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Antique Gentleman
s Bureau, English, Walnut, Writing Desk, Secretaire, Georgian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique gentleman's bureau. A fine English, walnut writing desk or secretaire, dating
Category
Mid-18th Century British Georgian Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Louis XVI Style Five-Drawer Abattant Secretaire, France, 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
This Louis XVI style abattant secretaire dates from the 19th century and was produced in France
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
A George I Mulberry Secretaire Bureau Attributed to Coxed
Woster
By Coxed and Woster
Located in London, GB
England, circa 1710.
An important George I secretaire bureau in finely veneered ‘mulberry wood
Category
Early 18th Century English George I Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Pewter
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 Louis XVI Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Rosewood, Walnut, Softwood
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
Category
Late 18th Century Danish Louis XVI Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Fine George III Diminutive Mahogany and Satinwood Secretaire
Located in Essex, MA
With rectangular cornice over a pair of gothic mullioned doors enclosing a fitted interior, the base with drawer enclosing a fitted desk interior all over three drawers ending on spl...
Category
1790s English George III Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
1920 Walnut Secretaire with 16 Drawers and Leather Desk
Located in Schöfflisdorf, CH
1920 walnut secretaire with 16 drawers and leather desk, comes in two parts completely restored
Category
1920s Swiss Art Deco Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Louis XVI Ormolu-Mounted Mahogany Secretaire Stamped Sotto
Located in Kittery Point, ME
With a canted white marble rectangular top with a three-quarter pierced gallery above a frieze drawer, the fall-front with gilt-tooled black leather writing surface enclosing a fitte...
Category
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
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
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Leather, Walnut, Giltwood
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaire Desk with Secret Compartment
Located in Greven, DE
W x D: 169 x 101 x 53 cm
Description:
When closed, this piece of furniture presents itself as a
Category
1820s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Maple
Secretaire Writing Cabinet in Antique Biedermeier Style Mahogany veneer
Located in Berlin, DE
drawers and backboard made of solid wood. So-called pyramid furniture are extremely rare and require high
Category
19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
C.F. Harsdorff Louis XVI Secrétaire in Mahogany Exceptional Quality
Located in Kastrup, DK
C.F. Harsdorff, 1735–1799
A small, elegant Louis XVI secrétaire designed by the renowned Danish
Category
Late 18th Century Danish Louis XVI Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Biedermeier Secretaire With Hidden Compartements And Rare Mechanism, circa 1815
Located in Greven, DE
Brunswick, there were a wide variety of types of writing furniture such as secrétaire à abattant, patent
Category
1810s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Cherry
Light Hardwood Library Bookcase Secrétaire Desk Brown Leather Surface
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to this stunning circa 1880 light mahogany library bookcase with secrétaire desk
Category
1880s English Victorian Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Hardwood
Antique English oak secretaire with stepped interior and working locks
Located in Harderwijk, NL
This antique English oak secretaire from the late 18th/early 19th century is a real eye-catcher. It
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Oak
Secrétaire Cabinet by Maison Vervelle Audot Successeur, circa 1860
By Maison Vervelle Audot Successeur
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A gilt bronze-mounted Secrétaire cabinet with a marble top by Maison Vervelle Audot Successeur
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
A Viennese secrétaire from the early 19th century, Burl birch
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
A Viennese secrétaire from the early 19th century
Burl birch
A Viennese secrétaire from the early
Category
1820s Austrian Biedermeier Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Birch
French 18th century J.F. LELEU stamped secretaire à abattant
By Jean-François Leleu
Located in AALSMEER, NL
Exceptionally high quality furniture from an estate of a private collector
Louis XVI Mahogany
Category
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Brass
$13,738 Sale Price
20% Off
Burr Walnut Clapper Empire Secretaire with Detached Columns and Secret Drawer
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This beautiful Empire clapper secretaire is made of burr walnut. It has very elegant detached
Category
1850s French Empire Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Impressive Marble, Porcelain, and Ormolu Mounted Victorian Secretaires
Located in London, GB
Pair of impressive marble, porcelain, and ormolu mounted Victorian secretaires
English, 19th
Category
19th Century English Victorian Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass, Ormolu
Early 19th Century Swedish Two Part Mahogany Bureau - Antique Leather Secretaire
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Mahogany in good condition. The secretaire is composed of two upper doors, three shelves, and three large
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Venetian rococo 19 th century bureau/secretaire hand painted
Located in Houston, TX
This fine quality Venetian secretary is beautifully carved and finely
Painted in pale teal and rose hues. The bottom is carved in a bombe
Shape and has four drawers that slide easil...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Hardwood
French Empire Flame Mahogany Drop Front Secretaire Abattant Secretary Desk
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Flame Mahogany Drop Front Secretaire Abattant Secretary Desk. Item features 2
Category
Mid-19th Century Unknown Empire Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Antique Louis XVI Style Ormolu and Sèvres Porcelain Mounted Secretaire
Located in London, GB
Antique Louis XVI style ormolu and Sèvres porcelain mounted secretaire
French, c. 1840
Height 127cm
Category
Early 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Biedermeier Secretaire, Cherry Veneer, Ebonized, Brass, South Germany circa 1820
Located in Regensburg, DE
Fine early Biedermeier Secretaire or Drop-Front Secretary in cherry wood from South Germany around
Category
1820s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Iron
French Upright Secrétaire Design Dry Bar, Siding Tambour Doors, Marble Top
Located in Madrid, ES
A 19th century, French secrétaire with beautiful feathered woodwork, eucalyptus fillet inlay with
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Marble
18th Century Swedish Gustavian One Part Pinewood Bureau - Antique Secretaire
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pinewood, in good condition. The Scandinavian secretaire table, desk is composed with a writing flap, three
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Metal
Secrétaire veneered and inlaid in different woods, France, late 18th century
Located in Milano, IT
Secrétaire lastronato in palissandro e intarsiato in legni diversi, Francia, fine del XVIII secolo
Category
Late 18th Century Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Wood
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Two Part Pine Bureau, Scandinavian Secretaire
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
of hand crafted painted pinewood, in good condition. The Scandinavian secretaire is composed with two
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Bronze
Biedermeier Secretaire, Cherry Veneer, Inlays, Brass, South Germany circa 1830
Located in Regensburg, DE
Large, original Biedermeier Secretaire from South Germany around 1840.
Cherry veneered on softwood
Category
1830s Austrian Biedermeier Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Iron, Tin
Gillows Antique English George III Mahogany Secretaire Low Press Cupboard
By Gillows of Lancaster
London
Located in Glasgow, GB
drawer fronts below forming a deep secretaire drawer containing a writing slide with a hinged, ratcheted
Category
Late 18th Century English George III Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Brass
English Antique Georgian Inlaid Solid Oak Bureau / Secretaire c.1800
Located in Leicester, GB
. Fabulous color and patina to the solid oak finish. The whole piece of furniture is made of solid oak, even
Category
Early 1800s English Georgian Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Oak
French Transition 18th Century Marble Top Marquetry Secrétaire À Abattant Chest
Located in Los Angeles, CA
French transition 18th Century marble top marquetry secrétaire à abattant chest with brass mounts
Category
Late 18th Century French French Provincial Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Marble
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
1810s French Empire Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Fine Italian 18th Century Ormolu-Mounted Parquetry Secretaire a Abattant
Located in Rome, IT
Very fine Italian 18' century ormolu-mounted Parquetry Secretaire a Abattant with a dark Grey
Category
18th Century Italian Louis XVI Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Wood
$23,212 Sale Price
30% Off
18th Century Baroque Secretaire/ Writing Cabinet Nutwood, Germany ca. 1770
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Important 18th century secrétaire or writing cabinet elaborately made in the baroque period in West
Category
Late 18th Century German Baroque Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Teak Campaign Chest, 2 Piece Secretaire This is a delightful piece
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Teak Campaign Chest, 2 Piece Secretaire
This is a delightful piece, it is made in Teak with
Category
1920s Campaign Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Teak
Late 19th Century Swedish Pine Secretaire with Fall-Front Desk Top
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Late 19th Century Swedish secretaire with fall-front desk top.
This style of desk was very popular
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Directoire Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Pine
18th Century High Adjustable Secretaire Desk with integrated Hidden Chair, 1780
Located in Greven, DE
Antique desk as transformable furniture with standing desk and integrated chair
Southern Germany
Category
1780s German Louis XVI Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Cherry
18th Century Baroque Walnut Tabernacle Secretaire with Marquetry, circa 1750
Located in Darmstadt, DE
Exceptional Baroque tabernacle secretaire from the 18th century, circa 1750. The piece is divided
Category
18th Century Austrian Baroque Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Brass
$25,581 Sale Price
20% Off
19th Century Secretaire Abattant Standing Drop Front Desk, Dry Bar, TV Cabinet
Located in Madrid, ES
A striking 19th century "Secretaire Abattant" style standing desk with a drop front writing surface
Category
19th Century British Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Hardwood
Swedish Secretaire from 1857 with Trick Lock and Secret Compartements
Located in Greven, DE
- dated 1857
Dimensions: H x W x D: 126 x 109 x 55 cm
Description:
Unusual piece of writing furniture
Category
1850s Swedish Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Birch
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
Category
Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Leather, Fruitwood
Secretaire "À Abattant" Signed Hyppolyte-Edme Pretot, Paris, 19th Century
By Hippolyte-Edme Pretot
Located in Madrid, ES
Secretaire "à abattant". Fine woods, marquetry, interior with drawers in rosewood and textile
Category
19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Late 19th Century Gilt Bronze-Mounted Cartonnier / Secretaire by Antoine Krieger
By Antoine Krieger
Located in Long Island City, NY
A rare late 19th century Louis XVI style gilt bronze-mounted cartonnier or secretaire
By Antoine
Category
Late 19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Biedermeier Nutwood Secretary Desk/ Secretaire, Austria ca. 1820/25
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Splendid early 19th century Biedermeier secretaire/ secretary desk from the renowed period in
Category
Early 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Brass
A Beautiful
Rare Napoleon III 19th Century, Chinese Lacquer
Gilt Secretaire
Located in Reading, Berkshire
A Beautiful
Rare Napoleon III 19th Century, Chinese Lacquer
Gilt Secretaire On Lion Paw
Category
19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Brass
$3,026 Sale Price
20% Off
Late 18th Century Secretaire with Architectural Marquetry, Italy, circa 1770
Located in Greven, DE
.
Two-piece piece of furniture standing on slightly curved stud feet.
The three lower drawers are
Category
18th Century Italian Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Charles IV Secretaire with Drawers with Inlaid Work. Spain, 18th Century.
Located in Madrid, ES
A very rare cabinet or secretaire with a chest of drawers in solid walnut wood, inlaid with
Category
18th Century Spanish Rococo Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Walnut
18th Century Austrian Baroque Secretaire/ Bureau Cabinet, Nutwood, AT ca. 1770
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Remarkable 18th Century baroque secrétaire/ bureau cabinet elaborately handcrafted in the period
Category
Late 18th Century Austrian Baroque Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Small Swiss Louis XV Secretaire, Walnut, Writing Chest, circa 1760
Located in Greven, DE
.
Dimensions: H x W x D: 109 x 93 x 60 cm
Description:
Writing furniture standing on a cut-out plinth frame
Category
Mid-18th Century Swiss Louis XV Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
18th Century Black Swedish Gustavian Oak Bureau - Antique Drop Front Secretaire
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
. The black, drop front secretaire represents the neoclassical Greek style with the original brass
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass
18th Century Grey Swedish Gustavian Pine Two Part Bureau - Antique Secretaire
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
painted Pinewood, in good condition. The Scandinavian secretaire is composed with two upper doors and a
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Metal
Ribalta secretaire Luigi XVI in legno di noce intarsiato. Fine XVIII sec.
Located in Torino, IT
Ribalta secretaire
Luigi XVI
in legno massello
di noce intarsiato,
con due cassetti esterni
e
Category
Late 18th Century Louis XVI Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Late 18th Century German Louis XVI Secretaire with outstanding Marquetry, c 1790
Located in Greven, DE
piece of furniture from the German classicism of the late 18th century.
The piece of furniture is
Category
Late 18th Century German Louis XVI Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Maple, Walnut
19th Century Bombe Marquetry Secrétaire à Abattant, Marble Top and Bronze Mounts
Located in Miami, FL
19th century bombe marquetry secrétaire à abattant, marble top and bronze mounts. Offered for sale
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
19th Century French Louis XV Walnut "Secretaire à Abattant" with Marble Top
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate an office or bedroom with this elegant antique secrétaire à abattant. Crafted in Paris
Category
Mid-19th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
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Antique Secretaire Furniture For Sale on 1stDibs
Choose from an assortment of styles, material and more in our collection of antique secretaire furniture on 1stDibs. Was constructed with extraordinary care, often using wood, mahogany and metal. There are many kinds of the piece of antique secretaire furniture you’re looking for, from those produced as long ago as the 18th Century to those made as recently as the 20th Century. An item from our selection of antique secretaire furniture is a generally popular piece of furniture, but those created in Georgian, Louis XVI and Baroque styles are sought with frequency. You’ll likely find more than one choice in our collection of antique secretaire furniture that is appealing in its simplicity, but Gillows of Lancaster
London, Henry Dasson and André-Charles Boulle produced versions that are worth a look.
How Much is a Antique Secretaire Furniture?
A piece of antique secretaire furniture can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price 1stDibs is $7,477, while the lowest priced sells for $165 and the highest can go for as much as $15,675,000.
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 Antique Secretaire Furniture
- 1stDibs ExpertMay 30, 2024To identify your antique furniture, look for an engraving, tag, label or other marking that indicates who produced it. You may find it on the bottom or back of your furniture or inside a drawer or cabinet. Once you have located the marking, you can snap a photo of it and use a reverse image search to try and identify the maker. Or, you can type a description of the mark into a search engine. Alternatively, you can use the services of a certified appraiser or antiques dealer to get assistance with identification. On 1stDibs, shop a large selection of antique furniture.
- What makes furniture an antique?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertAugust 15, 2019
A piece of furniture is considered an antique if it is at least 100 years old.
- Is antique furniture in style?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 22, 2024Yes, antique furniture is in style. Many people appreciate the beauty and handcrafted character of antique furniture and love the idea of owning pieces with a rich history. Remember that style preferences are nothing if not fluid, meaning what's in one year may not be the next. So, in choosing the furniture you're planning to live with, you should pay less attention to interior design fads than to what speaks to you. That way, you can select pieces that will add long-term character to your home. On 1stDibs, find a large collection of antique furniture.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2024To know if your furniture is antique, look for labels and markings that indicate the maker. From there, you can use trusted online resources to determine when they were active and examine images to try to estimate the age of your piece. Furniture produced 100 years ago or more is antique. You can also have your furniture assessed by an appraiser or antiques dealer to learn about its age. On 1stDibs, explore a large collection of antique furniture.
- 1stDibs ExpertMay 14, 2024Many antique furniture brands are popular. While trends in collecting do vary over time, some makers consistently remain highly sought after. Among them are J. J.W. Meeks, John Henry Belter, R. J. Horner and Co., Stickley Furniture, George Hepplewhite, Josef Dannhauser, Thomas Chippendale and Thomas Sheridan. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of antique furniture.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021There are a number of factors that can indicate if your antique furniture is valuable. When determining the value of antique furniture, consider its rarity. Additionally, it is important to determine the quality and condition of vintage furniture. If unsure of the value of your vintage furniture, have it appraised.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021Antique furniture can be worth quite a lot, particularly if it is in good quality. The rarer the piece, the higher the value.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2024Whether antique furniture is making a comeback is a matter of opinion. Many people would argue that antique furniture never faded from fashion, as there have always been individuals who love the idea of owning pieces that have history. Some of the most popular styles for antique furniture include Art Deco, Arts and Crafts, Renaissance Revival, Elizabethan, Gothic Revival, Victorian and Chippendale. Find a large collection of antique furniture from some of the world's top dealers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 1, 2024To date antique furniture from the UK, first look for identifying markings on the piece. You can then use trusted online resources to determine when the maker was active. From there, you may be able to estimate the year of production by looking at images of other furniture the maker produced. An expert appraiser or antiques dealer can also aid you in the dating process. Find a large selection of antique furniture on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 13, 2024How old furniture that is called antique can be is typically at least 100 years. People usually call furniture between 20 and 99 years old vintage. Contemporary is the word for furniture manufactured within the last 20 years. On 1stDibs, shop a large selection of antique, vintage and contemporary furniture from some of the world's top sellers.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 5, 2021The best finish for antique furniture is a matter of liking. But film finish is recommended by experts as it leaves a thick coat of film on the wood surface which protects wood from water and scratches. Shellac or varnish and water base are commonly used film finishes. Find an exquisite collection of antique, new and vintage furniture on 1stDibs
PAGODA REDOctober 7, 2020To determine the age of a Chinese furniture piece, look carefully at the joinery and finish. Natural expansion and contraction of the wood over time will cause a joint to protrude or retract, distorting a once-seamless fit. Antique lacquer finishes become crackled and worn over time. Areas of exposed wood, such as the underside of a table, the footrest of a chair, or the back of a cabinet should appear raw and dry compared to the finished surface. With use, the legs of tables and chairs become weathered near the bottom from precipitation and use.
- 1stDibs ExpertAugust 29, 2024To tell how old your antique furniture is, research the maker using trusted online resources. You may find that the furniture maker was active for only a short period, giving you the ability to roughly estimate its age. For manufacturers and designers with a long history of production, consider the style of your furniture and look for images of similar pieces published online. Because it may be difficult to date furniture on your own, consider consulting a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer. On 1stDibs, explore a variety of antique furniture.
- 1stDibs ExpertAugust 20, 2024To tell what your antique furniture is worth, look at sales histories on trusted online platforms and read valuation guides posted on trusted online resources. The maker, type, style, age and condition of your furniture will impact its value. Researching furniture produced by the same maker is a good starting point. A certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer can also aid you in the valuation process. Find a large collection of antique furniture on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 4, 2024To identify antique Chinese furniture, look carefully at its details. Chinese craftsmen often built furniture using mortise and tenon joinery, eliminating the need for nails and screws. If you see this type of hardware, your piece is likely not at least 100 years old, especially if the hardware still looks new and shiny. Since antique furniture was handmade, you will normally see slight imperfections, such as tool marks or slight variations in carvings. Pieces that appear completely uniform and pristine are less often genuine antiques.
When present, maker's marks can also be helpful. Research the marks to learn more about when the maker was active and producing pieces like yours. Alternatively, you can have a certified appraiser or experienced antique dealer evaluate your furniture for you.
Shop an assortment of antique Chinese furniture. - 1stDibs ExpertOctober 24, 2024To tell antique furniture from reproduction, first check for a maker's mark. By researching the maker associated with the marking using trusted online resources, you can determine when they were active. If the company was in business 100 years ago or more, your piece may be an antique, but if the company's history began more recently, your piece is likely a reproduction. If you can't locate a marking, study the details of the furniture up close. Genuine antiques will often show tool marks and slight variations in carved details because they were typically handcrafted. Most contemporary furniture is machine-made, so you won't usually see these types of characteristics. When in doubt, have a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer evaluate your furniture. On 1stDibs, find a wide variety of antique furniture.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 24, 2024To tell who made your antique furniture, seek out a maker's marking. Locations of these marks vary, but they are generally in an inconspicuous location. For example, a dresser may have the mark inside a drawer or on the back, while a hallmark on a table is often on a leg or under the tabletop. Once you locate a mark, you can use trusted online resources to identify the maker and learn more about them. If you can't find a marking on your piece, a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer can assist you with the identification process. Explore a large selection of antique furniture on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMay 14, 2024To be considered antique, furniture must usually be at least 100 years old. Contemporary is the name for furniture produced within the last 20 years. Vintage furniture is at least 20 years old. On 1stDibs, shop a diverse assortment of antique, vintage and contemporary furniture from some of the world's top sellers.
- 1stDibs ExpertAugust 26, 2024To tell the difference between antique and reproduction furniture, first look at hidden areas, such as the backs or insides of the drawers. On reproduction furniture, you may find plywood or engineered wood in these areas, while antique furniture will usually have solid hardwood on drawer interiors and backs. Also, slight irregularities and marks indicating that the furniture was built with hand tools rather than machines usually suggest that the piece is antique. Because it can be difficult to differentiate reproductions from genuine antiques without expertise and training, you may wish to consult a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer about the age of your piece. Find a diverse assortment of antique furniture on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertJanuary 25, 2019
The difference between vintage and antique furniture is that vintage furniture is at least 20 years old, while antiques must be at least 100 years old to be considered antique.
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37 Cheerful Home Bars, Where Everybody (Literally) Knows Your Name
Simple or sophisticated, equipped with console, cart or custom cabinetry, these stylish bar areas deserve a toast.
The Ultimate Guide to Types of Tables for the Home
Whether you’re just moving in or ready to give your home a makeover, our guide will give you pointers on tables that are fitting for every room, nook and hallway.
What Exactly Is a Secretary Desk, and What Is It Used For?
The furniture equivalent of a Swiss Army knife, it's the multifunctional piece you didn't know you needed.
This Shelving System with Oxidized Brass Tubes Is Retro and Futuristic at Once
Italian studio DimoreMilano mustered great ingenuity when crafting these sculptural shelves, which are built without any screws.
Ask an Interior Designer: Work-from-Home Edition
Leaping into a design project, whether it's refreshing the bedroom or redoing the whole house, can be overwhelming. Luckily, we know more than a few interior designers. You asked questions on Instagram, and now they're answering.
Collected and Eclectic, ‘Wunderkammern’ Are Back in a Big Way
Introduced nearly 500 years ago, curiosity cabinets are finding new fans among today's collectors and designers.
Meet the Incredible Woman Transforming Fallen Trees into Sleek Furniture
In the hands of New York Heartwoods cofounder Megan Offner, unwanted local trees become works of design art.
These New York Architects Love a Complicated Project
From Brooklyn townhouses to Maine campgrounds, Trattie Davies and Jonathan Toews relish a challenge, like transforming a former warehouse space into the new 1stdibs Gallery.
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19c Commode
Lyre Secretaire
Baroque Tabernacle Secretaire
Bureau Davenport
Jacobean Secretary Desk
Antique Cabinets With Secret Compartments
Antique Secretary Desk 1800S
Antique Spanish Secretary Desk
Berkey And Gay Secretary
Bonnet Top Secretary
Borge Mogensen Secretary Desk
Double Bonnet Secretary
Drop Leaf Secretary Desk Antique
Dutch Bombe Secretaire
Erling Torvits Secretary Desk
Herman Miller Secretary
Maddox Secretary Desk
Maddox Secretary