Items Similar to 19th C. French Empire Style Louis Philippe Period Secretaire Abattant
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
About the Seller
4.8
Platinum Seller
These expertly vetted sellers are 1stDibs' most experienced sellers and are rated highest by our customers.
Established in 2013
1stDibs seller since 2021
197 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: <1 hour
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Forney, TX
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 7 days of delivery.
More From This SellerView All
- Early 19th Century French Empire Period Bureau a Cylindre Gentleman's DeskLocated in Forney, TXA 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
MaterialsBronze
- 19th Century French Louis Philippe Period Bedside CabinetLocated in Forney, TXA 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
MaterialsMarble
- 19th Century French Louis Philippe Period Burl Walnut Console TableLocated in Forney, TXA nearly 200 year old Period Louis Philippe (1830-1848) French burled walnut tiered console table. Born in France in the mid-19th century, hand-crafted of fine warm rich solid wal...Category
Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Console Tables
MaterialsWalnut, Burl
- 19th Century French Napoleon III Period Mahogany Bureau PlatLocated in Forney, TXA French Napoleon III Second Empire period mahogany writing desk. Handcrafted in the third quarter of the 19th century, having an open gallery on scrolled supports with rounded finia...Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Napoleon III Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsLeather, Mahogany
- 19th Century French Louis XIV Style Carved Walnut Library Table Writing DeskLocated in Forney, TXA finely carved French Louis XIV style walnut writing table. circa 1870 Hand carved in France in the late 19th century, exceptionally executed in grand King Louis 14th taste, hand-c...Category
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XIV Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsFaux Leather, Walnut
- Antique Early American 19th Century Pine Plantation DeskLocated in Forney, TXAn 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, primitive 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 Primitive Desks
MaterialsPine
You May Also Like
- 19th Century French Louis Philippe Period Pine SecretaryLocated in Dallas, TXHandcrafted 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
MaterialsPine
- 19th Century French Empire desk Secretaire a AbattantLocated in Casteren, Noord-BrabantBeautiful 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
MaterialsBronze
- French Secretaire à Abattant, First Empire PeriodLocated in Montreal, QuebecFrench 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
MaterialsMarble, Bronze
- Louis Philippe Style Marquetry Secretaire, 19th CenturyLocated in New York, NYLouis Philippe Style Marquetry Secretaire Cabinet, Circa 19th Century, the top drawer with gilt bronze pulls and key above a drop front opening to reveal leather-inset writing surfac...Category
Antique 19th Century Louis Philippe Secretaires
MaterialsBronze
- French 19th Century Walnut Secrétaire à AbattantLocated in Baton Rouge, LAThis 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
MaterialsStone, Marble, Metal, Brass
- French Empire Secrétaire á AbattantLocated in Baton Rouge, LAA handsome 19th century Empire secrétaire à abattant made of rich bookmatched and figured walnut. This desk has a black fossil marble top resting above a drawer, accessible with a hidden pull. Below is a fold front door revealing a fitted interior with a functional writing surface, inset with worn green leather with gold tooling. The interior has an open storage shelf flanked with empirical styled columns over a set of six drawers of varying sizes. The writing surface is supported with rounded brass hinges. Below are three easy to use drawers...Category
Antique 19th Century French Empire Secretaires
MaterialsMarble, Brass
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
Antique Furniture Styles
Furniture Antique Styles
Furniture Styles Antique
High Quality Antique Furniture
Antique Louis Philippe Furniture
Louis Philippe Furniture Antique
Louis Philippe Antique Furniture
Fitted Case Jewelry
French Style Small Cabinets
Business Dresses
French Restoration Style
Small Leather Jewelry Case
French Restoration Style Furniture
19th C Empire
Small Antique 19th Century French Louis
French First Empire Furniture
1840s French
French Empire Style Cabinet