Skip to main content

Empire Drop Front Desk

Empire Drop Front Desk, Kopenhagen, 1820
Empire Drop Front Desk, Kopenhagen, 1820

Empire Drop Front Desk, Kopenhagen, 1820

$12,000

H 68.9 in W 45.28 in D 23.82 in

Empire Drop Front Desk, Kopenhagen, 1820

Located in Belmont, MA

Empire drop front desk, Copenhagen 1810-20. This unique Danish secretary desk is embellished with

Category

Antique 1810s Danish Empire Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

French Empire Flame Mahogany Drop Front Secretaire Abattant Secretary Desk
French Empire Flame Mahogany Drop Front Secretaire Abattant Secretary Desk

French Empire Flame Mahogany Drop Front Secretaire Abattant Secretary Desk

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Antique French Empire Flame Mahogany Drop Front Secretaire Abattant Secretary Desk. Item features 2

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Unknown Empire Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

Early 19th Century French Empire Flame Mahogany Drop Front Secretary Desk
Early 19th Century French Empire Flame Mahogany Drop Front Secretary Desk

Early 19th Century French Empire Flame Mahogany Drop Front Secretary Desk

Located in Miami, FL

Classic antique Early 19th Century French Empire drop front secretary desk made with magnificent

Category

Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Secretaires

Materials

Bronze

French Empire Style 19th Century Walnut Chest with Drop Front Desk, Two Drawers
French Empire Style 19th Century Walnut Chest with Drop Front Desk, Two Drawers

French Empire Style 19th Century Walnut Chest with Drop Front Desk, Two Drawers

Located in Atlanta, GA

A French Empire style walnut chest from the 19th century with drop front desk and two additional

Category

Antique 19th Century French Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

19th Century Empire Drop-Front Oak Secretary Desk or Abattant, Chest France
19th Century Empire Drop-Front Oak Secretary Desk or Abattant, Chest France

19th Century Empire Drop-Front Oak Secretary Desk or Abattant, Chest France

Located in Miami, FL

Secretaire a abattant, France circa 1820, Biedermeier period. The outside with fall front and two

Category

Antique Early 19th Century French Biedermeier Secretaires

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Empire Drop-Front Oak Secretary Desk or Abattant, Chest France
19th Century Empire Drop-Front Oak Secretary Desk or Abattant, Chest France

19th Century Empire Drop-Front Oak Secretary Desk or Abattant, Chest France

Located in Miami, FL

Secretaire a abattant, France circa 1820, Biedermeier period. The outside with fall front and two

Category

Antique Early 19th Century French Biedermeier Secretaires

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Empire Drop-Front Oak Secretary Desk or Abattant, Chest France
19th Century Empire Drop-Front Oak Secretary Desk or Abattant, Chest France

19th Century Empire Drop-Front Oak Secretary Desk or Abattant, Chest France

Located in Miami, FL

Secretaire a abattant, France circa 1820, Biedermeier period. The outside with fall front and two

Category

Antique Early 19th Century French Biedermeier Secretaires

Materials

Bronze

Empire Secretaire, Walnut, Maple, Paw Feet, Austria circa 1815
Empire Secretaire, Walnut, Maple, Paw Feet, Austria circa 1815

Empire Secretaire, Walnut, Maple, Paw Feet, Austria circa 1815

Located in Regensburg, DE

Fine Early Biedermeier or late Empire Secretaire / Drop-Front /Secretary Desk from Austria around

Category

Antique 1820s Austrian Biedermeier Secretaires

Materials

Brass, Gold Leaf

Recent Sales

Unusual Small French Directoire or Empire Transition Desk
Unusual Small French Directoire or Empire Transition Desk

Unusual Small French Directoire or Empire Transition Desk

Unavailable

H 37.5 in W 19.88 in D 10.75 in

Unusual Small French Directoire or Empire Transition Desk

Located in New Orleans, LA

Unusual and small-scale French Directoire/Empire transition period mahogany drop front desk, with

Category

Antique Early 19th Century French Directoire Desks

Materials

Marble, Brass

French 19th Century Empire Drop Front Desk
French 19th Century Empire Drop Front Desk

French 19th Century Empire Drop Front Desk

Sold

H 37.25 in W 42.5 in D 21.25 in

French 19th Century Empire Drop Front Desk

Located in Baton Rouge, LA

This French 19th century solid walnut desk has many interesting features. The slant front folds

Category

Antique 19th Century French Empire Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

Classical Empire Tiger Maple Two-Tone Inlaid Drop Front Butlers Desk
Classical Empire Tiger Maple Two-Tone Inlaid Drop Front Butlers Desk

Classical Empire Tiger Maple Two-Tone Inlaid Drop Front Butlers Desk

Located in Big Flats, NY

Antique Classical Empire butler's desk feature two toned inlay tiger maple with drop front desk

Category

Antique 19th Century American American Empire Desks

Materials

Maple

Antique American Empire Neoclassical Mahogany Drop Front Abattant Desk C1840
Antique American Empire Neoclassical Mahogany Drop Front Abattant Desk C1840

Antique American Empire Neoclassical Mahogany Drop Front Abattant Desk C1840

Located in Big Flats, NY

Empire Neoclassical Mahogany Drop Front Abattant Desk Unsigned C1840. Measures - 55"H x 37.25"W x

Category

Antique 19th Century Neoclassical Desks

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century Empire Drop-Front Oak Secretary Desk or Abattant, Chest France
19th Century Empire Drop-Front Oak Secretary Desk or Abattant, Chest France

19th Century Empire Drop-Front Oak Secretary Desk or Abattant, Chest France

Located in Miami, FL

Secretaire a abattant, France circa 1820, Biedermeier period. The outside with fall front and three

Category

Antique Early 19th Century French Biedermeier Secretaires

Baker Furniture French Empire Burl Wood Secrétaire á Abattant With Brass Ormolu
Baker Furniture French Empire Burl Wood Secrétaire á Abattant With Brass Ormolu

Baker Furniture French Empire Burl Wood Secrétaire á Abattant With Brass Ormolu

By Baker Furniture Company

Located in South Bend, IN

An outstanding French Empire or Neoclassical style drop front secretary desk By Baker Furniture

Category

Vintage 1980s American Empire Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Empire Secretaire with Ink Painting, Ebonized, Maple, Brass, Vienna circa 1815
Empire Secretaire with Ink Painting, Ebonized, Maple, Brass, Vienna circa 1815

Empire Secretaire with Ink Painting, Ebonized, Maple, Brass, Vienna circa 1815

Located in Regensburg, DE

Fine neoclassical Empire or early Biedermeier Secretaire / Drop Front Desk from Vienna, Austria

Category

Antique 1810s Austrian Empire Secretaires

Materials

Brass, Iron, Gold Leaf

Baker Signature Empire Style Drop Front Desk / Secretary with Cabinet
Baker Signature Empire Style Drop Front Desk / Secretary with Cabinet

Baker Signature Empire Style Drop Front Desk / Secretary with Cabinet

By Baker Furniture Company

Located in Toledo, OH

American, mid-20th century, mahogany Empire style secretary by Baker Furniture. Gilt trim, applied

Category

20th Century American Empire Desks

Materials

Mahogany

Antique American Empire Flame Mahogany Bookcase Drop Front Secretary, circa 1840
Antique American Empire Flame Mahogany Bookcase Drop Front Secretary, circa 1840

Antique American Empire Flame Mahogany Bookcase Drop Front Secretary, circa 1840

Located in Big Flats, NY

An American Empire flame mahogany secretary features upper bookcase with double fretwork glass

Category

Antique 19th Century American American Empire Desks

Materials

Bronze

Antique Classical Flame Mahogany Empire Abattant, circa 1840
Antique Classical Flame Mahogany Empire Abattant, circa 1840

Antique Classical Flame Mahogany Empire Abattant, circa 1840

Located in Big Flats, NY

Antique Classical Empire abattant (drop front desk) features bookmatched flame mahogany, drop front

Category

Antique Early 19th Century Desks

Materials

Mahogany

Antique American Empire Flame Mahogany Carved Slant Front Secretary 19th Century
Antique American Empire Flame Mahogany Carved Slant Front Secretary 19th Century

Antique American Empire Flame Mahogany Carved Slant Front Secretary 19th Century

Located in Big Flats, NY

Antique American Empire slant drop front desk features flame mahogany with cared floral and foliate

Category

Antique 19th Century American American Empire Secretaires

Materials

Glass, Mahogany

A First Period Empire Bombay Shaped Drop Front Desk
A First Period Empire Bombay Shaped Drop Front Desk

A First Period Empire Bombay Shaped Drop Front Desk

Located in New York, NY

A first period bombay shaped Dutch Empire drop front desk with five lower drawers, a fitted

Category

Antique 19th Century Dutch Desks

Materials

Oak

19th Century French Empire Drop Front Secretary
19th Century French Empire Drop Front Secretary

19th Century French Empire Drop Front Secretary

Sold

H 55.5 in W 38.5 in D 19.5 in

19th Century French Empire Drop Front Secretary

Located in Fairhope, AL

A 19th century French Empire drop front secretary. Has a marble top and side columns with bronze

Category

Antique 19th Century French Empire Desks and Writing Tables

19th Century French Empire Drop Front Secretary with Marble Top
19th Century French Empire Drop Front Secretary with Marble Top

19th Century French Empire Drop Front Secretary with Marble Top

Located in Fairhope, AL

French Empire style mahogany secretary with marble top has three lower drawers which are lockable

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Desks

People Also Browsed

Pair of Murano Glass Wall Sconces, Art Deco Style, in Stock
Pair of Murano Glass Wall Sconces, Art Deco Style, in Stock

Pair of Murano Glass Wall Sconces, Art Deco Style, in Stock

$2,800 / set

H 17.5 in W 10.5 in D 6.5 in

Pair of Murano Glass Wall Sconces, Art Deco Style, in Stock

Located in Miami, FL

Pair of Murano glass wall sconces, in stock Fume color and horizontal striation texture Black opaline finials and brass accents Art Deco inspired design. Gives off warm beams of lig...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Deco Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Brass

Classic Empire Center Table, Oatmeal
Classic Empire Center Table, Oatmeal

Classic Empire Center Table, Oatmeal

$2,820 / item

H 30 in W 42 in D 42 in

Classic Empire Center Table, Oatmeal

Located in Westwood, NJ

A Classic Empire style grey cerused oak oatmeal stained center table with a carved ogee edge, raised on an octagonal pedestal base. Dimensions: 42" W x 42" D x 30" H.

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Empire Center Tables

Materials

Wood

Biedermeier Mahogany Secretary Desk, circa 1860, after Renovation
Biedermeier Mahogany Secretary Desk, circa 1860, after Renovation

Biedermeier Mahogany Secretary Desk, circa 1860, after Renovation

$2,913Sale Price|20% Off

H 63 in W 41.74 in D 21.26 in

Biedermeier Mahogany Secretary Desk, circa 1860, after Renovation

Located in Opole, PL

We present you another incredible piece of furniture in our collection -- this elegant and highly exquisite Biedermeier secretary desk circa 1860. The secretary desk was manufactu...

Category

Antique 1860s Scandinavian Biedermeier Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

Biedermeier Antique Secretary Circa 1840 Veneered With Mahogany
Biedermeier Antique Secretary Circa 1840 Veneered With Mahogany

Biedermeier Antique Secretary Circa 1840 Veneered With Mahogany

$7,330Sale Price|20% Off

H 67.13 in W 42.13 in D 22.64 in

Biedermeier Antique Secretary Circa 1840 Veneered With Mahogany

Located in Opole, PL

Biedermeier Antique Secretary Circa 1840 Veneered With Mahogany Furniture in the Biedermeier style, made of soft wood veneered with mahogany, dated around 1840. The monumental shape...

Category

Antique 1840s German Biedermeier Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

Antique Genuine Swedish Rustic Original Blue Writing Desk Table with Drawers
Antique Genuine Swedish Rustic Original Blue Writing Desk Table with Drawers

Antique Genuine Swedish Rustic Original Blue Writing Desk Table with Drawers

Located in Kramfors, SE

Antique genuine pine writing desk from Sweden with blue paint. The table is in untouched original condition with the original blue toned paint. Dated 1850 and monogrammed in black. T...

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Swedish Country Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Pine

The Howard, Custom Made Belgian Linen Armchair
The Howard, Custom Made Belgian Linen Armchair

The Howard, Custom Made Belgian Linen Armchair

$4,933 / item

H 35.44 in W 35.44 in D 31.5 in

The Howard, Custom Made Belgian Linen Armchair

Located in Jesteburg, DE

Introducing the home collection. A small selection of timeless Flemish designs made by hand for us in a small third generation workshop in Belgium. Has been used by many influent...

Category

2010s Belgian Modern Club Chairs

Materials

Linen

19th Century American Walnut "Wells Fargo" Desk by Wooton Desk. Co
19th Century American Walnut "Wells Fargo" Desk by Wooton Desk. Co

19th Century American Walnut "Wells Fargo" Desk by Wooton Desk. Co

Located in Chelmsford, Essex

For sale is a good quality and impressive standard grade American walnut Wootton Desk Co. "Wells Fargo" desk, of substantial form, with three quarter gallery and hinged frieze, havin...

Category

Antique 19th Century American High Victorian Desks

Materials

Walnut

Exquisite ebonised secretary desk from the 19th century
Exquisite ebonised secretary desk from the 19th century

Exquisite ebonised secretary desk from the 19th century

$4,621

H 51.58 in W 39.38 in D 17.33 in

Exquisite ebonised secretary desk from the 19th century

Located in Stahnsdorf, DE

We are honoured to present an exquisite ebonised secretary desk from the 19th century, hailing from Sweden and exemplifying the elegance of the Biedermeier style. This piece has been...

Category

Antique 1820s Swedish Biedermeier Secretaires

Materials

Softwood

French 19th Century Pine Faux Bamboo Side Table with Marble Top, Door and Drawer
French 19th Century Pine Faux Bamboo Side Table with Marble Top, Door and Drawer

French 19th Century Pine Faux Bamboo Side Table with Marble Top, Door and Drawer

Located in Atlanta, GA

A French faux bamboo pine side table from the 19th century with white marble top, single drawer as well as door and lower shelf. Immerse yourself in the quaint charm of this 19th-cen...

Category

Antique 19th Century French Rustic Side Tables

Materials

Marble

French 19th Century Mahogany Empire Buffet
French 19th Century Mahogany Empire Buffet

French 19th Century Mahogany Empire Buffet

$4,995

H 39.5 in W 63.88 in D 24.25 in

French 19th Century Mahogany Empire Buffet

Located in Baton Rouge, LA

A French Empire (19th century) buffet made of rich flamed, bookmatched mahogany. The original Saint Anne marble top of charcoal stone with gray and white veining is removable. Below ...

Category

Antique 19th Century French Empire Buffets

Materials

Marble, Brass

French 19th Century Empire Style Commode
French 19th Century Empire Style Commode

French 19th Century Empire Style Commode

$3,795

H 35 in W 50.5 in D 23 in

French 19th Century Empire Style Commode

Located in Baton Rouge, LA

A French 19th century marble-top commode made of book-matched burl mahogany accented with Empire style ormolu. The commode’s top is a slab of Saint Anne marble that gently curves alo...

Category

Antique 19th Century French Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble, Brass

French Inspired Upholstered Linen Bergère Chairs
French Inspired Upholstered Linen Bergère Chairs

French Inspired Upholstered Linen Bergère Chairs

$3,600 / item

H 37 in W 32 in D 34 in

French Inspired Upholstered Linen Bergère Chairs

Located in Old Town Orange, CA

French inspired upholstered linen bergère chairs These French inspired chair are based on an original Napoleon III style pair of chairs. Napoleon III was the nephew of the Napoleon t...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Bergere Chairs

Materials

Linen

Bespoke Handmade Belgian Linen Sofa
Bespoke Handmade Belgian Linen Sofa

Bespoke Handmade Belgian Linen Sofa

$9,985 / item

H 31.5 in W 106.3 in D 39.38 in

Bespoke Handmade Belgian Linen Sofa

Located in Jesteburg, DE

Introducing the home collection.  An iconic, unobtrusive design. A small selection of timeless Flemish designs made by hand for us in a small third generation workshop in Belgium....

Category

2010s Belgian Modern Sofas

Materials

Linen

Eight Foot Tall Mid-19th Century French Regency Style Giltwood Floor Mirror
Eight Foot Tall Mid-19th Century French Regency Style Giltwood Floor Mirror

Eight Foot Tall Mid-19th Century French Regency Style Giltwood Floor Mirror

Located in Fayetteville, AR

Found in a chateau in the Loire Valley, this nineteenth century French Regency style gilt wood mirror stands at an impressive eight feet in height. Its beveled glass is surrounded by...

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Regency Floor Mirrors and Full-Length Mi...

Materials

Mirror, Giltwood

Early 19th Century American Mahogany Butler's Desk/Secretary Chest
Early 19th Century American Mahogany Butler's Desk/Secretary Chest

Early 19th Century American Mahogany Butler's Desk/Secretary Chest

Located in Louisville, KY

Imagine where this gorgeous piece might have been in its past life. Perhaps stately mansions with warm block panel, high ceilings and crown molding for days. The wealthy would have h...

Category

Antique Early 19th Century American American Empire Commodes and Chests ...

Materials

Brass

A George I Style Burl Walnut Secretary Desk, England
A George I Style Burl Walnut Secretary Desk, England

A George I Style Burl Walnut Secretary Desk, England

Located in Lambertville, NJ

A beautifully detailed and well appointed Georgian style secretary desk, made in England. The dovetailed drawers with brass hardware with a leather fall front section above the draw...

Category

20th Century English George I Secretaires

Materials

Leather, Walnut

Get Updated with New Arrivals
Save "Empire Drop Front Desk", and we’ll notify you when there are new listings in this category.

Empire Drop Front Desk For Sale on 1stDibs

Choose from an assortment of styles, material and more with respect to the empire drop front desk you’re looking for at 1stDibs. Each empire drop front desk for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using wood, metal and mahogany. You’ve searched high and low for the perfect empire drop front desk — we have versions that date back to the 18th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 19th Century are available. Each empire drop front desk bearing Empire hallmarks is very popular.

How Much is a Empire Drop Front Desk?

An empire drop front desk can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price 1stDibs is $6,750, while the lowest priced sells for $1,895 and the highest can go for as much as $31,300.

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.

Questions About Empire Drop Front Desk
  • 1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023
    A 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.

Read More

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

Simple or sophisticated, equipped with console, cart or custom cabinetry, these stylish bar areas deserve a toast.

The Ultimate Guide to Types of Tables for the Home

Whether you’re just moving in or ready to give your home a makeover, our guide will give you pointers on tables that are fitting for every room, nook and hallway.

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

The furniture equivalent of a Swiss Army knife, it's the multifunctional piece you didn't know you needed.

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

Italian studio DimoreMilano mustered great ingenuity when crafting these sculptural shelves, which are built without any screws.

Ask an Interior Designer: Work-from-Home Edition

Leaping into a design project, whether it's refreshing the bedroom or redoing the whole house, can be overwhelming. Luckily, we know more than a few interior designers. You asked questions on Instagram, and now they're answering.

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

Introduced nearly 500 years ago, curiosity cabinets are finding new fans among today's collectors and designers.

Meet the Incredible Woman Transforming Fallen Trees into Sleek Furniture

In the hands of New York Heartwoods cofounder Megan Offner, unwanted local trees become works of design art.

These New York Architects Love a Complicated Project

From Brooklyn townhouses to Maine campgrounds, Trattie Davies and Jonathan Toews relish a challenge, like transforming a former warehouse space into the new 1stdibs Gallery.