Empire Drop Front Desk
Antique 1810s Danish Empire Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century French Empire Secretaires
Brass
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Secretaires
Bronze
Antique 19th Century French Empire Desks
Ormolu
Antique 1810s French Empire Secretaires
Brass
Antique 1870s French Empire More Carpets
Mahogany
Antique Early 19th Century French Biedermeier Secretaires
Bronze
Antique Mid-19th Century Swedish Empire Buffets
Pine
Antique Late 19th Century Danish Empire Secretaires
Metal
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Secretaires
Marble, Ormolu
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Secretaires
Marble, Bronze
Antique 19th Century Swiss Empire Secretaires
Marble
Antique 19th Century French Empire Secretaires
Marble, Bronze
Vintage 1980s American Empire Secretaires
Brass
Antique Early 19th Century Danish Empire Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century American American Empire Secretaires
Mahogany, Glass
Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Secretaires
Leather, Fruitwood
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Antique Mid-19th Century English William IV Wardrobes and Armoires
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Antique 1890s Bookcases
Oak
Antique Early 19th Century English Georgian Secretaires
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Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Desks
Bronze, Ormolu
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Marble, Brass
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Chairs
Upholstery, Mahogany
Antique 19th Century French Empire Secretaires
Walnut
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Maple
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Cherry
Antique 19th Century French Empire Desks
Ormolu
Antique Early 19th Century French Biedermeier Secretaires
Antique Early 19th Century European Biedermeier Desks
Bronze
Antique Mid-19th Century French Empire Night Stands
Marble
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Secretaires
Bronze
Antique 1820s Danish Empire Secretaires
Mahogany, Satinwood, Walnut
Antique Mid-19th Century American Empire Secretaires
Metal
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Bronze
20th Century English Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Antique 16th Century Spanish Renaissance Furniture
Bone, Walnut
20th Century American Empire Desks
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century American American Empire Desks
Bronze
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Glass, Mahogany
Early 20th Century French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
Antique 19th Century American American Empire Desks and Writing Tables
Glass, Mahogany
Antique Early 19th Century Desks
Mahogany
Antique Mid-19th Century Secretaires
Brass
Antique 19th Century American American Empire Secretaires
Glass, Mahogany
Antique 1850s French Empire Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique 1820s Danish Empire Secretaires
Satinwood, Mother-of-Pearl, Mahogany
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Secretaires
Mahogany
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Glass, Mahogany
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Iron
Antique Early 19th Century Secretaires
Marble, Brass
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Oak
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Empire Drop Front Desk For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Empire Drop Front Desk?
Finding the Right Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets for You
Of all the antique and vintage case pieces and storage cabinets 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 storage 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. Whether you’re seeking a playful sideboard made of colored glass and metals, 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.
- 1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023A drop-front desk is usually called a secretary. Other names for this type of desk include writing cabinet, fall-front desk and secrétaire à abattant. The name secretary can be traced back to the 18th century when estate secretaries used the drop-front desks as workstations for paying bills and reconciling accounts. On 1stDibs, find a range of secretary desks.
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