Credenza

Credenza means “belief” or “confidence” in Italian. During the Middle Ages, Italians referred to dining room sideboards or tables as credenzas because it was at the credenza that royal or noble families had servants taste their food to ensure it hadn’t been poisoned. The term evolved and was repurposed by twentieth-century furniture manufacturers. Credenzas could be found in domestic settings to house new entertainment technology like record players and even televisions. In offices, they created a streamlined aesthetic by hiding supplies that could create clutter.