Shallow Shelves
Antique Mid-18th Century Italian Cupboards
Pine, Paint
Antique 1870s English Cabinets
Brass
Antique 1890s French Rustic Dry Bars
Glass, Wood
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
Chrome
Vintage 1960s American Chippendale Secretaires
Maple
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
Laminate, Walnut, Paint
Antique Late 19th Century Chinese Qing Shelves
Elm
Antique Mid-19th Century Chinese Qing Shelves
Elm
Vintage 1980s Italian Wardrobes and Armoires
Walnut
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
Aluminum, Chrome
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Bookcases
Teak
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Carts and Bar Carts
Plastic
Antique Late 19th Century Chinese Qing Cabinets
Elm
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
Teak
Late 20th Century American Modern Cabinets
Brass
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sideboards
Metal, Brass
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
Antique Mid-19th Century Chinese Qing Cabinets
Wood
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Cabinets
Wood, Lacquer, Paint
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Cupboards
Agate, Brass
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Modern Credenzas
Brass
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Credenzas
Brass
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Bookcases
Mahogany
Early 20th Century French Louis Philippe Shelves
Mahogany
Antique Late 18th Century Shelves
Mahogany, Pine
Finnish Shelves
Ash
Vintage 1960s English Mid-Century Modern Shelves
Teak
Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Shelves
Teak
Vintage 1960s Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Shelves
Brass
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Shelves
Teak
Vintage 1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Dry Bars
Brass
Vintage 1910s French Arts and Crafts Sideboards
Oak
Antique 1840s French Wardrobes and Armoires
Brass
Antique 19th Century French Other Bookcases
Walnut
Antique Late 19th Century German Secretaires
Pine
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Shelves and Wall Cabinets
Wood
Vintage 1950s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Steel
Antique Late 19th Century Hungarian Rustic Shelves
Pine
Antique Mid-19th Century Chinese Qing Shelves
Spruce
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
Teak
20th Century American Cabinets
Brass
Antique 1880s English Corner Cupboards
Marble, Brass
Early 20th Century English Bookcases
Oak
Vintage 1970s American Credenzas
Laminate
Antique Late 19th Century French French Provincial Buffets
Brass
Antique 19th Century French Early Victorian Sideboards
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Cabinets
Brass
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Cabinets
Rosewood
Vintage 1940s Danish Dry Bars
Brass
Early 20th Century Swedish Art Deco Bookcases
Birch
Antique Mid-19th Century Swedish Gustavian Cupboards
Pine
Antique 18th Century French Louis XVI Cabinets
Oak
Early 20th Century British Edwardian Cabinets
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Cabinets
Teak
Vintage 1930s Belgian Country Vitrines
Glass, Wood
20th Century Danish Dry Bars
Rosewood, Glass, Mirror
Antique 19th Century English William IV Bookcases
Mahogany
20th Century Danish Cabinets
Rosewood
Antique Mid-19th Century Swedish Gustavian Cupboards
Pine
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Shallow Shelves For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are Shallow Shelves?
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.
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