19th Century Secretaire A Abattant
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XV Secretaires
Rosewood
Antique 19th Century French Victorian Secretaires
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Secretaires
Belgian Black Marble, Ormolu, Bronze
Antique 19th Century Unknown Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique 1880s Secretaires
Antique 1840s Swedish Biedermeier Secretaires
Antique Mid-19th Century French Empire Secretaires
Marble, Bronze
Antique 19th Century Austrian Secretaires
Antique 19th Century French Louis Philippe Secretaires
Leather, Rosewood, Walnut
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Secretaires
Brass
Antique 1860s French Napoleon III Secretaires
Rosewood, Walnut
Antique 19th Century Secretaires
Antique 1860s French Directoire Secretaires
Antique Early 19th Century Italian Empire Secretaires
Marble, Bronze
Antique 19th Century French Secretaires
Antique 19th Century French Directoire Secretaires
Belgian Black Marble
Antique Early 19th Century French Louis XVI Secretaires
Marble, Bronze
Antique 19th Century French Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century American Neoclassical Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Secretaires
Ebony
Antique 19th Century American Neoclassical Secretaires
Antique Early 19th Century Dutch Dutch Colonial Secretaires
Mahogany, Satinwood
Antique 19th Century Danish Secretaires
Antique Early 19th Century Italian Louis XVI Secretaires
Walnut, Fruitwood
Antique 19th Century Swedish Secretaires
Pine
Antique 19th Century Desks
Bronze
Antique 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Secretaires
Burl, Walnut
Antique Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Secretaires
Wood
Antique 19th Century French Louis Philippe Desks
Satinwood, Wood
Antique 19th Century French Secretaires
Antique 19th Century French Secretaires
Wood, Leather
Antique 19th Century American Neoclassical Desks
Walnut
Antique 19th Century French Secretaires
Antique 19th Century French Empire Secretaires
Marble, Ormolu
Antique 19th Century Empire Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
Antique 19th Century French Desks
Antique 19th Century French Victorian Dressers
Rosewood
Antique 1880s French Busts
Antique 1880s Danish Victorian Wardrobes and Armoires
Antique 1880s Danish Victorian Wardrobes and Armoires
Antique 1820s French Napoleon III Secretaires
Leather, Wood
Antique 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Secretaires
Satinwood
Antique 19th Century French Louis Philippe Secretaires
Birdseye Maple, Mahogany
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Furniture
Mahogany
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19th Century Secretaire A Abattant For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a 19th Century Secretaire A Abattant?
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.
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