French Secretary Desk
Antique 1770s French Louis XVI Secretaires
Kingwood, Satinwood
Antique Early 19th Century French Louis XVI Secretaires
Brass
Mid-20th Century American French Provincial Secretaires
Paint
Antique 1750s French Louis XV Secretaires
Kingwood
Antique 1890s French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary French Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Wood, Ash, Lacquer
Mid-20th Century French Belle Époque Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Oak
Mid-20th Century French Belle Époque Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Vintage 1930s Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
Vintage 1970s American French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
Antique 1890s French Louis XIII Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
20th Century French Empire Desks
Bronze, Ormolu
Antique 18th Century French Louis XV Desks
Bronze
Antique 1880s French Renaissance Revival Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Antique 1890s French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Antique 19th Century French Desks and Writing Tables
Ormolu
Antique 1880s French Desks
Wood
Antique 1780s French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Kingwood, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary French Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writi...
Wood, Ash, Lacquer
2010s French Directoire Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Wood, Cherry, Lacquer
Vintage 1920s French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Vintage 1920s French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Mid-20th Century French French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
Antique Late 19th Century French French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Antique Early 1900s French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Ormolu
Antique Early 1900s French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Bronze
Antique 19th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Bronze, Ormolu
Antique 19th Century French Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Antique Early 19th Century French Louis XVI Desks
Brass
20th Century French Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Vintage 1960s American French Provincial Desks
Brass
Antique Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Desks
Marble
Antique 19th Century French Desks and Writing Tables
Slate, Tin, Iron
Vintage 1970s American French Provincial Desks
Brass
Vintage 1940s Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Wood
Antique 1860s French Louis Philippe Desks and Writing Tables
Wood, Walnut
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XIV Desks
Brass, Bronze
Antique 19th Century Louis XV Inkwells
Glass, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary French Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writi...
Ash, Wood, Lacquer
Antique 19th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Marble, Ormolu
Antique 19th Century French Louis Philippe Desks and Writing Tables
Ormolu
Antique 19th Century Louis XV Inkwells
Glass, Walnut
20th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Ormolu
Antique 19th Century French Victorian Desks
Velvet, Hardwood, Paint, Ribbon
Antique Late 18th Century French Desks
Wood
Antique 19th Century French Other Desks and Writing Tables
Wood, Oak
Antique 19th Century French Directoire Desks
Marble, Brass
Antique 1750s French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Iron
Early 20th Century French Desks
Brass
Antique Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Desks
Mahogany
Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Desks
Mahogany
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Desks
Rosewood
Antique 19th Century French Desks
Brass
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Desks
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese French Provincial Secretaires
Wood
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Desks
Chrome
Antique 1810s French Empire Secretaires
Marble
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French Secretary Desk For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a French Secretary Desk?
Finding the Right Case Pieces And Storage Cabinets for You
Of all the vintage storage cabinets and antique case pieces 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 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. Alternatively, apothecary cabinets are charming case goods similar in size to early dressers or commodes but with uniquely sized shelving and (often numerous) drawers.
Whether you’re seeking a playful sideboard that features colored glass and metal details, 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 ExpertApril 5, 2022Secretary 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.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023A 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.
- How does a secretary desk work?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A 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.
- 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 28, 2021An 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.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 3, 2023In French, the term for a writing desk that often featured a drop-down writing surface is secretaire. This type of desk is called a secretary desk in English. 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, which are called pigeonholes, cubbies, recesses or drawers, are revealed. On 1stDibs, shop antique secretary desks from some of the world's top sellers.
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