A kasten is a traditional Dutch term for a large freestanding wardrobe or press cupboard designed for substantial linen and garment storage. These pieces form the backbone of seventeenth- and eighteenth-century storage furniture from the Netherlands and Flanders.

Households utilised these large cupboards to store household linen, folded garments, and valuable textiles safely away from dust and pests. The deep internal shelves and base drawers provided secure storage for a family's most prized fabrics.

How do I date a piece?

Dating relies on identifying structural characteristics, such as heavy cushion-moulding for seventeenth-century items versus flowing rococo marquetry for eighteenth-century examples. Timber choices and hardware styles further help separate early oak construction from later walnut and pine variations.