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Empire Secretary Desk

French Empire Secretary Desk, 1810-20
French Empire Secretary Desk, 1810-20

French Empire Secretary Desk, 1810-20

Located in Leimen, DE

French Empire Secretary Desk, 19th Century – Mahogany Veneer, Marble Top, Bronze Details This stunning 19th-century French Empire secretary desk is a true statement piece, showcasin...

Category

Antique 1810s French Empire Secretaires

Materials

Marble

Elegant Mahogany Empire Secretary Desk with Satinwood Intarsia
Elegant Mahogany Empire Secretary Desk with Satinwood Intarsia

Elegant Mahogany Empire Secretary Desk with Satinwood Intarsia

Located in Kastrup, DK

This small charming Empire secretary desk, crafted in Copenhagen around 1810, consists of three sections.

Category

Antique Early 19th Century Danish Empire Secretaires

Materials

Bone, Leather, Mahogany, Maple, Satinwood

Antique Quervelle American Empire Flame Mahogany Secretary Desk c1840
Antique Quervelle American Empire Flame Mahogany Secretary Desk c1840

Antique Quervelle American Empire Flame Mahogany Secretary Desk c1840

Located in Big Flats, NY

An antique American Empire secretary desk, attributed to Quervelle, crafted from flame mahogany and dating to approximately 1840.

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

Vintage Empire Drop Front Secretary Desk
Vintage Empire Drop Front Secretary Desk

Vintage Empire Drop Front Secretary Desk

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

This magnificent Empire-style secretary desk is a masterclass in 19th-century cabinetmaking, featuring spectacular book-matched flame mahogany veneers that create a mesmerizing, symm...

Category

Antique 19th Century American Empire Desks

Materials

Brass

Italian Empire Revival Secretary Desk with Marble Top, 1940s
Italian Empire Revival Secretary Desk with Marble Top, 1940s

Italian Empire Revival Secretary Desk with Marble Top, 1940s

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Tall cabinet with fitted drawers, writing surface, and grey marble top. Rich mahogany finish accented by Empire-style columns and gilt mounts

Category

Vintage 1940s Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Antique Quervelle School American Empire Carved Flame Mahogany Secretary c1840
Antique Quervelle School American Empire Carved Flame Mahogany Secretary c1840

Antique Quervelle School American Empire Carved Flame Mahogany Secretary c1840

Located in Big Flats, NY

***Reduced In-House Delivery Rates - Click on “Ask Seller” to Request a Quote*** Antique Quervelle School American Empire Carved Flame Mahogany Secretary Desk C1840.

Category

Antique 19th Century American Empire Desks

Materials

Mahogany

Unique Austrian Empire Secretary/Writing Desk, Mahogany, 1820s Austria
Unique Austrian Empire Secretary/Writing Desk, Mahogany, 1820s Austria

Unique Austrian Empire Secretary/Writing Desk, Mahogany, 1820s Austria

Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj

Empire secretary or writing desk, (Cylinder) Material: Mahogany.

Category

Antique 1820s Austrian Empire Secretaires

Materials

Wood, Mahogany, Lacquer

Early 19th Century Empire Mahogany Secretary Desk, circa 1810
Early 19th Century Empire Mahogany Secretary Desk, circa 1810

Early 19th Century Empire Mahogany Secretary Desk, circa 1810

Located in Stahnsdorf, DE

Early 19th Century Empire Mahogany Secretary Desk, circa 1810 An exceptional and rare Empire period secrétaire, crafted circa 1810, beautifully veneered in richly figured mahogany a...

Category

Antique 1810s German Empire Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Antique Empire Classical Flame Mahogany Secretary Desk c1840
Antique Empire Classical Flame Mahogany Secretary Desk c1840

Antique Empire Classical Flame Mahogany Secretary Desk c1840

Located in Big Flats, NY

Antique Empire Classical Flame Mahogany Secretary with Blind Door Upper, Drop Down Desk and Graduated Drawers C1840 Measures - 69 3/4" x 40 1/2" x 23 3/8"

Category

Antique Early 19th Century Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

Antique Swedish Country Secretary Desk, Empire Period with Original Faux Paint
Antique Swedish Country Secretary Desk, Empire Period with Original Faux Paint

Antique Swedish Country Secretary Desk, Empire Period with Original Faux Paint

Located in Kramfors, SE

Swedish antique country secretary desk from the empire period. Made in northern Sweden around 1840 with original untouched faux paint, an 19th century painter’s free interpretation o...

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Swedish Empire Secretaires

Materials

Pine

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 high quality flame mahogany adorned with bronze doré mounts and its original gray mar...

Category

Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Secretaires

Materials

Bronze

19th Century French Empire Abattant Secretary Desk in Flame Mahogany Drop Down
19th Century French Empire Abattant Secretary Desk in Flame Mahogany Drop Down

19th Century French Empire Abattant Secretary Desk in Flame Mahogany Drop Down

Located in Atlanta, GA

This French Empire Abattant Secretary Desk from the late 19th century is a striking piece of furniture, crafted from flame mahogany.

Category

Antique 1890s Empire Secretaires

Materials

Wood, Mahogany

Italian Empire Neoclassical Walnut and Parcel-Gilt Secretary
Italian Empire Neoclassical Walnut and Parcel-Gilt Secretary

Italian Empire Neoclassical Walnut and Parcel-Gilt Secretary

Located in New York, NY

Italian Empire neoclassical walnut and parcel-gilt secretary Handsome masculine Empire campaign desk on stand with pivoting dressing mirror below balustraded cornice with ball finial...

Category

Antique Early 19th Century Italian Empire Secretaires

Materials

Walnut, Mirror, Giltwood

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 drawers flanked by two ebonized columns shows a beautiful oak veneer design. The woo...

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 drawers flanked by two ebonized columns shows a beautiful oak veneer design. The woo...

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 drawers flanked by two ebonized columns shows a beautiful oak veneer design. The woo...

Category

Antique Early 19th Century French Biedermeier Secretaires

Materials

Bronze

Abattant Secretary Desk began 20th-century Portuguese Style
Abattant Secretary Desk began 20th-century Portuguese Style

Abattant Secretary Desk began 20th-century Portuguese Style

Located in Madrid, ES

Abattant Secretary Desk 20th-century Portuguese style, made of mahogany root wood. Top section with two drawers, with a leather-covered flip-top, interior with a central door, four...

Category

Early 20th Century Portuguese Empire Cabinets

Materials

Wood

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 drawers flanked by two ebonized columns shows a beautiful oak veneer design. The woo...

Category

Antique Early 19th Century French Biedermeier Secretaires

Materials

Bronze

Empire style secretary desk in flamed mahogany in the style of Aldo Tura work
Empire style secretary desk in flamed mahogany in the style of Aldo Tura work

Empire style secretary desk in flamed mahogany in the style of Aldo Tura work

By Aldo Tura

Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France

Empire style secretary desk in flamed mahogany and bronze locks.

Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Neoclassical Secretaires

Materials

Bronze

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

Abattant Secretary Desk 20th-century Portuguese style, made of Mahogany Root
Abattant Secretary Desk 20th-century Portuguese style, made of Mahogany Root

Abattant Secretary Desk 20th-century Portuguese style, made of Mahogany Root

Located in Madrid, ES

Abattant Secretary Desk 20th-century Portuguese style, made of mahogany root wood. Top section with two drawers, with a leather-covered flip-top, interior with a central door, four...

Category

Early 20th Century Portuguese Empire Cabinets

Materials

Wood

À battant” secretary desk Jean Nicolas Adriaansen Antwerp ca. 1825/30
À battant” secretary desk Jean Nicolas Adriaansen Antwerp ca. 1825/30

À battant” secretary desk Jean Nicolas Adriaansen Antwerp ca. 1825/30

Located in Münster, DE

“À battant” secretary desk, Jean Nicolas Adriaansen, Antwerp, ca. 1825/30 Mahogany, solid and veneered, symmetrically designed body with full columns and bronze capitals, top draw...

Category

Antique 1820s French Empire Secretaires

Materials

Marble, 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 1815-20.

Category

Antique 1820s Austrian Biedermeier Secretaires

Materials

Brass, Gold Leaf

Recent Sales

19th Century French Empire Secretary
19th Century French Empire Secretary

19th Century French Empire Secretary

Unavailable

H 53 in W 37.5 in D 19.5 in

19th Century French Empire Secretary

Located in Washington, DC

French Empire secretary in cherry with architectural interior and ebonized columns with bronze doré fittings.

Category

Antique Early 19th Century English Regency Desks

English Style Secretary Made of Walnut and with Secret Compartments
English Style Secretary Made of Walnut and with Secret Compartments

English Style Secretary Made of Walnut and with Secret Compartments

Located in Senden, NRW

Wonderful secretary in English style made out of walnut veneer which features a large drawer under the tabletop. The top contains two cabinet doors at the side, two small drawers in ...

Category

20th Century German Empire Desks

Materials

Walnut

Neoclassical Mahogany Pedestal Base Secretary or Desk by Stephen Smith, Boston
Neoclassical Mahogany Pedestal Base Secretary or Desk by Stephen Smith, Boston

Neoclassical Mahogany Pedestal Base Secretary or Desk by Stephen Smith, Boston

By Stephen Smith

Located in Andover, MA

This unique mahogany pedestal base secretary or desk was described in an ad by Smith as “bank and counting room furniture” and is a rare example of the Boston Empire style.

Category

Antique 1830s American American Empire Secretaires

Materials

Ash, Baize, Mahogany, Poplar

Antique Biedermeier Secretary Desk, Germany 1820
Antique Biedermeier Secretary Desk, Germany 1820

Antique Biedermeier Secretary Desk, Germany 1820

Sold

H 75.2 in W 38.98 in D 17.72 in

Antique Biedermeier Secretary Desk, Germany 1820

Located in Leimen, DE

Antique Biedermeier Secretary Desk, Germany circa 1810–1820 – Walnut Veneer, Brass Details, Shellac Finish This elegant early 19th-century Empire-Biedermeier secretary desk was craf...

Category

Antique 1810s German Biedermeier Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

Antique Mahogany American Empire Colonial Small Secretary Writing Desk Table
Antique Mahogany American Empire Colonial Small Secretary Writing Desk Table

Antique Mahogany American Empire Colonial Small Secretary Writing Desk Table

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Antique Mahogany American Empire Colonial Small Secretary Writing Desk Table.

Category

Antique 19th Century Empire Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Super Rare 19th Century Transforming Ladies Desk, Empire Secretary, Mahogany
Super Rare 19th Century Transforming Ladies Desk, Empire Secretary, Mahogany

Super Rare 19th Century Transforming Ladies Desk, Empire Secretary, Mahogany

Located in Greven, DE

Convertible antique writing desk France Mahogany Empire, 19th century Dimensions: H x W x D: 84 x 52 x 56 cm.

Category

Antique 19th Century French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Antique American Empire Carved Flame Mahogany Secretary, Bookcase & Desk, C1840
Antique American Empire Carved Flame Mahogany Secretary, Bookcase & Desk, C1840

Antique American Empire Carved Flame Mahogany Secretary, Bookcase & Desk, C1840

Located in Big Flats, NY

***Ask About Reduced In-House Delivery Rates - Reliable Professional Service & Fully Insured*** Antique American Empire Flame Mahogany Secretary with Upper Bookcase with Double Glass...

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century American Empire Desks

Materials

Mahogany

Antique Classical American Empire Carved Flame Mahogany Secretary Desk c1850
Antique Classical American Empire Carved Flame Mahogany Secretary Desk c1850

Antique Classical American Empire Carved Flame Mahogany Secretary Desk c1850

Located in Big Flats, NY

An antique Classical Greco American Empire secretary offers flame mahogany construction with upper having bookcase with double glass doors each with carved scrolled foliate filigree ...

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century American American Empire Desks

Materials

Mahogany

Italian Empire Revival Circular Desk
Italian Empire Revival Circular Desk

Italian Empire Revival Circular Desk

Located in Astoria, NY

Northern Italian Empire Revival circular correspondence or secretary's desk with diminutive kneehole framed by giltwood colonnettes, the exterior with bookshelves, in warm burled bir...

Category

20th Century Empire Revival Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Birch, Burl

Antique American Empire Classical Flame Mahogany Secretary, c1840
Antique American Empire Classical Flame Mahogany Secretary, c1840

Antique American Empire Classical Flame Mahogany Secretary, c1840

Located in Big Flats, NY

An antique American Empire secretary offers flame mahogany construction with upper bookcase having mullioned glass doors (patterning reminiscent of Fran Lloyd Wright) opening to shel...

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century American American Empire Desks

Materials

Mahogany, Glass

Antique Flame Mahogany Slant Front Secretary Desk with Bookcase, circa 1850s
Antique Flame Mahogany Slant Front Secretary Desk with Bookcase, circa 1850s

Antique Flame Mahogany Slant Front Secretary Desk with Bookcase, circa 1850s

Located in South Bend, IN

A stunning antique flame mahogany slant front secretary desk with glass front bookcase USA, circa 1850s Book-matched flame mahogany and glass Measures: 44" W x 19.25" D x 81...

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century American American Empire Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Glass, Mahogany

Antique Secretary Desk, Empire Style, circa 1820
Antique Secretary Desk, Empire Style, circa 1820

Antique Secretary Desk, Empire Style, circa 1820

Sold

H 74.81 in W 40.56 in D 19.3 in

Antique Secretary Desk, Empire Style, circa 1820

Located in Chorzów, PL

The unique, birch secretary was created circa 1820 in Scandinavia. Empire style furniture has numerous drawers and storage compartments, the hinged flap opens as a desk top.

Category

Antique 1820s Swedish Empire Secretaires

Materials

Birch

Early 19th Century Empire Mahogany Secretary Desk
Early 19th Century Empire Mahogany Secretary Desk

Early 19th Century Empire Mahogany Secretary Desk

Sold

H 101.97 in W 45.67 in D 20.48 in

Early 19th Century Empire Mahogany Secretary Desk

Located in Paris, FR

Large mahogany and mahogany veneer secretary desk with gilt bronze decoration. Two columns set in the front of the case are capped with rings.

Category

Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Secretaires

Materials

Bronze

Early 19th Century Mahogany Secretary Desk Empire Period
Early 19th Century Mahogany Secretary Desk Empire Period

Early 19th Century Mahogany Secretary Desk Empire Period

Located in Paris, FR

Mahogany secretary desk with sculpted and gilt bronze accents and Saint Anne marble top.

Category

Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Secretaires

Materials

Bronze

Antique Danish Louis Philippe Empire Style Mahogany Secretary Desk
Antique Danish Louis Philippe Empire Style Mahogany Secretary Desk

Antique Danish Louis Philippe Empire Style Mahogany Secretary Desk

Located in Chicago, IL

Antique Danish Louis Philippe Empire Style Mahogany Secretary Desk This exquisite 19th-century secretary desk beautifully combines the influence of the Louis Philippe and Danish Emp...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Danish Empire Secretaires

Materials

Metal

Unique Austrian Empire Cylinder Secretary/Writing Desk, Material Cherry, Wien
Unique Austrian Empire Cylinder Secretary/Writing Desk, Material Cherry, Wien

Unique Austrian Empire Cylinder Secretary/Writing Desk, Material Cherry, Wien

Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj

Shipping to any US port only for $290 USD Empire Secretary/Writing desk - (Cylinder) Material: cheerywood.

Category

Antique 1810s Austrian Empire Secretaires

Materials

Wood, Cherry, Lacquer

Antique American Empire Flame Mahogany Dropfront Secretary Desk, circa 1840
Antique American Empire Flame Mahogany Dropfront Secretary Desk, circa 1840

Antique American Empire Flame Mahogany Dropfront Secretary Desk, circa 1840

By Anthony Quervelle

Located in Big Flats, NY

An antique American Empire secretary offers deeply striated flame mahogany construction with upper bookcase having double glass doors with arch form filigree and two drawers surmount...

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century American Empire Secretaires

Materials

Metal

Antique French Empire Walnut Drop Down Secretary Secretaire Desk Abattant
Antique French Empire Walnut Drop Down Secretary Secretaire Desk Abattant

Antique French Empire Walnut Drop Down Secretary Secretaire Desk Abattant

Located in West Hartford, CT

Beautiful tall 19th Century French Empire walnut secretaire abattant features elegant patterns created by the natural walnut grain, flanked by columns with bronze ormolu mounts. Drop...

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Empire Secretaires

Materials

Bronze

Antique American Empire Flame Mahogany Secretary Desk With Leaded Glass c1840
Antique American Empire Flame Mahogany Secretary Desk With Leaded Glass c1840

Antique American Empire Flame Mahogany Secretary Desk With Leaded Glass c1840

Located in Big Flats, NY

An antique American Empire secretary offers flame mahogany construction with upper having arched pediment over bookcase having double doors with leaded glass over lower with slant fr...

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century American Empire Secretaires

Materials

Glass, Mahogany

Antique American Empire Flame Mahogany Secretary Desk With Leaded Glass c1840
Antique American Empire Flame Mahogany Secretary Desk With Leaded Glass c1840

Antique American Empire Flame Mahogany Secretary Desk With Leaded Glass c1840

Located in Big Flats, NY

An antique American Empire secretary offers flame mahogany construction with upper having arched pediment over bookcase having double doors with leaded glass over lower with slant fr...

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century American Empire Secretaires

Materials

Glass, Mahogany

French Empire Mahogany Secretary Desk Cabinet with Drawers ca. 1830
French Empire Mahogany Secretary Desk Cabinet with Drawers ca. 1830

French Empire Mahogany Secretary Desk Cabinet with Drawers ca. 1830

Located in Shippensburg, PA

LOUIS PHILIPPE ORMOLU-MOUNTED FLAMED-MAHOGANY SECRETAIRE À ABATTANT Paris, France circa 1830 unmarked Item # 408LTW21P A very good Louis Philippe period secretaire à abattant (sec...

Category

Antique 19th Century French Empire Secretaires

Materials

Marble, Bronze, Ormolu

19th Century French Empire Mahogany Secretary
19th Century French Empire Mahogany Secretary

19th Century French Empire Mahogany Secretary

Located in Vancouver, British Columbia

French Empire secretary having a fall-front desk opening to fitted drawers and with leather writing surface, and with a bank of three drawers below and a single drawer above.

Category

Antique 1820s French Empire Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

Antique French Empire Mahogany Secretary Drop Down Desk Abattant
Antique French Empire Mahogany Secretary Drop Down Desk Abattant

Antique French Empire Mahogany Secretary Drop Down Desk Abattant

Located in West Hartford, CT

Exquisite tall 19th century French Empire mahogany secretaire abattant which features elegant patterns, created by the rich mahogany grain, and a drop down with black leather writing...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Secretaires

Materials

Granite

Vintage Cherry Wood Secretary Desks-16 Drawers-Office Cabinet-Empire Style-70s
Vintage Cherry Wood Secretary Desks-16 Drawers-Office Cabinet-Empire Style-70s

Vintage Cherry Wood Secretary Desks-16 Drawers-Office Cabinet-Empire Style-70s

Located in Bussiere Dunoise, Nouvel Aquitaine

Autumn Sale: Enjoy FREE IN-HOME delivery to France and special Shipping Offers for many other Countries. Exquisite French secretary desks crafted from solid cherry wood feature exte...

Category

Vintage 1970s French Empire Secretaires

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 three drawers flanked by two ebonized columns shows a beautiful oak veneer design. The w...

Category

Antique Early 19th Century French Biedermeier Secretaires

Antique Secretary Desk, Northern Europe, circa 1860
Antique Secretary Desk, Northern Europe, circa 1860

Antique Secretary Desk, Northern Europe, circa 1860

Sold

H 87.8 in W 41.74 in D 23.23 in

Antique Secretary Desk, Northern Europe, circa 1860

Located in Chorzów, PL

Antique secretary from the mid-19th century. The furniture is currently under renovation. Dimensions: height 223 cm / width 106 cm / depth 59 cm.

Category

Antique 1860s Swedish Empire Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

Antique French Empire Mahogany Gilt-Bronze Mounted Marble-Top Abattant Secretary
Antique French Empire Mahogany Gilt-Bronze Mounted Marble-Top Abattant Secretary

Antique French Empire Mahogany Gilt-Bronze Mounted Marble-Top Abattant Secretary

Located in Chicago, IL

Antique Imported French Empire Flame Mahogany Gilt-Bronze Mounted Marble-Top Abattant Secretary Desk This 19th-century French Empire-style secretary desk is a true work of art.

Category

Antique 19th Century French Empire Secretaires

Materials

Marble, Brass

Antique American Mahogany Baltimore 'Butler's' Desk/Secretary Chest, circa 1820
Antique American Mahogany Baltimore 'Butler's' Desk/Secretary Chest, circa 1820

Antique American Mahogany Baltimore 'Butler's' Desk/Secretary Chest, circa 1820

By John Needles

Located in Portland, OR

Antique American mahogany Baltimore 'Butler's' desk/secretary chest, circa 1820. The desk made of fine figured mahogany, the top drawer being a fall front secretary with a fitted int...

Category

Antique Early 19th Century American American Empire Dressers

Materials

Mahogany

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Empire Secretary Desk For Sale on 1stDibs

At 1stDibs, there are many versions of the ideal empire secretary desk for your home. Frequently made of wood, mahogany and metal, every empire secretary desk was constructed with great care. You’ve searched high and low for the perfect empire secretary desk — we have versions that date back to the 19th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 20th Century are available. An empire secretary desk, designed in the Empire style, is generally a popular piece of furniture. A well-made empire secretary desk has long been a part of the offerings for many furniture designers and manufacturers, but those produced by Baker Furniture Company, Jean Joseph Chapuis and John Needles are consistently popular.

How Much is a Empire Secretary Desk?

Prices for an empire secretary desk can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, they begin at $2,200 and can go as high as $90,000, while the average can fetch as much as $5,809.

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.

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