Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 12

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

About the Item

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 tones, subtle grain detail, and nicely aged mellow patina over the whole. Finished in French Empire taste, having a molded cornice, concealed ogee frieze drawer with dovetail joinery, over fall front panel, opening to reveal original fitted interior gallery, with inset gilt tooled leather writing surface, large open shelf cubby, six drawers of various size, above double-door cabinet with brass shield escutcheon that opens to provide generous storage space, and an additional lower drawer for valuables hidden in the base molding, rising on square feet. Dimensions: (approx) 56.75" High 41" Wide, 17.5" Deep History/Back Story: Louis Philippe furniture had the same types and forms as the earlier French Restoration style, but with less decoration; comfort was the primary consideration. During the turbulent French Revolution and following Napoleon rule, Louis Philippe (1773-1850) remained in exile for 21 years until the Bourbon Restoration, when he became the King of the French from 1830 to 1848. For the first time, the developing upper class–not the monarchy–influenced the progression of this style’s characteristics. However, King Louis Philippe’s personality still inspired many aspects.  His casual nature reflected this style’s informal, comfortable build. Much of the style was taken from the personality of the King himself. Unlike his Bourbon predecessors, he wore business dress, not formal robes, he lived in Paris, and he shunned ceremonies; he carried his own umbrella, and imposed no official styles. In the years following the French Revolution, former aristocrats returned to their homes only to find many of their belongings seized and sold.  After Charles X issued reparations, wealthy families were once again able to purchase high-quality furniture. Cabinetmakers resumed the tradition of innovative design. The increasingly affluent middle class also sought well-made pieces, leading to a higher demand for French furniture.  Many of these people, while wealthy, lived in small houses and apartments. Their need for pieces that fit in their homes resulted in pieces that are still highly sought-after because of their small size, such as this narrow case piece that conceals a full size drop-front - secretary style writing slope - work table, ample storage options for writing instruments, inkwells, important documents, currency, jewelry and other valuables. All in a compact size with minimal footprint, intended to take up as little floor space as possible, especially when not in use. During the reign of King Louis-Philippe fine furniture was no longer restricted to royalty and aristocrats. Designs turned from extravagant and formal to refined and polished. Furniture was functional, elegant, but still very simple. It included clean, rounded, gentle lines (doucine) and sparse adornment. These characteristics have helped contribute to Louis Philippe furniture style’s longevity.  Condition: Great antique condition. Presents well, with beautifully aged patina over the whole. Closing in on 200 years of age, it presents with original antique character marks throughout including wear consistent with age and use. Strong, sturdy, stable, and structurally sound. Overall a wonderful example. Delivered cleaned, hand waxed with polished hand rubbed French patina finish, ready for immediate use and generational enjoyment!
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 56.75 in (144.15 cm)Width: 41 in (104.14 cm)Depth: 17.5 in (44.45 cm)
  • Style:
    Louis Philippe (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    circa 1840s
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use. Great antique condition. Beautifully aged patina over the whole. Nearing 200 years of age, it presents well, with original antique character marks throughout, all wear consistent with age & use. Strong, sturdy, stable. Ready for immediate use.
  • Seller Location:
    Forney, TX
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU5977230865512

More From This Seller

View All
Early 19th Century French Empire Period Bureau a Cylindre Gentleman's Desk
Located in Forney, TX
A exceptionally rare Period French Empire (1804-1814) walnut bureau a cylindre. Exquisitely hand-crafted in France, most likely Parisian work, dating to the early 19th century, the large antique cylinder desk...
Category

Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

19th Century French Louis Philippe Period Bedside Cabinet
Located in Forney, TX
A period Louis Philippe walnut bedside cabinet from France. Handcrafted and carved in the early/mid 19th century, during the transition from late French Restoration through Louis Phi...
Category

Antique Early 19th Century French Louis Philippe Cabinets

Materials

Marble

Maison Gouffé Paris French Transitional Louis XV XVI Secrétaire Bookcase Cabinet
By Pierre Gouffe, Maison Gouffé
Located in Forney, TX
A rare and stunning fine quality French Transitional Tulipwood, Kingwood, ormolu, Brocatelle Violette secrétaire bookcase by renowned Parisian cabinetmaker Maison Gouffé. circa 1925 ...
Category

Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Secretaires

Materials

Marble, Bronze, Ormolu

Maison Forest Signed French Louis XVI Style Writing Table - Late 19th Century
By Maison Forest
Located in Forney, TX
A rare and very fine quality 19th century French bureau plat by renowned Parisian ébéniste Maison Forest. Maison Forest is one of the most famous french cabinetmakers of the 19th a...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Early 19th Century Louis XVI Style Gentleman's Bureau Dressing Table Vanity Desk
By Jean-Henri Riesener
Located in Forney, TX
A rare and exceptional large French speckled plum pudding mahogany rosewood marble ormolu flip-top mirrored gentleman's bureau dressing table / writing desk (poudreuse coiffeuse de t...
Category

Antique Early 19th Century French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Marble, Brass, Bronze

Antique Early American 19th Century Pine Plantation Desk
Located in Forney, TX
An early American 19th century pine plantation desk with nicely aged patina. Born in the Mid-Atlantic region / Southern United States, circa 1800s, hand-crafted of solid pine wood with mellow warm tone and rich grain patterns, one-piece construction, having a stepped molded cornice above a tall pair of paneled cabinet doors, opening to reveal an interior fitted with shelves and divided slots for documents, plank boarded back with old metal patch, over a lift-top writing slope with spacious storage underneath, the apron adorned with simple decorative pilasters...
Category

Antique 19th Century American Rustic Desks

Materials

Pine

You May Also Like

19th Century French Louis Philippe Period Pine Secretary
Located in Dallas, TX
Handcrafted during the 19th century, this French Louis Philippe period pine secretary is ideal for the casual decor with its clean lines and sublime functionality. The tailored lines...
Category

Antique 1840s French Louis Philippe Secretaires

Materials

Pine

French 19th Century Empire Secrétaire à Abattant
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A statley 19th century mahogany secre´taire a` abattant from France, circa 1810. This desk has an exceptional charcoal marble top resting above a single drawer disguised into the apron. Just below the top drawer, the front of the desk folds forward to reveal a work area inset with vibrant red leather detailed with gold tooling. The leather is in great antique condition making this a comfortable place to work. When open, you can see the theatre is equipped with five drawers and a large, arched top cubby flanked with column forms. With the desk down the maximum depth is 32”; the writing surface is 28-½” heigh. The desk front...
Category

Antique 19th Century French Empire Secretaires

Materials

Marble, Brass

19th Century Empire Secrétaire à Abattant
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
We present this elegant antique Italian Secretaire dating back to the early 19th century, Empire period. An extremely refined Secretaire. Made of fine solid mahogany wood (accompani...
Category

Antique 19th Century Italian Empire Secretaires

Materials

Marble

19th Century French Empire desk Secretaire a Abattant
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
Beautiful upright secrétaire from the French Empire period. The desk is made of oak with burr walnut veneer, decorated with bronze ormolu elements. These are typical of the French Em...
Category

Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Secretaires

Materials

Bronze

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. Under the dark grey marble top is a secret, entablature drawe...
Category

Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Secretaires

Materials

Marble, Bronze

French 19th Century Walnut Secrétaire à Abattant
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This wonderful walnut secre´taire a` abattant was constructed in the style of Louis XVI during the 19th century. Topped with a great piece of black and white marble. A single, slim d...
Category

Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Stone, Marble, Metal, Brass

Recently Viewed

View All