How do I date an antique secretary?

To date an antique secretary desk, start by determining the type of hinge used to secure the writing surface. Consult an authoritative resource to find out which furniture makers worked with that type of hinge. You can also look for the name of the manufacturer on the back or bottom of the piece. Find a range of expertly vetted antique secretaries on 1stDibs.

How much is my antique secretary desk worth?

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.

How do I tell if a clock is an antique French clock?

Check the clock for a manufacturer’s mark or label. Once you have this, you should be able to look up the clock’s brand to see if it is French in origin. A clock is considered antique once it is 100 years old. A professional can also help verify the origin of your clock. Shop an array of expertly vetted antique clocks on 1stDibs.

Antique French Secretaries

Abattant Desk

Antique Secretary Side By Side

Antique Secretary Desk With Display

Antique Drop Front Desk

Louis Xv Secretary Desk

French Drop Front Secretary

Early 20th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Baker Furniture Style Antique French Provincial Secretary Desk, Circa 1890s

$2,495

$5,504

19th Century Transforming Table, Ladies Desk, Secretaire, Walnut, France ca 1860

Located in Greven, DE

Small antique secretary, lady's desk France Walnut around 1860 Dimensions: H x W x D: 90 x 59 x 53 cm Description: Quite extraordinary small piece of transforming furniture...

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis XV Secretaires

Materials

Materials

Marble, Silver, Bronze

A Pair of Hickory Chair Custom Upholstered Hand Carved Mahogany Twin Headboards

Sold

Sold

H 38.75 in W 33.5 in D 17.5 in

French Diminutive Secretary, 19th Century Antique

Located in Wichita, KS

A French small secretary from the 19th century in charming ochre paint. This petite secretary has two small top drawers and one large bottom drawer. The interior features four small ...

Materials

Kingwood, Satinwood

Antique French Inlaid Kingwood & Satinwood Parquetry Marble Top Secretary, c1900

Sold

H 57 in W 41.5 in D 15.25 in

Antique French Inlaid Kingwood & Satinwood Parquetry Marble Top Secretary, c1900

Located in Big Flats, NY

Antique French Louis XIV style secretary offers kingwood and satinwood construction with marble top over drop front desk and lower case with long drawer and double door cabinet; cast...

Category

Early 20th Century French Secretaires

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Antique Venetian Painted Secretary Bookcase

Sold

H 82 in W 38 in D 12 in

Antique Venetian Painted Secretary Bookcase

Located in Dallas, TX

Antique Venetian painted secretary bookcase showcases the flair for the dramatic that characterizes artwork, sculpture, and furnishings from Venice. This example, with bold double cr...

Antique Painted Slant Top Secretary/Chest

Sold

H 45.5 in W 47.5 in D 23 in

Antique Painted Slant Top Secretary/Chest

Located in Houston, TX

Found in France this antique painted slant top secretary/chest has a beautiful worn pale yellow finish.

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French French Provincial Secretaires

Materials

Wood, Paint

Antique Louis Philippe Mahogany Secretary

Sold

H 58.5 in W 39.5 in D 18 in

Antique Louis Philippe Mahogany Secretary

Located in Dallas, TX

Handcrafted from exotic imported mahogany "bookmatched" to create a stunning naturalistic pattern on the façade, this secretaire features a large drop-down desk surface with a pair o...

19th Century Country French Neoclassical Secretary

Sold

H 38 in W 26.5 in D 18.5 in

19th Century Country French Neoclassical Secretary

Located in Dallas, TX

Hand-carved in the manner of Louis XVI by an able rural artisan, this antique Country French secretary was fashioned from solid oak to last for generations!

Materials

Fruitwood

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Antique French Secretaries For Sale on 1stDibs

There is a range of antique French secretaries for sale on 1stDibs. The range of distinct antique French secretaries — often made from wood, metal and mahogany — can elevate any home. Antique French secretaries have been made for many years, and versions that date back to the 18th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 21st Century. Antique French secretaries made by louis xv designers — as well as those associated with Louis XVI — are very popular at 1stDibs. Antique French secretaries have been a part of the life’s work for many furniture makers, but those produced by Oleg Cassini, Europa Antiques and Emile Gallé are consistently popular.

How Much are Antique French Secretaries?

The average selling price for at 1stDibs is $4,548, while they’re typically $500 on the low end and $225,000 highest priced.

Finding the Right Storage-case-pieces 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 Antique French Secretaries

How do I date an antique secretary?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
To date an antique secretary desk, start by determining the type of hinge used to secure the writing surface. Consult an authoritative resource to find out which furniture makers worked with that type of hinge. You can also look for the name of the manufacturer on the back or bottom of the piece. Find a range of expertly vetted antique secretaries on 1stDibs.
How much is my antique secretary desk worth?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertSeptember 28, 2021
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.
How do I tell if a clock is an antique French clock?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
Check the clock for a manufacturer’s mark or label. Once you have this, you should be able to look up the clock’s brand to see if it is French in origin. A clock is considered antique once it is 100 years old. A professional can also help verify the origin of your clock. Shop an array of expertly vetted antique clocks on 1stDibs.

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