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Louis XVI Secretaires

LOUIS XVI STYLE

Reflecting the final era of royal opulence before the upheaval of the French Revolution, antique Louis XVI furniture features more angular shapes than the Rococo curves of the Louis XV style, harkening back to the imposing grandeur of Louis XIV.

Dating between 1750 and 1800, an era that overlapped with the last king of France whose reign was cut short by the guillotine, Louis XVI furniture, known as the goût grec, is emblematic of the neoclassical revision that French furniture underwent during the second half of the 18th century.

Authentic Louis XVI furniture characteristics include clean lines and carved details such as scrolls and acanthus flourishes that were inspired by ancient Greece and Rome. This was informed by a burgeoning interest in antiquity in the 18th century, owing to new archaeological excavations at sites including Pompeii and Herculaneum. It largely eclipsed the more East Asian–influenced ornamentation of Louis XV for something more geometric and symmetrical.

The Louis XVI style was defined by what was being created for the palatial rooms at Versailles and Fontainebleau, particularly for the queen, with cabinetmaker Jean-Henri Riesener being a favorite of Marie-Antoinette’s for his luxurious pieces accented with gilded bronze and marquetry. Furniture maker Jean-Baptiste-Claude Sené was also a major designer of the period, with his pieces for the royal residences adorned with giltwood and neoclassical touches like tapered columns for chair legs and laurel leaf carvings. Cabinetmaker Adam Weisweiler occasionally incorporated into his furniture porcelain panels produced by Sèvres, a popular manufacturer of European ceramics that served the crown with serveware, vases and other decorative objects.

Find a collection of antique Louis XVI seating, tables, cabinets and other furniture on 1stDibs.

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Style: Louis XVI
Dutch 18th century Cuban mahogany bombé writing cabinet with glass upstand.
Located in AALSMEER, NL
Very beautiful Cuba flower mahogany writing cabinet with 'S-lid' inlaid with olive green leather. wall cabinet with two (old) glass doors, mirrored flower veneer and carvings on the ...
Category

Late 17th Century Dutch Antique Louis XVI Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany, Oak

20th Century Pedestal Column in the Ancient Antique Louis XVI Style Rosewood
Located in Berlin, DE
Different rosewoods on solid conifers mirrored veneer. Sides with paneled parquet decorated with grid-shaped, perforated wide measuring strips. Cover plate with stepped veined marble...
Category

20th Century French Louis XVI Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Late 18th Century Louis XVI Cylinder Desk with central lock and beautiful patina
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
Late 18th Century Cylinder Desk with beautiful Patina, 1800, France Cylinder desk with straight sides, closed in the upper part with a semi-circular flap, with two drawers. The whol...
Category

1790s French Antique Louis XVI Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

Louis XVI Period Secretary - Work From The East - Elm - 18th
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Superb Louis XVI period straight secretary from the end of the 18th century. Work from Eastern France in elm burl, rosewood and rosewood. In the upper part, it has thirteen drawers, ...
Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Louis XVI Secretaires

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Louis XVI Cylinder Desk, South Germany, 1780
Located in Belmont, MA
Louis XVI cylinder desk, South German 1780. Walnut veneer with intarsia in yew and mahogany. The cylinder desk has a beautiful decor with geom...
Category

1780s German Antique Louis XVI Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

Ebonized Antique Louis XVI Secretary
Located in Austin, TX
Secretary, drop front desk, from France, of Mahogany in the Louis XVI style. This cabinet is finished in a lustrous museum quality ebonized French polish. There are two lower doors w...
Category

1910s French Vintage Louis XVI Secretaires

Materials

Carrara Marble, Brass

Late 18th or Early 19th Century Secretary with Hidden Mechanisms, Mahogany
Located in Greven, DE
Antique secretary after designs by Friedrich Gottlob Hoffmann Central German (Leipzig) Mahogany, maple burl around 1800 Dimensions: H x W x D: 144 x 89 x 51 cm Description: The tw...
Category

1790s German Antique Louis XVI Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany, Maple

19th Century Louis XVI Style French Secretaire with Black Marble Top
Located in Houston, TX
In the lavish world of 19th-century French design, the Louis XVI Style Secretaire with a Black Marble Top stands as a masterpiece of sophistication and functionality. Adorned with th...
Category

19th Century French Antique Louis XVI Secretaires

Materials

Marble

19th Century Country French Louis XVI Secretary
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century Country French Louis XVI secretary is a truly astonishing work of the cabinetmaker's art! Hand-crafted from solid old-growth in...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Louis XVI Secretaires

Materials

Oak

Bonheur Du Jour In Amboyna Burl Marquetry And Hard Stone Panels
Located in BARSAC, FR
Sublime Bonheur du jour in Louis XVI style in amboyna burl veneer in rosewood frames and presenting two magnificent vegetal compositions (flowers and red fruits) in hard stones (piet...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Louis XVI Secretaires

Materials

Marble

Louis XVI Style Parquetry, Gilt-Bronze and Lacquer Mounted Petit Secretaire Cabi
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A Fine Louis XVI Style Parquetry, Gilt-Bronze and Lacquer Mounted Petit Secretaire Cabinet, Attributed to Maison Beurdeley. Stamped to the reverse of the bronze mounts to the botto...
Category

19th Century French Antique Louis XVI Secretaires

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

Louis XVI Secretaire with Urn Decoration, around 1790
Located in Greding, DE
Louis Seize secretary featuring five drawers and a flat writing flap. Veneered with cherry wood, this secretary is adorned with fire-shaded inlays. The central motif of the laurel wr...
Category

1790s German Antique Louis XVI Secretaires

Materials

Bronze

Louis XVI Style French Scriban Chest
Located in Austin, TX
Scriban or secretary chest in the Louis XVI style from France. This piece is made of mahogany that has been ebonized and finished with a lustrous French polish. There are two doors t...
Category

1880s French Antique Louis XVI Secretaires

Materials

Marble, Brass

20th Century Inlaid Wood Dutch Louis XVI Style Secretaire, 1960
Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont
Dutch secretaire from the second half of the 20th century. Louis XVI style furniture pleasantly inlaid in walnut, palisander, maple, rosewood, mahogany, burl, ebonized wood and fruitwood. High-leg secretaire equipped with a front drawer and drawer (see photo). Interior complete with 8 small drawers, an open compartment and a large secret compartment (see photo). Desk top with a central stain with a small lack of veneer (see photo). Furniture supported by 4 legs in the shape of an inverted pyramid, wooden upper shelf with some small signs of wear (see photo). Secretaire of excellent proportions and pleasant furnishings, adorned on the front with a female figure inlaid...
Category

1960s Dutch Vintage Louis XVI Secretaires

Materials

Wood

19th C. Drop Front Desk, Secretary Abattant, with Multiple Wood Marquetry Inlay
Located in Madrid, ES
This handsome Carlos IV style "secretaire-abattant" or drop front desk combines functionality with ample storage space. Top, front and sides feature detailed marquetry inlay in geome...
Category

Early 19th Century Spanish Antique Louis XVI Secretaires

Materials

Hardwood, Kingwood, Mahogany

Late 18th Century French Louis XVI, Secretary Marquetery, Slant front Desc
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI, Secretary Marquetery, Slant front Desc Beautiful secretary made in France from solid walnut in ca 1790. Secretary standing on pointed legs, ...
Category

1790s French Antique Louis XVI Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

Antique French Louis XVI Style Secretaire a Abattant
Located in Sheridan, CO
French Louis XVI style fall front desk, early 20th c. This Secretaire desk features a single drawer over fall front panel, opening to fitted interior gallery, inset leather writing s...
Category

1910s French Vintage Louis XVI Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Antique Louis XVI Desk Cabinet "bureau à pente"
Located in Senonches, Centre-Val de Loire
Louis XVI style antique desk chest of drawers called "bureau à pente". Three dovetailed drawers, bronze details. On the front opens a tab...
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Louis XVI Secretaires

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Louis XVI Mahogany Secrétaire à Abattant Circa 1820, France
Located in Alexandria, VA
This neo-classic fall-front secretary not only has the beauty of Louis XVI style furniture but is very practical for modern living. It is perfect for small spaces, yet still provides a lot of storage and a large desk surface quite suitable for a laptop computer...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Louis XVI Secretaires

Materials

Marble, Bronze

c1900 French Antique Louis XVI Style Burl Wood Secretary/ Desk - Petite Size
Located in Opa Locka, FL
c1900 French Antique Louis XVI style Petite Secretary/ Desk. Louis XVI style and made from Exotic Burl Wood. Upper cabinet book storage/ display. Dr...
Category

Early 1900s Antique Louis XVI Secretaires

Materials

Burl

19th Century Louis XVI Country French Secretary Desk
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century Louis XVI Country French Secretary Desk is the epitome of efficiency with style! Artfully hand-crafted from dense, old-growth oak, it features a slant front design wher...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Louis XVI Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Louis XVI Cylinder Secretary, Writing Desk, Walnut, circa 1800
Located in Greven, DE
Louis XVI cylinder secretary in walnut, writing desk West Germany Walnut and others Louis XVI around 1800 Dimensions: H x W x D: 112 x 96 x ...
Category

Early 19th Century German Antique Louis XVI Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

Louis XVI Period Secretary 18th Century
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A late 18th century ‘secrétaire à abattant’, or drop-leaf desk, in fruit wood. This lovely piece of upright furniture benefits from a wealth of useful storage compartments, both internal and external. The front flap lowers down to become a writing surface, revealing three spacious open shelves and a range of slim drawers suitable for documents or trinkets. Four further external drawers, wide and shallow, and a white marble top, complete the design. The side edges are fluted, with glorious brass, rounded detailing at the top, while the legs are tapering, ending in ‘toupie’ style feet. The ‘secretaire’ was an extremely popular choice in its time, being economical in space and perfectly suited to intellectual activities and letter writing...
Category

18th Century French Antique Louis XVI Secretaires

Materials

Bronze

18th Century Louis Seize Rosewood and Walnut Secretaire Secretary
Located in Münster, DE
Diagonal flap secretary Louis Seize, around 1780/90, rosewood, walnut and other precious woods veneered and marquetry, 1 spacious drawer, original fittings, wax polish Dimension...
Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Louis XVI Secretaires

Materials

Wood, Rosewood, Walnut, Softwood

Louis Seize Secretary around 1800 Nutwood Veneer on Oak
Located in Münster, DE
Cylinder bureau, Westphalia circa 1800, walnut and other fine woods veneered on oak, marquetry work, partly fire shaded, fluting and meander frieze, on the cylinder closure depiction...
Category

Early 1800s German Antique Louis XVI Secretaires

Materials

Wood, Nutwood, Oak

Verni Martin secrétaire abattant , circa 1880
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality late 19th Century French Louis XVI style secretaries abbattant, having bombe shaped sides, gilded rococo style scrolling ormolu mounts. Wonderful hand painted Ver...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Louis XVI Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century French Rosewood Inlaid Louis XVI Ladies Desk Bonheur Du Jour
Located in Long Branch, NJ
​19th Century French Rosewood Inlaid Louis XVI Ladies Desk Bonheur Du Jour Dimensions : 30" Wide X 19" Deep X 52.75" Tall This stunning ladies ...
Category

1870s French Antique Louis XVI Secretaires

Materials

Rosewood, Satinwood

French 19th Century Inlay Lady’s Desk
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This is a darling petite lady’s writing desk from France circa 1850. Sleek and uncluttered design, typical of its Louis XVI style. A wonderful white marble top is encircled by an ele...
Category

19th Century French Antique Louis XVI Secretaires

Materials

Stone, Marble, Metal, Brass

Louis XVI Style Cerused Oak Secretary Bookcase Writing Table
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Fabulous French secretaire bookcase featuring a pull-out leather writing table or petite desk. Mid-century 2 part case crafted from oak. The chest is fronted by two large storage drawers with patinated brass ring pulls with a ribbon and bow motif. The top of the commode has a pull-out leather writing surface with embossed leather and gilt borders. The leather has a lovely aged patina with craquelure. The case has fluted corners supported by square legs that taper ending with brass sabot feet. The bookcase has two large doors with gilt wire mesh inset opening to a three shelf case. Below the book storage...
Category

20th Century French Louis XVI Secretaires

Materials

Brass, 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

19th Century French Antique Louis XVI Secretaires

Materials

Stone, Marble, Metal, Brass

French Bureau Plat Around 1900
Located in Heiligenberg, DE
Splendid Bureau Plat veneered with rosewood and decorated with bronze applications, France 19th century. Bureau Plat is in restored condition with shellac polished surface. This ...
Category

1890s French Antique Louis XVI Secretaires

Materials

Kingwood

French Louis XVI Secretaire Abattant / Secretary desk, circa 1800
Located in Lucenec, SK
The secrétaire à abbatant or fall front desk is nearly identical to the desk 5th President James Monroe brought back from France in 1797. These desks are ...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Louis XVI Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Late 18th Century German Louis XVI Secretary, Walnut, Marquetry, Cylinder Desk
Located in Greven, DE
Louis XVI cylinder desk with marquetry Germany (Westphalia) Walnut etc. Classicism around 1795 Dimensions: H x W x D: 118 x 116 x 62 cm Description: Beautiful writing fur...
Category

Late 18th Century German Antique Louis XVI Secretaires

Materials

Maple, Oak, Walnut

Louis XVI Style Secretary Stamped Quignon in Paris
Located in BARSAC, FR
Gustave-Frédéric Quignon Superb Louis XVI style piece of furniture in very finely carved solid mahogany forming a secretary / document holder cabinet. Opening 6 drawers including...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Louis XVI Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century George III Style Mahogany Bureau Secretary Bookcase
Located in WEST PALM BEACH, FL
This is a sophisticated and stately Danish secretary bookcase. The partially pierced cornice and a secondary tiered; a shaped cornice over tw...
Category

Early 19th Century Danish Antique Louis XVI Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

Louis XVI Secretary in Mahogany Called Bonheur Du Jour
Located in Brussels, Brussels
lovely and rare bonheur du jour Louis XVI in mahogany from the end of the 18th century. Very beautiful little secretary in mahogany with its...
Category

18th Century French Antique Louis XVI Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

Louis XVI Roll Top Desk, France 1780
Located in Belmont, MA
This unique Louis XVI Roll Top Desk was made in France around 1780. The outside of the secretary desk has a kingwood veneer with a gorgeous mar...
Category

1780s French Antique Louis XVI Secretaires

Materials

Kingwood, Yew

Very Fine 19th Century French Louis XVI Marquetry Secretaire Abattant by Diehl.
Located in Dallas, TX
A very fine 19th century Louis XVI marquetry inlay secretaire A Abattant by Charles Diehl. Kingwood, satinwood and tulipwood inlay with fine gilt bronze ...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Louis XVI Secretaires

Materials

Bronze

François Linke, Ormolu and Mahogany Secretaire After Riesener
Located in BARSAC, FR
Large Louis XVI style secretaire in mahogany marquetry in frames of light wood and ebony fillets, rich ornamentation of very finely chiseled gilt bronze such as flower garlands, inte...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Louis XVI Secretaires

Materials

Ormolu

Antique French Louis XVI Inlaid Rosewood Secretaire Abattant Desk Dresser, 1880
Located in Portland, OR
A good quality antique French inlaid marquetry Rosewood secretaire abattant, circa 1880. Made from the finest rosewood and of serpentine or bombe shape, with a Carrara marble top, th...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Louis XVI Secretaires

Materials

Marble

Elegant Louis XVI Cherrywood Secrétaire Cabinet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Elegant Louis XVI cherrywood secrétaire cabinet.
Category

18th Century and Earlier French Antique Louis XVI Secretaires

Materials

Leather, Cherry

Louis XVI Period Right Secretary Signed CREPI 18th Century
Located in VERSAILLES, FR
Secrétaire de Dame de forme rectangulaire en placage de satiné. Il ouvre par un tiroir dans la partie supérieure, un abattant découvrant des casiers et des tiroirs et par deux vanta...
Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Louis XVI Secretaires

Materials

Oak

Secretary Period Transition Louis XV, Louis XVI, Palissander & Rosewood, 18th
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Sloping desk / sloping secretary / back donkey secretary from the Louis XV, Louis XVI transition period. Very high quality 18th century work. The subtly arched feet typical of the Lo...
Category

Early 18th Century French Antique Louis XVI Secretaires

Materials

Leather, Wood

Impressive Rolling Secretary in Louis XVI, 20th Century, Mahogany
Located in Berlin, DE
Impressive rolling secretary in Louis XVI, 20th Century. Scroll function with a Watteau painting, signed. Extendable writing surface covered with leather. Rich marquetry on the si...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Louis XVI Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Important Louis XVI Cherrywood Secretary 18th Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Surprising and rare Louis XVI secretary in cherrywood from the 18th century Uncommon secretary given its large size of 1m74 and its very beautiful interior Very beautiful patina an...
Category

18th Century French Antique Louis XVI Secretaires

Materials

Cherry

Large Secretaire With Flap In Marquetry, Late 19th Century
By Jean-François Oeben
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
Massive secretaire with flap in marquetry of cubes on the doors and sides and bronzes (partly gilded): the flap covered with leather inside opens on...
Category

19th Century French Antique Louis XVI Secretaires

Materials

Bronze

Louis XVI Secretaire a Abattant
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a very good example of a late 18th century Louis XVI Secretaire a Abattant. The secretaire is crafted of solid walnut and is a ...
Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Louis XVI Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Louis Seize Bureau, France, Late 18th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Louis Seize secretaire with mahogany veneer and brass moldings and fittings. The secretaire stands on square tapered legs with brass sabots and has three wide drawers, the top one pr...
Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Louis XVI Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Louis XVI Period Right Secretary In Marquetry, Bois De Rose, 18th Century
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Magnificent secretaire with flap from the Louis XVI period from the end of the 18th century. It has a magnificent curling work (marquetry) giving a beautiful cross appearance on the ...
Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Louis XVI Secretaires

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Antique Danish Chest of Drawers in Oak, Made in Late 18th Century, Louis 16
Located in Odense, DK
Romantic antique chest of drawers, made by a Danish cabinetmaker in 1790-1810.. Louis XVI. This chest features great curves and carving skills and undoubtful high quality. Made in so...
Category

Late 18th Century Danish Antique Louis XVI Secretaires

Materials

Oak

Elegant Louis XVI Cherrywood Secrétaire Cabinet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Elegant Louis XVI cherrywood secrétaire cabinet.
Category

18th Century and Earlier French Antique Louis XVI Secretaires

Materials

Leather, Cherry

Antique French Louis XVI Secretary Desk Chest Mahogany, Carrara Marble & Bronze
Located in Senonches, Centre-Val de Loire
Antique French Louis XVI mahogany secretary chest of drawers topped with a white Carrara marble, fluted legs finished with golden bronze clogs and thorough dressed in bronze and bras...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Louis XVI Secretaires

Materials

Brass, Bronze

19th Century French Grand Louis XVI Cylinder Desk
Located in Dallas, TX
19th century French grand Louis XVI cylinder desk is the perfect answer to all your modern office needs! Designed on a larger scale than is typ...
Category

1890s French Antique Louis XVI Secretaires

Materials

Bronze

Elegant Louis XVI Mahogany Bureau / Secretaire Cph. Approx. 1780
Located in Kastrup, DK
Elegant Louis XVI bureau / Secretaire in 3 parts. Top with tooth cut under profiled top list. Pair of doors with fillings, sides with profiled quartz columns. Bottom part with slopi...
Category

Late 18th Century Danish Antique Louis XVI Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Louis XVI Mahogany Bureau / Secretaire, Copenhagen Approx. 1780
Located in Kastrup, DK
Louis XVI bureau / Secretaire in 3 parts. Upper part with three doors. Middle part door with fluted over a la grecque away, flanked by pair of side doors with oval fillings. Exteriors of doors with fluted flat profiles. With 2 fold-down writing boards: Top writing board with leather for standing working position. Behind the writing board a small drawer front with additional small drawers. Middle part with sloping writing flap for a sitting working position. Behind the writing board are numerous drawers in Thuja wood...
Category

Late 18th Century Danish Antique Louis XVI Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany, Satinwood

Louis XVI Style Gilt-Bronze Mounted Secrétaire À Abattant
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
An Impressive Louis XVI style gilt-bronze mounted secrétaire à Abattant, In The Manner Of André Charles Boulle. This drop-front writing cabinet or secrétaire à abattant is finishe...
Category

19th Century French Antique Louis XVI Secretaires

Materials

Ormolu

Louis XVI Secretary Desk, South German 1780, Walnut
Located in Belmont, MA
This original Louis XVI Secretary Desk dates back to 1780 and comes form the southern part of Germany. It is a real beauty! The lower part has...
Category

1780s German Antique Louis XVI Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

19th Century Country French Louis XVI Secretary
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century Country French Louis XVI Secretary represents the essence of efficiency with a flair for style! Hand-crafted from solid oak, i...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Louis XVI Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Louis Xvi secretaires for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Louis XVI secretaires for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage secretaires created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include case pieces and storage cabinets, tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Louis XVI secretaires made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Germany pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original secretaires, popular names associated with this style include Maison Jansen, Alfred Emmanuel Louis Beurdeley, Charles-Guillaume Diehl, and Comatec. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for secretaires differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $2,011 and tops out at $86,260 while the average work can sell for $7,765.

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