique and Vintage Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
19th Century Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Wood Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Asian Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets on Sale
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Japanese Antique Chest For Sale on 1stDibs

At 1stDibs, there are many versions of the ideal Japanese antique chest for your home. Frequently made of wood, metal and iron, every Japanese antique chest was constructed with great care. There are many kinds of the Japanese antique chest you’re looking for, from those produced as long ago as the 18th Century to those made as recently as the 20th Century. When you’re browsing for the right Japanese antique chest, those designed in Georgian, Louis XV and Regency styles are of considerable interest. Takayama Craftsmen, Daniel Cottier and Kosai Taisho each produced at least one beautiful Japanese antique chest that is worth considering.

How Much is a Japanese Antique Chest?

A Japanese antique chest can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price 1stDibs is $3,536, while the lowest priced sells for $325 and the highest can go for as much as $600,032.

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.

Questions About Japanese Antique Chest
  • How can you tell if a chest is antique?
    1 Answer
    1stDibs ExpertSeptember 9, 2024
    To tell if a chest is antique, first examine its materials and details carefully. An antique chest is one produced 100 years ago or more. This generally predates the use of engineered wood, particleboard, plastics and other synthetic materials. As a result, an antique chest usually features solid wood construction.

    In addition, antique chests are likely to be handmade, so you should be able to spot subtle signs that indicate this, such as tool marks and small irregularities in any carvings. If a piece looks flawless and regular, it is unlikely to be antique. Locating a maker's mark and then researching when the manufacturer was active can also help you date your chest. Alternatively, you can use the services of a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer to learn more about your chest.

    On 1stDibs, shop a large selection of antique chests.
  • How can I tell if my Japanese pottery is antique?
    1 Answer
    1stDibs ExpertAugust 8, 2024
    To tell if your Japanese pottery is antique, look for markings, which usually appear on the bottoms of pieces. If you see the word "Nippon," your piece was likely produced between 1891 and 1921, making it an antique. Pieces marked with the words "made in occupied Japan" originated between 1945 and 1952 and are vintage, based on their age. A "made in Japan" marking may indicate a vintage or contemporary piece. If you don't see any of these markings, consult trusted online resources to get a rough idea of when your pottery was produced. Any piece that dates back 100 years or more is antique. Should you encounter difficulty with the dating process, a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer can assist you. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of Japanese pottery.
  • How do I identify an antique chest of drawers?
    1 Answer
    1stDibs ExpertNovember 4, 2024
    To identify an antique chest of drawers, look inside and beneath drawers and on the back and bottom for any type of maker's marking. Researching these marks using trusted online resources may allow you to determine who produced your chest and roughly date your piece. If your chest is at least 100 years old, it is an antique. Should you be unable to locate the maker's marks, look at the hardware. Rose head nails, one-piece cast brass pommels on the drawer handles and circular rather than hexagonal bolts may all indicate that a piece is an antique. Keep in mind that hardware may have been replaced at some point and that there are many reproductions of antique furnishings. As a result, you may wish to have a certified appraiser or experienced antique dealer complete the identification process if you're unable to identify your chest via the maker's markings. Find a range of antique chests of drawers on 1stDibs.

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In the hands of New York Heartwoods cofounder Megan Offner, unwanted local trees become works of design art.

These New York Architects Love a Complicated Project

From Brooklyn townhouses to Maine campgrounds, Trattie Davies and Jonathan Toews relish a challenge, like transforming a former warehouse space into the new 1stdibs Gallery.

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