Question 1

Why are secretary desks called that?

Accepted Answer

A secretary desk is called by its name because of its original function. When the desks first emerged in 19th-century France, the secretaries of estates used them to conduct business. Once they finished paying bills and reconciling accounts, they could raise the hinged writing surface and close the desk. Secretary desks are the workstations of choice in many busy households, especially those with spaces pulling double duty as offices by day and living rooms, dining rooms or bedrooms at night. On 1stDibs, shop an array of secretary desks.

Question 2

What era are secretary desks from?

Accepted Answer

Secretary desks originated in the early 18th century. They were typically used by secretaries and clerks and featured plenty of compacted drawers for stationary storage. On 1stDibs, find a collection of secretary desks from some of the world’s top sellers.

Question 3

How does a secretary desk work?

Accepted Answer

A secretary desk works with the help of hinges that secure the writing surface to the rest of the piece. To use one, you simply pull down on the wooden door to open the hinge and lower the writing surface. Return the desk to its closed position by lifting the writing surface up. You'll find a selection of secretary desks on 1stDibs.

Question 4

Were there safes in the 1800s?

Accepted Answer

Yes, there were safes in the 1800s. Historical records indicate that by 1820, some companies used safes to protect goods from fire. Following market campaigns in the 1840s, more companies and individuals began to purchase safes as an anti-theft measure. Shop a variety of safes on 1stDibs.

Question 5

What are miniatures from the 1800s?

Accepted Answer

In the 1800s, miniatures were small portraits. People commissioned them to give as gifts to their loved ones to carry with them. In this way, miniatures were similar to modern wallet photographs. On 1stDibs, find a range of miniature portraits.

Question 6

How do you identify 1800s furniture?

Accepted Answer

To identify 1800s furniture, first check to see if your piece bears any maker's marks. Should you locate any, researching them using trusted online resources can help you determine the maker and age of your furniture. To determine if unmarked pieces date back to the 19th century, look for tool marks and variations in their carvings and ornamentation. Since 19th-century furniture was handmade, you should expect to find these signs of hand craftsmanship. A piece that shows no marks or inconsistencies in details is likely a contemporary machine-made reproduction. Familiarizing yourself with the characteristics of Rococo, Chippendale, Gothic Revival, neoclassical and other 19th-century styles can also be helpful. If you struggle to make an identification, consider consulting a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer. On 1stDibs, find a range of 19th-century furniture.

Question 7

What jewelry was popular in the 1800s?

Accepted Answer

During the 1800s, necklaces, earrings, brooches and hair accessories were popular jewelry pieces in styles ranging from Georgian with enamel details to Victorian with floral flourishes. The commonly used gemstones of the 19th century included diamonds, emeralds, rubies, sapphires, garnets and amethysts. Gold was the dominant metal for jewelry, but silver became sought-after during the 1880s and 1890s. Explore an assortment of antique jewelry on 1stDibs.

Question 8

What were safes made from in the 1800s?

Accepted Answer

In the 1800s, safes were usually made of metal like tin plating or sheet iron. Fireproofing the safes proved difficult, and during the 1820s, specific mixtures of materials such as mica, potash lye and alum were used to line a safe’s interior in order to prevent its contents from succumbing to fire damage. Shop a collection of safes on 1stDibs.

Question 9

Did they have pocket watches in the 1800s?

Accepted Answer

Yes, pocket watches peaked in popularity in the 1800s. The first pocket watch was created in Germany in 1510, but was originally too large for a pocket. In the 1600s, the design began to get more compact, but for a long time pocket watches were a rarity and a symbol of wealth. Shop an array of antique pocket watches on 1stDibs.

Question 10

What were nightstands called in the 1800s?

Accepted Answer

In the 1800s, nightstands were often called commodes. Prior to the advent of indoor plumbing, early nightstands contained a porcelain chamber pot in a cabinet that provided a convenient and private alternative to visiting the outhouse. Today, antique, new and vintage nightstands, which are pieces of bedroom furniture that are often called bedside tables, are typically low-profile tables that are positioned alongside one’s bed or elsewhere in a bedroom. Shop a selection of nightstands on 1stDibs.

Question 11

What is 1800s art called?

Accepted Answer

What 1800s art is called depends on its age and style, as the century saw multiple movements. Most art historians refer to art that broke from traditional norms, produced in the 1860s and later, as modern art, and everything that preceded it as pre-modern art. Some of the art styles that were popular during the 19th century include Impressionism, Realism, Romanticism, Neoclassicism, Expressionism and Fauvism. Shop a wide range of 19th-century art on 1stDibs.

Question 12

How much is my antique secretary desk worth?

Accepted Answer

An antique secretary desk will range in value depending on its authenticity and condition. The price can range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. On 1stDibs find the antique secretary desk you’re looking for today.

Question 13

What did wedding rings look like in the 1800s?

Accepted Answer

What wedding rings looked like in the 1800s was similar to other Victorian jewelry. The Victorian era spanned from 1837 to 1901, coinciding with the reign of Queen Victoria in the United Kingdom. At the beginning of this period, rings were made of gold and affordable only to the wealthy. Designs for Victorian-era rings often featured repoussé work and chasing, in which patterns are hammered into the metal. Some featured stones secured by collets, settings similar to bezels, with prongs and a closed back. On 1stDibs, find a selection of Victorian wedding rings.

Question 14

Why would the artist George Catlin’s paintings from the 1800s be considered a form of artistic documentation?

Accepted Answer

The artist George Catlin's paintings from the 1800s are considered a form of artistic documentation because he depicted what he saw during his travels across North America. Catlin produced many images of Native Americans living their daily lives. In so doing, he provided a glimpse of what life was like for Indigenous people before the rapid westward expansion of settlers forcibly disrupted their traditions and culture. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of George Catlin art.

1800s Secretary Desk

Mid-20th Century American American Classical Desks and Writing Tables

Antique Early 19th Century American Federal Desks

Antique Mid-19th Century American Victorian Secretaires

Antique Early 19th Century European Secretaires

Recent Sales

Antique 19th Century European Gothic Revival Desks and Writing Tables

Antique 1820s English Chinese Chippendale Secretaires

Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires

Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Country Secretaires

Antique Late 18th Century French Louis Philippe Commodes and Chests of D...

Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Secretaires

Antique Mid-19th Century Dutch Louis XVI Secretaires

People Also Browsed

2010s Slipper Chairs

Vintage 1960s American Hollywood Regency Secretaires

21st Century and Contemporary Swedish Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

21st Century and Contemporary American Sofas

Antique 1880s Desks

Antique 19th Century American High Victorian Beds and Bed Frames

Late 20th Century American Georgian Desks

Antique 19th Century English Victorian Bookcases

Antique 18th Century English George III Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Antique 19th Century French Louis Philippe Secretaires

Antique 1840s Swedish Rustic Sideboards

Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Secretaires

Antique 19th Century English Victorian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Antique Late 19th Century Bookcases

2010s Italian Other Wall Mirrors

1800s Secretary Desk For Sale on 1stDibs

How Much is a 1800s Secretary Desk?

Finding the Right Case Pieces And Storage Cabinets for You

Read More

37 Cheerful Home Bars, Where Everybody (Literally) Knows Your Name

The Ultimate Guide to Types of Tables for the Home

What Exactly Is a Secretary Desk, and What Is It Used For?

This Shelving System with Oxidized Brass Tubes Is Retro and Futuristic at Once

Ask an Interior Designer: Work-from-Home Edition

Collected and Eclectic, ‘Wunderkammern’ Are Back in a Big Way

Meet the Incredible Woman Transforming Fallen Trees into Sleek Furniture

These New York Architects Love a Complicated Project

More Ways To Browse