Art Moderne Secretary
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Art Moderne Secretary For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Art Moderne Secretary?
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.
- 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 25, 2019
Modern art is characterized by a rejection of realism and narrative and a trend toward abstraction.
- Who is the father of modern art?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertSeptember 25, 2019
Paul Cézanne is often cited as the father of modern art.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 26, 2024The difference between modern art and contemporary art comes down to age. Contemporary art refers to art produced by artists who are still alive or were active during the 1960s and later. Modern art is the term for artworks made between 1850 or 1860 and 1960. On 1stDibs, shop a large collection of modern and contemporary art.
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- Did Picasso found modern art?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertSeptember 25, 2019
No, Picasso was not a founder of modern art, but he is one of its most famous practitioners.
- 1stDibs ExpertMay 3, 2024The father of modern Indian art is generally thought to be Raja Ravi Varma. Active during the late 18th and early 19th centuries, he was the first Indian artist widely known for producing paintings that depicted Indian subjects using the techniques of the European masters. Some of his most famous works include Bhishma on a Bed of Arrows, Bharat Mata, Jatayu Vadham and Lady in the Moonlight. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of Indian art.
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