Antique Secretaire Antique Furniture
18th Century Italian Neoclassical Revival Antique Secretaire Antique Furniture
Maple, Nutwood
19th Century Austrian Antique Secretaire Antique Furniture
Ebony, Walnut
19th Century Antique Secretaire Antique Furniture
19th Century Antique Secretaire Antique Furniture
Ebony, Walnut
19th Century Antique Secretaire Antique Furniture
19th Century French Antique Secretaire Antique Furniture
19th Century Antique Secretaire Antique Furniture
Wood
19th Century Antique Secretaire Antique Furniture
Wood
19th Century Antique Secretaire Antique Furniture
Ebony
19th Century Antique Secretaire Antique Furniture
Ebony, Mahogany
19th Century Antique Secretaire Antique Furniture
19th Century Antique Secretaire Antique Furniture
Cherry, Walnut
19th Century Austrian Antique Secretaire Antique Furniture
1850s Swedish Biedermeier Antique Secretaire Antique Furniture
Ash
19th Century French Antique Secretaire Antique Furniture
Walnut
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaire Antique Furniture
Wood, Paint
1790s English Antique Secretaire Antique Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century Antique Secretaire Antique Furniture
Early 1800s English Antique Secretaire Antique Furniture
Brass
19th Century Russian Antique Secretaire Antique Furniture
Early 20th Century Jacobean Antique Secretaire Antique Furniture
Brass
1810s Scandinavian Biedermeier Antique Secretaire Antique Furniture
19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Antique Secretaire Antique Furniture
Birch, Fir
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Secretaire Antique Furniture
Wood
19th Century Antique Secretaire Antique Furniture
18th Century and Earlier Austrian Antique Secretaire Antique Furniture
19th Century Austrian Antique Secretaire Antique Furniture
18th Century Antique Secretaire Antique Furniture
Kingwood
Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Secretaire Antique Furniture
Marble
1880s Swedish Victorian Antique Secretaire Antique Furniture
Walnut
19th Century English Country Antique Secretaire Antique Furniture
Wood
Mid-19th Century English Regency Antique Secretaire Antique Furniture
Rosewood
Mid-17th Century Italian Antique Secretaire Antique Furniture
Walnut
Early 19th Century Russian Neoclassical Antique Secretaire Antique Furniture
Ormolu
Early 1900s German Art Nouveau Antique Secretaire Antique Furniture
Birdseye Maple, Pine, Cherry
19th Century Antique Secretaire Antique Furniture
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Secretaire Antique Furniture
Wood, Paint
19th Century Antique Secretaire Antique Furniture
Birdseye Maple, Walnut
19th Century American Victorian Antique Secretaire Antique Furniture
Mahogany, Maple
18th Century and Earlier Austrian Antique Secretaire Antique Furniture
Walnut
18th Century English Chippendale Antique Secretaire Antique Furniture
Brass
19th Century English Other Antique Secretaire Antique Furniture
Brass
1820s Baltic Biedermeier Antique Secretaire Antique Furniture
Pewter
19th Century French Empire Antique Secretaire Antique Furniture
Marble, Brass
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaire Antique Furniture
Brass
1770s French Louis XV Antique Secretaire Antique Furniture
Kingwood
19th Century English Georgian Antique Secretaire Antique Furniture
Mahogany
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Antique Secretaire Antique Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
19th Century English Victorian Antique Secretaire Antique Furniture
Wood
19th Century Dutch Antique Secretaire Antique Furniture
Oak
19th Century Dutch Antique Secretaire Antique Furniture
Oak
19th Century French Charles X Antique Secretaire Antique Furniture
Marble
18th Century European Baroque Antique Secretaire Antique Furniture
Walnut
Mid-18th Century Swedish Baroque Antique Secretaire Antique Furniture
Bronze
1770s French Louis XV Antique Secretaire Antique Furniture
Kingwood, Satinwood, Walnut
19th Century Antique Secretaire Antique Furniture
Kingwood
19th Century French Antique Secretaire Antique Furniture
Brass
Mid-18th Century Swiss Baroque Antique Secretaire Antique Furniture
Oak, Yew
19th Century French Antique Secretaire Antique Furniture
Bronze
19th Century Hungarian Biedermeier Antique Secretaire Antique Furniture
Walnut, Burl
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Antique Secretaire Antique Furniture For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Antique Secretaire Antique Furniture?
Finding the Right secretaires for You
Your antique, new or vintage secretary desk has become the (chic) saving grace of the "new normal" at home.
Simply put, a secretary desk is a multifunctional piece of furniture with a hinged writing surface that folds open or drops down. When the leaf is folded out, small inner storage compartments — pigeonholes, cubbies, recesses or drawers — are revealed.
Traditionally, a secretary is composed of two parts — a chest of drawers on the bottom and a cabinet with shelves on the top. Taking its name from the French word for the piece, secrétaire, the secretary desk dates back to the 18th century, when Paris-based cabinetmaker Jean-François Oeben, known for his exquisite marquetry and clever mechanical desks, is thought to have invented the secrétaire à abbattant, or drop-leaf desk.
While the defining drop-down feature of the secretary desk has remained constant, the materials used, as well as its configuration, size and style have evolved over time.
At first, secretaries were typically made from exotic woods, like rosewood, tulipwood and kingwood; later, hardwoods like cherry, maple, oak and mahogany were more common. The desks also became lighter, with space carved out of the lower half for the writer’s feet or with drawers replaced by legs — making them more table-like.
When open, the secretary is a dynamic, versatile Wunderkammer. When closed, it’s a sophisticated, space-saving piece of furniture.
“A fine secretary with a good provenance adds stature and credence to its owner — it is a cornerstone piece,” says antiques dealer Stanley Weiss, who specializes in 18th- and 19th-century English and American furniture. “In this disposable world, fine furniture is always passed on and speaks to who its owner is.”
No matter what style or period you choose, and no matter how you decide to use it, the timeless, flexible secretary desk is bound to become an indispensable part of your daily routine.
Browse a range of antique and vintage secretary desks on 1stDibs, including mid-century modern secretaires, Georgian secretaires and others.
- What makes furniture an antique?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertAugust 15, 2019
A piece of furniture is considered an antique if it is at least 100 years old.
- Is antique furniture in style?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 22, 2024Yes, antique furniture is in style. Many people appreciate the beauty and handcrafted character of antique furniture and love the idea of owning pieces with a rich history. Remember that style preferences are nothing if not fluid, meaning what's in one year may not be the next. So, in choosing the furniture you're planning to live with, you should pay less attention to interior design fads than to what speaks to you. That way, you can select pieces that will add long-term character to your home. On 1stDibs, find a large collection of antique furniture.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2024To know if your furniture is antique, look for labels and markings that indicate the maker. From there, you can use trusted online resources to determine when they were active and examine images to try to estimate the age of your piece. Furniture produced 100 years ago or more is antique. You can also have your furniture assessed by an appraiser or antiques dealer to learn about its age. On 1stDibs, explore a large collection of antique furniture.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021Antique furniture can be worth quite a lot, particularly if it is in good quality. The rarer the piece, the higher the value.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021There are a number of factors that can indicate if your antique furniture is valuable. When determining the value of antique furniture, consider its rarity. Additionally, it is important to determine the quality and condition of vintage furniture. If unsure of the value of your vintage furniture, have it appraised.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 1, 2024To date antique furniture from the UK, first look for identifying markings on the piece. You can then use trusted online resources to determine when the maker was active. From there, you may be able to estimate the year of production by looking at images of other furniture the maker produced. An expert appraiser or antiques dealer can also aid you in the dating process. Find a large selection of antique furniture on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2024Whether antique furniture is making a comeback is a matter of opinion. Many people would argue that antique furniture never faded from fashion, as there have always been individuals who love the idea of owning pieces that have history. Some of the most popular styles for antique furniture include Art Deco, Arts and Crafts, Renaissance Revival, Elizabethan, Gothic Revival, Victorian and Chippendale. Find a large collection of antique furniture from some of the world's top dealers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 5, 2021The best finish for antique furniture is a matter of liking. But film finish is recommended by experts as it leaves a thick coat of film on the wood surface which protects wood from water and scratches. Shellac or varnish and water base are commonly used film finishes. Find an exquisite collection of antique, new and vintage furniture on 1stDibs
- PAGODA REDOctober 7, 2020
To determine the age of a Chinese furniture piece, look carefully at the joinery and finish. Natural expansion and contraction of the wood over time will cause a joint to protrude or retract, distorting a once-seamless fit. Antique lacquer finishes become crackled and worn over time. Areas of exposed wood, such as the underside of a table, the footrest of a chair, or the back of a cabinet should appear raw and dry compared to the finished surface. With use, the legs of tables and chairs become weathered near the bottom from precipitation and use.
- 1stDibs ExpertJanuary 25, 2019
The difference between vintage and antique furniture is that vintage furniture is at least 20 years old, while antiques must be at least 100 years old to be considered antique.
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