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European Cabinets

Originally conceived in the medieval era, cabinets remained low-key, almost exclusively practical pieces until the stylish French put their mark on the furniture pieces. The French dressoir, a precursor to the dressers used for clothing storage, lived in the dining room. These early cupboards were little more than trestle tables with shelves on top, forerunners to modern hutches and china cabinets.

With the perfection of woodworking joints, the refinement of quality finishing techniques, and the development of advanced hinges, locking mechanisms, and hardware, the cabinet took on a more sophisticated demeanor over time. European cabinet panels, doors, and friezes became decorative surfaces indicative of the nuances of their furniture style: from English Tudor arches, tracery, and cutouts that mimicked Gothic architecture to the gilted, painted, and elaborately carved in Italian Renaissance style.

The European cabinet's evolution closely traces that of furniture as a whole. Whether simple, bare-bones structures or fashionably high-style variants, cabinets embody every sensibility.


Quick Facts

  • In the late-13th century in Lyon, the king of France granted furniture makers in the city a tax exemption that fueled an explosion of French furniture production
  • In December 2014, a 19th-century mahogany corner cabinet with a swan neck pediment and glass doors sold at Bonhams for £220
  • A 17th-century cabinet sold at a 2014 Bonhams auction in England for the tiny sum of £50

Recommended Items at Auction

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Vintage French Influenced Illuminated Breakfront
Feb 15, 10:00 AM MST
Vintage French Influenced Illuminated Breakfront
by EJ'S Auction & Appraisal
Est: $0- $0
$1104 Bids
A fine Victorian burr walnut linen press
Feb 14, 10:00 AM GMT
A fine Victorian burr walnut linen press
by Martel Maides
Est: £200- £300
£2203 Bids
TWO PART FRENCH MAHOGANY SERVER HAVING TWO DOORS IN THE MANNER OF CHARLES DUDOUYT C 1940.
Feb 25, 11:00 AM EST
TWO PART FRENCH MAHOGANY SERVER HAVING TWO DOORS IN THE MANNER OF CHARLES DUDOUYT C 1940.
by Kamelot Auctions
Est: $800- $1,200
$8001 Bid
OSVALDO BORSANI (1911-1985)
Feb 25, 2:00 PM CET
OSVALDO BORSANI (1911-1985)
by Bernaerts Auctioneers
Est: €600- €800
€3501 Bid
ANNA CASTELLI FERRIERI SQUARE 'COMPONIBILI' FOR KARTELL
Feb 17, 6:00 PM AEDT
ANNA CASTELLI FERRIERI SQUARE 'COMPONIBILI' FOR KARTELL
by Leonard Joel
Est: AUD200- AUD300
AUD1501 Bid
Late Victorian burr walnut Beaconsfield wardrobe 165 w x 60 d x 230 cm high
Feb 19, 10:00 AM AEDT
Late Victorian burr walnut Beaconsfield wardrobe 165 w x 60 d x 230 cm high
by Woodlands Auctions
Est: AUD100- AUD200
AUD101 Bid
Victorian Style Oak China Cabinet 14"X42"X60"
Mar 01, 10:00 AM EST
Victorian Style Oak China Cabinet 14"X42"X60"
by Swisher Bros. Auction
Est: $0- $0
$51 Bid
Victorian Two Piece Parlor Cabinet 15"X30"X66"
Mar 01, 10:00 AM EST
Victorian Two Piece Parlor Cabinet 15"X30"X66"
by Swisher Bros. Auction
Est: $0- $0
$51 Bid
Mahogany Victorian Corner China Cabinet With Glass Door Sides And Carved Crest 22"X38"X80"
Mar 01, 10:00 AM EST
Mahogany Victorian Corner China Cabinet With Glass Door Sides And Carved Crest 22"X38"X80"
by Swisher Bros. Auction
Est: $0- $0
$51 Bid
A chrome display cabinet,
Feb 18, 10:00 AM GMT
A chrome display cabinet,
by Sworders
Est: £300- £500
£2400 Bids
An Art Deco chrome display cabinet,
Feb 18, 10:00 AM GMT
An Art Deco chrome display cabinet,
by Sworders
Est: £300- £500
£2400 Bids
Anna Castelli Ferrieri Milan 1918-Milan 2006 Storage unit mod. 4970
Feb 18, 3:00 PM CET
Anna Castelli Ferrieri Milan 1918-Milan 2006 Storage unit mod. 4970
by Casa d'aste ARCADIA
Est: €150- €300
€1400 Bids
Serge Chermayeff (1900-1996) for Waring & Gillow  Side cabinet, circa 1930 
Feb 18, 10:00 AM GMT
Serge Chermayeff (1900-1996) for Waring & Gillow  Side cabinet, circa 1930 
by Roseberys
Est: £1,500- £2,000
£1,0000 Bids
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Louis XV style French demi lune display cabinet
Feb 23, 12:00 PM AEDT
Louis XV style French demi lune display cabinet
by Lugosi Auctioneers & Valuers
Est: AUD500- AUD1,000
AUD5000 Bids
Spanish Baroque Style Four Door Credenza
Feb 15, 10:00 AM CET
Spanish Baroque Style Four Door Credenza
by Hessink's
Est: €150- €200
€500 Bids
A 1970's Macassar Projection Wardrobe
Feb 15, 10:00 AM CET
A 1970's Macassar Projection Wardrobe
by Hessink's
Est: €150- €300
€800 Bids
FRENCH OAK CABINET HAVING A SINGLE DOOR AND A DRAWER WITH TROMPE L'OEIL EFFECT C 1940.
Feb 25, 11:00 AM EST
FRENCH OAK CABINET HAVING A SINGLE DOOR AND A DRAWER WITH TROMPE L'OEIL EFFECT C 1940.
by Kamelot Auctions
Est: $600- $800
$6000 Bids
GUILLERME ET CHAMBRON OAK FALL FRONT BAR CABINET OR SERVER
Feb 25, 11:00 AM EST
GUILLERME ET CHAMBRON OAK FALL FRONT BAR CABINET OR SERVER
by Kamelot Auctions
Est: $800- $1,200
$4000 Bids
A Mid Century German Burrwood Walnut Burr 1 drawer cabinet 128 x 102 x 48 cm
Feb 14, 9:00 AM GMT
A Mid Century German Burrwood Walnut Burr 1 drawer cabinet 128 x 102 x 48 cm
by Hannam's Auctioneers
Est: £400- £600
£3000 Bids

Sellers Who Sell European Cabinets


Austin Auction Gallery

Austin Auction Gallery

Kamelot Auctions

Kamelot Auctions

Cambi Casa d'Aste

Cambi Casa d'Aste

Bertolami Fine Art s.r.l.

Bertolami Fine Art s.r.l.