Skip to main content

French Empire Secretaire

to
16
94
71
171
126
1
3
154
13
6
3
2
2
1
1
1
154
101
86
52
48
163
161
1
1
1
171
171
171
2
1
1
Sort By
French Empire Secrétaire á Abattant
French Empire Secrétaire á Abattant

French Empire Secrétaire á Abattant

Located in Baton Rouge, LA

A handsome 19th century French Empire secrétaire à abattant made of richly figured, bookmatched walnut.

Category

Antique 19th Century French Empire Secretaires

Materials

Marble, Brass

French Empire Secretaire À Abattant With Faux Book Front
French Empire Secretaire À Abattant With Faux Book Front

French Empire Secretaire À Abattant With Faux Book Front

Located in Charlottesville, VA

Tall French Empire secretaire à abattant featuring a drop-front writing surface and faux book facade.

Category

Early 20th Century French Secretaires

Materials

Stone

Circa 1815 French Empire Secrétaire à Abattant
Circa 1815 French Empire Secrétaire à Abattant

Circa 1815 French Empire Secrétaire à Abattant

Located in Chapel Hill, NC

Circa 1815 French Empire Secrétaire à Abattant. Mahogany with mahogany & oak secondary wood.

Category

Antique 1810s French Empire Secretaires

Materials

Marble, Bronze

19th Century French Empire Secretaire, Chest Of Drawers, Dressing Table
19th Century French Empire Secretaire, Chest Of Drawers, Dressing Table

19th Century French Empire Secretaire, Chest Of Drawers, Dressing Table

Located in Greven, DE

Antique mirror chest of drawers with writing compartment Frankreich Mahagoni erste Hälfte 19. Jahrhundert Dimensions: H x W x D: 151 x 98 x 52 cm Description: Exceptionally delica...

Category

Antique 19th Century French Empire Dressers

Materials

Mahogany

Secretaire "a Abbatant" Napoleon III Empire, 19th Century
Secretaire "a Abbatant" Napoleon III Empire, 19th Century

Secretaire "a Abbatant" Napoleon III Empire, 19th Century

By Empire Furniture

Located in Madrid, ES

Material: Mahogany wood Additional Information: Secretaire "a Abbatant" French, Empire Style, 19th century.

Category

Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Large French Empire Walnut Secretaire Abattant, Early 20th Century
Large French Empire Walnut Secretaire Abattant, Early 20th Century

Large French Empire Walnut Secretaire Abattant, Early 20th Century

Located in BÉTERA, ES

Elegant French Empire secretaire abattant crafted in walnut, featuring striking book-matched veneer, ebonized column details, and brass capitals.

Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Cabinets

Materials

Brass

French Secretaire à Abattant, First Empire Period
French Secretaire à Abattant, First Empire Period

French Secretaire à Abattant, First Empire Period

Located in Montreal, Quebec

French first Empire period Secretaire à Abattant, also known as a drop-front secretary, fall front or cantilevered desk.

Category

Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Secretaires

Materials

Marble, Bronze

French 19th Century Empire Secrétaire à Abattant
French 19th Century Empire Secrétaire à Abattant

French 19th Century Empire Secrétaire à Abattant

Located in Baton Rouge, LA

A stately 19th century mahogany secretaire a abattant from France, circa 1810. This desk has an exceptional charcoal St.

Category

Antique 19th Century French Empire Secretaires

Materials

Marble, Brass

Empire Secretaire
Empire Secretaire

Empire Secretaire

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Beautiful classic piece.

Category

Antique 19th Century French Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

French 19th Century Empire Solid Marble Top Mahogany Secretaire
French 19th Century Empire Solid Marble Top Mahogany Secretaire

French 19th Century Empire Solid Marble Top Mahogany Secretaire

Located in Carmine, TX

This Empire secrétaire (drop-front desk) reflects the bold, architectural elegance of the early 19th century. Crafted in richly figured flame mahogany, it features strong classical l...

Category

Antique 1850s French Empire Secretaires

Materials

Marble, Bronze

19th Century French Empire Walnut Fall-Front Secretaire
19th Century French Empire Walnut Fall-Front Secretaire

19th Century French Empire Walnut Fall-Front Secretaire

Located in Southampton, NY

Grey marble top above a single long drawer, two columns with gilded detailing on either side of fall-front desk enclosing six small drawers surrounding one larger drawer and original...

Category

Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Secretaires

Materials

Leather, Walnut, Giltwood

French Empire Mahogany Drop Front Secretary "Secrétaire à Abattant"
French Empire Mahogany Drop Front Secretary "Secrétaire à Abattant"

French Empire Mahogany Drop Front Secretary "Secrétaire à Abattant"

Located in Tarry Town, NY

Early 19th century French mahogany wood Empire style drop front secretary with a removable black marble top. The secretary features two front side columns with bronze mounts detail w...

Category

Antique 1810s French Empire Secretaires

Materials

Brass

French Empire Period Walnut Secretaire Desk, Circa 1810
French Empire Period Walnut Secretaire Desk, Circa 1810

French Empire Period Walnut Secretaire Desk, Circa 1810

Located in LA CIOTAT, FR

This elegant French secrétaire desk dates from the Empire period, circa 1810–1820, and represents a refined example of early 19th-century French cabinetmaking.

Category

Antique 1810s French Secretaires

Materials

Leather, Walnut

19th C. French Empire Style Louis Philippe Period Secretaire Abattant
19th C. French Empire Style Louis Philippe Period Secretaire Abattant

19th C. French Empire Style Louis Philippe Period Secretaire Abattant

Located in Forney, TX

A Louis Philippe period (1830–1848) fruitwood secretaire abattant fall front desk. Born in France in the mid-19th century, hand-crafted of rich solid fruitwood with warm wood tone...

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Secretaires

Materials

Leather, Fruitwood

French Walnut Secrétaire á Abbatant
French Walnut Secrétaire á Abbatant

French Walnut Secrétaire á Abbatant

Located in Faversham, GB

The term Abattant is used to describe the fall-front mechanism seen in French style writing desks, known as Secrétaire à Abattant.

Category

Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Revival Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Patent Secretaire, France, 19th Century
Patent Secretaire, France, 19th Century

Patent Secretaire, France, 19th Century

Located in Greding, DE

Patent secretaire with mahogany veneered frame and columns with bronze capitals and bases.

Category

Antique 19th Century French Empire Secretaires

Materials

Bronze

French 19th C. Second Empire Secrétaire À Abattant with Gold Ormolu Mounts
French 19th C. Second Empire Secrétaire À Abattant with Gold Ormolu Mounts

French 19th C. Second Empire Secrétaire À Abattant with Gold Ormolu Mounts

Located in Savannah, GA

This extraordinary French Second Empire period secre´taire a' abattan features flame mahogany, gilt brass-mounts and retains its original dark grey speckled granite top. Decorated th...

Category

Antique 1850s French Napoleon III Secretaires

Materials

Granite, Brass, Ormolu

Empire Secretary Desk, France 19th century
Empire Secretary Desk, France 19th century

Empire Secretary Desk, France 19th century

Located in Belmont, MA

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

Empire Fall Top Desk, France, 1810
Empire Fall Top Desk, France, 1810

Empire Fall Top Desk, France, 1810

Located in Belmont, MA

Introducing a remarkable Empire Fall Top Desk, hailing from France during the period of 1800-1810. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, this magnificent desk boasts a mahogan...

Category

Antique Early 1800s European Empire Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

Empire Secretary in Mahogany Veneer, France, Circa 1810
Empire Secretary in Mahogany Veneer, France, Circa 1810

Empire Secretary in Mahogany Veneer, France, Circa 1810

Located in Greding, DE

Secretary in mahogany veneer with two-door bottom part as well as dark marble shelf and fire-gilded fittings. Behind the writing flap with brown leather there are more drawers and co...

Category

Antique 1810s French Empire Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

Early 19th Century French Empire Mahogany Secretary W/ Mirror
Early 19th Century French Empire Mahogany Secretary W/ Mirror

Early 19th Century French Empire Mahogany Secretary W/ Mirror

Located in Astoria, NY

An exquisite early 19th century French Empire secretary, meticulously restored and sourced from Paris, France. Masterfully hand-crafted from rich mahogany, the piece is topped with i...

Category

Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Secretaires

Materials

Marble, Brass

French Empire Mahogany Bureau à Cylindre Writing Table, circa 1810
French Empire Mahogany Bureau à Cylindre Writing Table, circa 1810

French Empire Mahogany Bureau à Cylindre Writing Table, circa 1810

Located in Rome, IT

A French gilt-metal mounted mahogany bureau à cylindre writing desk. With a grey marble top over three drawers, the fall enclosing a sliding tan leather writing surface, an interior...

Category

Antique 19th Century French Empire Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

French Empire Mahogany Bureau à Cylindre Writing Table, circa 1810
French Empire Mahogany Bureau à Cylindre Writing Table, circa 1810

French Empire Mahogany Bureau à Cylindre Writing Table, circa 1810

Located in Rome, IT

A French gilt-metal mounted mahogany bureau à cylindre writing desk. With a grey marble top over three drawers, the fall enclosing a sliding tan leather writing surface, an interior...

Category

Antique 19th Century French 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 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 Empire Walnut Secretary
19th Century Empire Walnut Secretary

19th Century Empire Walnut Secretary

Located in Houston, TX

French first Empire period Secretaire à Abattant, also known as a drop-front secretary, fall front or cantilevered desk.

Category

Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Secretaires

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

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. The abattant (drop-front) design allows for a con...

Category

Antique 1890s Empire Secretaires

Materials

Wood, 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 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

18th Century Empire Secretary Veneered with Mahogany
18th Century Empire Secretary Veneered with Mahogany

18th Century Empire Secretary Veneered with Mahogany

Located in Opole, PL

We present you an antique piece of furniture covered with mahogany veneer with beautiful grain. It is topped with a green marble board. The whole is dated the turn of the 18th and th...

Category

Antique Late 18th Century French Empire Secretaires

Materials

Marble

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

Antique Empire Style Secretary with Brass and Marble Top mahogany veneer
Antique Empire Style Secretary with Brass and Marble Top mahogany veneer

Antique Empire Style Secretary with Brass and Marble Top mahogany veneer

Located in Berlin, DE

Mahogany veneer on solid conifers. High-right corpus on chased bronze claw feet. Architecturally articulated front with library dummy and brass rim sockets. On both sides slightly co...

Category

20th Century French Empire Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

Spectacular Napoleon III Empire Secretaire 19th Century  RESTORED
Spectacular Napoleon III Empire Secretaire 19th Century  RESTORED

Spectacular Napoleon III Empire Secretaire 19th Century RESTORED

By Empire Furniture

Located in Madrid, ES

Spectacular Napoleon III Empire Secretaire 19th Century France in mahogany, mahogany root rich gilded bronze decoration cm. 102x46 h. 140 RESTORED

Category

Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Cabinets

Materials

Mahogany

Mahogany and Gilded Bronze Cylinder Desk, Empire Style, 19th Century
Mahogany and Gilded Bronze Cylinder Desk, Empire Style, 19th Century

Mahogany and Gilded Bronze Cylinder Desk, Empire Style, 19th Century

Located in Paris, FR

Large cylinder desk in mahogany and flamed mahogany veneer in the Empire style. This secretary with semi-cylindrical flap has eight drawers with palmette keys on the front: five on t...

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Secretaires

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Antique French Secretary, Circa 1820, Polished Ebony & Birchwood
Antique French Secretary, Circa 1820, Polished Ebony & Birchwood

Antique French Secretary, Circa 1820, Polished Ebony & Birchwood

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

Restored, refurbished and hand polished. The secretaire represents the First French Empire time period, era also known as Napoleonic France.

Category

Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Secretaires

Materials

Metal, Bronze, Brass

French Transition Period secretary c. 1760 Jean-Francois Dubut
French Transition Period secretary c. 1760 Jean-Francois Dubut

French Transition Period secretary c. 1760 Jean-Francois Dubut

Located in Münster, DE

Secretary à battant - Jean-Francois Dubut Elaborately crafted bureau à battant, Paris circa 1760, Transition, Jean-Francois Dubut rosewood, amaranth, violet and ebony veneered on o...

Category

Antique 1760s French Empire Secretaires

Materials

Marble

Vintage French Empire Marquetry Secretaire
Vintage French Empire Marquetry Secretaire

Vintage French Empire Marquetry Secretaire

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

Commanding attention with its exquisite craftsmanship and timeless design, this vintage French Empire commode is a magnificent addition to any sophisticated interior.

Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

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

19th C. Royal Antique Burl Wood Secretary Desk & Black Leather Drop Leaf Top
19th C. Royal Antique Burl Wood Secretary Desk & Black Leather Drop Leaf Top

19th C. Royal Antique Burl Wood Secretary Desk & Black Leather Drop Leaf Top

Located in West Hollywood, CA

Dimensions: Height: 61 in (154.94 cm)Width: 31 in (78.74 cm)Depth: 18.5 in (46.99 cm) Style: Empire (Of the Period) Materials and Techniques: Bronze,Burl,Elm,Wood,Carved,Hand-Carved,...

Category

Antique 19th Century French Empire Secretaires

Materials

Bronze

French Empire Mahogany Drop Front Secretary "Secrétaire à Abattant"
French Empire Mahogany Drop Front Secretary "Secrétaire à Abattant"

French Empire Mahogany Drop Front Secretary "Secrétaire à Abattant"

Located in Brooklyn, NY

A 19th century French Empire drop front secretary with black as a marble top and side columns with bronze mounts, three drawers below and one drawer above. Double brass locking syste...

Category

Antique 1870s French Empire More Carpets

Materials

Mahogany

French First Empire Period, circa 1805, ‘Secretaire Abattant’
French First Empire Period, circa 1805, ‘Secretaire Abattant’

French First Empire Period, circa 1805, ‘Secretaire Abattant’

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

A most powerful and of the highest quality French First Empire period, Circa. 1805, "Secretaire Abattant'.

Category

Antique 19th Century French Desks

Materials

Ormolu

Empire style Mahogany secretaire abattant, circa 1840
Empire style Mahogany secretaire abattant, circa 1840

Empire style Mahogany secretaire abattant, circa 1840

Located in Brighton, Sussex

A very good quality 19th Century French Mahogany marble topped Empire style Secretaire Abattant.

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Empire Revival Desks

Materials

Mahogany

A French Napoleon III Empire Style Mahogany & Ormolu Secretaire - Knee-Hole Desk
A French Napoleon III Empire Style Mahogany & Ormolu Secretaire - Knee-Hole Desk

A French Napoleon III Empire Style Mahogany & Ormolu Secretaire - Knee-Hole Desk

By François-Honoré-Georges Jacob-Desmalter

Located in Los Angeles, CA

A Fine and Rare French Napoleon III Empire Style Mahogany and Ormolu Mounted Knee-Hole Secretaire with a Pull-Drawer Desk and Three Upper-Drawers with Two-Side Door Compartments, the...

Category

Antique 19th Century French Empire Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ormolu

19th Century French Empire Secretaire
19th Century French Empire Secretaire

19th Century French Empire Secretaire

Located in Nashville, TN

This 19th century French Empire secretaire features lovely columns with finely cast gilt brass capitals and hardware as well as a lovely white marble top.

Category

Antique 19th Century French Empire Secretaires

Materials

Marble

French Empire Secretaire a Abattant with Cuban Acajou Mahogany
French Empire Secretaire a Abattant with Cuban Acajou Mahogany

French Empire Secretaire a Abattant with Cuban Acajou Mahogany

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

This secretaire a abattant is the in French Empire style and is veneered in Cuban acajou mahogany, with bronze doré mounts and a gray Saint Anne marble top.

Category

Antique 19th Century French Empire Secretaires

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Early 19th Century Empire Flame Mahogany and Black Marble Secretaire
Early 19th Century Empire Flame Mahogany and Black Marble Secretaire

Early 19th Century Empire Flame Mahogany and Black Marble Secretaire

Located in Toledo, Castilla La Mancha

Wonderful French empire secretaire, early 19th century. Flame mahogany, Belgian black marble, leather, bronze details, with two working keys and two secret drawers.

Category

Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Secretaires

Materials

Belgian Black Marble, Bronze

Secrétaire  Bonheur du jour Empire
Secrétaire  Bonheur du jour Empire

Secrétaire Bonheur du jour Empire

Located in Nice, Cote d' Azur

a very unusual secretaire Bonheur du jour with black marble top.

Category

Antique 19th Century French Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

French Empire Period Painted Oak Secretaire Cabinet, circa 1820
French Empire Period Painted Oak Secretaire Cabinet, circa 1820

French Empire Period Painted Oak Secretaire Cabinet, circa 1820

Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire

This is a really beautiful French Empire period painted oak secretaire cabinet, with well painted neo classical decoration en grisaille and ebonized columns.

Category

Antique 1820s French Empire Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Gilt Bronze-Mounted Mahogany Secretaire a` Abattant in French Empire Style, 1820
Gilt Bronze-Mounted Mahogany Secretaire a` Abattant in French Empire Style, 1820

Gilt Bronze-Mounted Mahogany Secretaire a` Abattant in French Empire Style, 1820

Located in Napoli, IT

The superstructure with a white marble top flanked by volute scrolls above a frieze drawer and recessed fall flap enclosing a fitted interior with mirror within columns over a flush ...

Category

Antique 1720s French Empire Secretaires

19th Century, Empire Secretaire, Mahogany Feather, Gilded Bronze
19th Century, Empire Secretaire, Mahogany Feather, Gilded Bronze

19th Century, Empire Secretaire, Mahogany Feather, Gilded Bronze

Located in PALERMO, IT

Empire secretaire, veneered in mahogany feather wood, and adorned with applications in finely chiseled bronze, and gilded with mercury. Upper top in marble.

Category

Antique 19th Century French Empire Secretaires

Materials

Marble, Bronze

French Napoleonic Empire Period Mahogany Secretaire A Abbattant, circa 1820
French Napoleonic Empire Period Mahogany Secretaire A Abbattant, circa 1820

French Napoleonic Empire Period Mahogany Secretaire A Abbattant, circa 1820

Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire

This is a beautifully made and stylish French early 19th century Napoleonic Empire period Secretaire a Abbattant in mahogany and fruitwood, with original mirrored back architectural ...

Category

Antique 1820s French Napoleon III Secretaires

Materials

Brass

19th Century French Mahogany Secrétaire
19th Century French Mahogany Secrétaire

19th Century French Mahogany Secrétaire

Located in Milan, IT

French mahogany secrétaire A-vantaux, first quarter of the 19th century. The secretaire has a high front and columns with gilded bronze ormolu. There are other gilded bronze ormolu a...

Category

Antique 1810s French Empire Secretaires

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

19th Century Empire Style Secretaire a Abbatant
19th Century Empire Style Secretaire a Abbatant

19th Century Empire Style Secretaire a Abbatant

Located in Los Gatos, CA

Late 19th/Early 20th Century Empire Style Gilt Metal Mounted Mahogany Secretaire a Abbatant
4' 9" h x 36" w x 19" d
$3,900

Category

Antique 19th Century French Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century Third Republic Secretaire Abattant, French
19th Century Third Republic Secretaire Abattant, French

19th Century Third Republic Secretaire Abattant, French

Located in Sydney, NSW

A 19th century secretaire abattant in the Empire taste. Bookmatched feathered mahogany, the interior of the desk being in pale bookmatched figured walnut. Gilt bronze mounts and grey...

Category

Antique 1870s French Empire Revival Secretaires

Materials

Bronze

  • 1
Get Updated with New Arrivals
Save "French Empire Secretaire", and we’ll notify you when there are new listings in this category.

French Empire Secretaire For Sale on 1stDibs

Choose from an assortment of styles, material and more with respect to the French empire secretaire you’re looking for at 1stDibs. Frequently made of wood, mahogany and metal, every French empire secretaire was constructed with great care. Your living room may not be complete without a French empire secretaire — find older editions for sale from the 18th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 20th Century. A French empire secretaire is a generally popular piece of furniture, but those created in Empire styles are sought with frequency. Iporito Ceri each produced at least one beautiful French empire secretaire that is worth considering.

How Much is a French Empire Secretaire?

The average selling price for a French empire secretaire at 1stDibs is $6,677, while they’re typically $1,200 on the low end and $90,000 for the highest priced.

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.

Questions About French Empire Secretaire
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    The Classical world is primarily what influenced French Empire furniture. Greek and Roman motifs appear on many pieces. In addition, the opulence of Egyptian furniture inspired furniture makers active during the period. On 1stDibs, shop a range of French Empire furniture.