Antique Secretaire Furniture
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Rare French Marquetry and Gilt Bronze Secretaire with Architecture Scenes
Located in London, GB
tradition and repute, our secretaire was purchased from the estate of the Parisian apartment of Sultan
Category
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Carrara Marble, Bronze
Walnut Carved Secretaire Desk from H. Dufin, France, 19th Century
By Honoré Dufin
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
, embossed carvings, a wide variety of different motifs within a single piece of furniture.
Holly and
Category
1870s French Renaissance Revival Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Fine Antique French Louis XV Marquetry Rosewood Ormolu Secretaire Abattant 1880
Located in Portland, OR
secretaire abattant, circa 1880.
The serpentine shaped secretary is modeled as a semainier ( seven drawer
Category
1880s French Louis XV Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Bonheur du Jour Secretaire in Lous-Seize-Style, Late 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Two-door Bonheur du Jour ladies' secretaire standing on tall, tapered legs with brass sabots
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
18th Century, French Louis XVI Inlaid Wood Secretaire with Marble Top
Located in IT
18th century, French Louis XVI inlaid wood secretaire with marble top and gilt bronzes.
This
Category
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Mid-19th Century Louis XVI St. Secrétaire in Arbalette Shape
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A French mid 19th century Louis XVI st. tulipwood Secretaire. The secretaire has a fine quarter
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Antique French Napoleon III Inlaid Ormolu Marble Top Secretaire Desk Chest 1860
Located in Portland, OR
An exceptional French antique Napoleon III inlaid ebonized & ormolu mounted marble top secretaire
Category
Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Early 19th Century German or Danish Secretaire, Mahogany, Biedermeier, c. 1815
Located in Greven, DE
Dimensions: H x W x D: 137 x 88 x 45 cm
Description:
Piece of furniture standing on pointed legs with four
Category
1810s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Birch, Mahogany, Maple
Maison Gouffé Paris French Transitional Louis XV XVI Secrétaire Bookcase Cabinet
By Maison Gouffé, Pierre Gouffe
Located in Forney, TX
Violette secrétaire bookcase by renowned Parisian cabinetmaker Maison Gouffé. circa 1925
Maison Gouffé has
Category
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Directoire Bureau a Cylindre - France, circa 1800, Mahogany Secretaire or Desk
Located in Greven, DE
restorations. Once such irretrievable mirrors are lost, the piece of furniture loses its character and, in my
Category
Early 1800s French Directoire Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
Fine French Louis XV Bureau Dos D
Ane/ Secretaire/ Desk
Located in Westport, CT
Fine and elegant French Louis XV Bureau D'Os Dane in walnut adorned sparsely with floral marquetry inlay to its fall front top above three drawers finishing on cabriole legs and bron...
Category
18th Century and Earlier French Louis XV Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Eary 19th Century German Empire Secretaire with Ormolu Bustes, Berlin c. 1811
Located in Greven, DE
early 19th century in very delicate dimensions.
The piece of furniture stands on cast iron lion's paws
Category
Early 19th Century German Empire Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
French Art Déco Secretaire Black High Gloss Lacquer Nickel Plated Fittings 1925
By René Prou
Located in Salzburg, AT
secretaire made of solid sycamore wood with a high-quality finish.
The secretaire stands on sabre legs with a
Category
1920s Italian Art Deco Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Metal
Italian 18th Century Walnut Slant-Front Secretaire with Ash Inlay and Marquetry
Located in Atlanta, GA
secretaire is perfect for those who appreciate fine antique furniture that combines functionality with beauty
Category
18th Century Italian Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Ash, Walnut
Inlaid Drop-Leaf Secretaire Fir Walnut Slab Veneer, Italy, 18th Century
Located in Milano, IT
Veronese drop-leaf secretaire date back to mid-18th century. Walnut burl slab veneered fir with
Category
18th Century Italian Other Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Silver
Secretaire à la Bourgogne, Transformation Table, Louis XV Style, 19th Century
Located in Greven, DE
Description:
A chest of drawers-like piece of furniture standing on curved legs with fine gilded fittings in
Category
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
An Art Deco Fall Front Secretaire with Satinwood and Macassar Ebony Inlay
Located in Forest Row, East Sussex
An Art Deco fall front secretaire cabinet. Veneered satinwood and macassar ebony on solid oak with
Category
1920s Art Deco Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Macassar, Oak, Satinwood
19th C. French Louis XV Carved Oak “Secrétaire à Abattant” with Tavern Scenes
Located in Dallas, TX
Hand-carved in northern France circa 1860, this antique "Secrétaire à Abattant" is a striking
Category
Mid-19th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Leather, Oak
19th Century Transforming Table, Ladies Desk, Secretaire, Walnut, France ca 1860
Located in Greven, DE
x 53 cm
Description:
Quite extraordinary small piece of transforming furniture made of solid
Category
Mid-19th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Very Fine 19th Century French Louis XVI Marquetry Secretaire Abattant by Diehl.
By Charles-Guillaume Diehl
Located in Dallas, TX
A very fine 19th century Louis XVI marquetry inlay secretaire A Abattant by Charles Diehl. Kingwood
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Antique French Charles X Secretary/Secrétaire à Abattant in Mahogany, c. 1825
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
A Charles X secrétaire à abattant in mahogany, France, circa 1825. Fall-front has original counter
Category
1820s French Charles X Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
Spanish Late 18th Century Pine Secretaire with Slanted Desk and Geometric Panels
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Spanish pine tall secretaire from the late 18th century, with carved date, slanted desk and
Category
Late 18th Century Spanish Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Pine
Louis XVI Style Parquetry, Gilt-Bronze and Lacquer Mounted Petit Secretaire Cabi
By Alfred Emmanuel Louis Beurdeley
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A Fine Louis XVI Style Parquetry, Gilt-Bronze and Lacquer Mounted Petit Secretaire Cabinet
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Rare Victorian Flamed Hardwood Library Bookcase Secretaire Desk Chest of Drawers
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
built in secrataire desk and chest of drawers
A good looking and multifunctional piece of furniture
Category
19th Century English Victorian Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Hardwood
$2,627 Sale Price
30% Off
French 18th C. Louis XV/XVI Transitional Ormolu Mounted Secretaire by RVLC
By Roger Vandercruse dit Lacroix
Located in PARIS, FR
A Louis XV/XVI transitional ormolu mounted tulipwood secretaire by RVLC
Rare and elegant secretary
Category
18th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
$30,177 Sale Price
25% Off
French Secretaire Cabinet With Leather Bound Doors And Drawers for Restoration
Located in Bridgeport, CT
An extraordinary 19th Century French osecretaire a deux corps with a tall separately made upper cabinet. The top with three curved drawers over double doors with French leather bound...
Category
19th Century French French Provincial Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Leather, Wood, Paper
Early 18th Century French Petite Secretaire or Bureau with Projecting Cabinet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This early 18th-century French dark wood secretary or fall-front bureau cabinet with charming proportions. Featuring a carved projecting cornice and arched front, original glass mirr...
Category
18th Century and Earlier French Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Wood
19th Century French Marble-Top Secretaire Bronze Decoration Napoleon III Period
Located in Sofia, BG
French chiffonier forming secretary, inlaid with violet wood and rosewood, flap opening with four drawers with red marble top. Falling cuffs and keyholes in gilded bronze.
Napoleon ...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Secretaire Furniture
French 19th C. Second Empire Secrétaire À Abattant with Gold Ormolu Mounts
Located in Savannah, GA
This extraordinary French Second Empire period secre´taire a' abattan features flame mahogany, gilt brass-mounts and retains its original dark grey speckled granite top. Decorated th...
Category
1850s French Napoleon III Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Granite, Brass, Ormolu
Antique English Jacobean Carved Burl
Mixed Wood Drop Down Secretary
By Berkey
Gay Furniture
Located in Southampton, NJ
An early 20th C. Jacobean style bar cabinet Secretary with drop down front & three drawers.
Lovingly restored, our refinishers removed 4 layers of paint to surprisingly expose burl &...
Category
Early 20th Century American Jacobean Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Antique Kittinger Spanish Colonial Walnut Fall Front Secretary Desk Barley Twist
By Kittinger Furniture Company
Located in Dayton, OH
Extremely rare 1 of a kind early Kittinger Spanish Colonial fall front secretary or library desk. A Rectangular form made from solid walnut with traditional wrought iron braces betwe...
Category
Early 20th Century Spanish Colonial Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
$3,937 Sale Price
50% Off
18th Century George II Crossbanded Burl Mulberry, Walnut, and Cedar Secretary
Located in Solebury, PA
, authentic patina, and distinguished period character.
The secretary bookcase, or secrétaire, emerged as an
Category
Early 18th Century English George II Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Walnut, Cedar
19th Century George III Mahogany Servants Secretary
Located in Solebury, PA
bookcase section and a lower secretaire chest. These components are united by a harmonious sense of
Category
Early 19th Century English George III Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Gustavian Light Gray Painted Bureau / Secretary 1780 - 80
Located in Kastrup, DK
Elegant and architectural Gustavian bureau / secrétaire in oak with light gray paint. Interior
Category
Late 18th Century Danish Gustavian Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Iron
19th Century Swedish Mahogany Chiffonje, Writing Agency - Cabinet by Karl Johan
By Karl Johan
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
detailed Scandinavian secretaire is composed with three large drawers and one small one on the top. The
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Pinewood Secretary - Antique Scandinavian Desk
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
large drawers. The upper part of the secretaire consist eight storage spaces, enhanced with the original
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Metal
18th Century French Louis XV Walnut Secretary Bookcase from Bordeaux
Located in Dallas, TX
Crafted in Bordeaux, France circa 1760, this exceptional “secrétaire à abattant” with upper display
Category
Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Neoclassical Roll-Top Secretary Desk, France, Late 18th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Refined neoclassical roll-top secrétaire standing on fluted square tapering legs with matching
Category
Late 18th Century French Neoclassical Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Mid-19th Century Swedish Painted Secretary in Pine, circa 1840–1850
Located in Atlanta, GA
elegance of Scandinavian furniture from the period. Crafted in pine and finished in a soft, time-worn white
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Pine
18th Century George III Mahogany Butler
s Secretary
Located in Solebury, PA
section features a pull-out or drop-down secretaire drawer that reveals a neatly fitted interior
Category
Late 18th Century English George III Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Glass, Boxwood, Mahogany, Satinwood, Silk
$12,500 Sale Price
32% Off
Late 18th Century Dutch Louis XVI Secretary With Impressive Marquetry
Located in Greven, DE
"Secrétaire à abattant" from the late 18th century with pleasing proportions.
A piece of furniture with two
Category
Late 18th Century Dutch Louis XVI Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Satinwood
Late 18th-Century Scandinavian Two-Part Secretary, Circa 1790
Located in Atlanta, GA
refined craftsmanship of Northern European furniture from the Gustavian era. The upper section features a
Category
18th Century Scandinavian Gustavian Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Glass, Wood
Antique 19th Century Inlaid Burr Walnut Bonheur de Jour Bureau Desk - Quality
Located in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire
, cracks, scratches, repairs, and wear consistent with functional period furniture. The age and patina of
Category
19th Century British Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
19th Century Russian Antique Veneered Mahogany Secretary by Heinrich Gambs
By Heinrich Daniel Gambs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
keyhole is covered by Mercury macaroon with polished sunbursts. The secretaire represents the First French
Category
Early 19th Century Russian Empire Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass
Biedermeier Secretary Desk, Germany, 19th Century
Located in Wrocław, Poland
prestige in the 19th century – it was used exclusively in luxury furniture.
Secretary with a Pull-Out
Category
19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Pine
Light Gray 18th Century Period Swedish Two Part Secretary with Carved Pediment
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
furniture that would grace many rooms
Category
18th Century Swedish Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Wood
19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Secretary, Cherry and Hungarian Ash, c. 1830
Located in Greven, DE
feet with columns on top. The front of the lower part of the piece of furniture is visually divided
Category
1830s Austrian Biedermeier Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Ash, Cherry
Early 19th Century Danish Black Painted Pine Secretary Bureau
Located in Round Top, TX
. Restored, strong, and stable, this secretary is ready for use as both storage and writing furniture.
Please
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Rococo Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Pine, Paint
Exceptional 18th-Century Italian Slant-Front Bureau / Secretary
Located in Rio De Janeiro, BR
domestic furniture of the late Baroque period. Executed in richly figured walnut, the piece displays a
Category
1750s Italian Baroque Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Wood
American Federal Period Mahogany Secretary Chest with Eagle Inlay, New England
Located in Norwood, NJ
hardware remain intact, with keys included. A fine and functional example of American Federal furniture
Category
Early 19th Century American Federal Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Opulent Secretary in Napoleon III - Makart Style, Vienna, circa 1880
Located in Greven, DE
century. Furniture like this secretary was conceived as an autonomous art object, contributing—together
Category
Late 19th Century Austrian Napoleon III Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Late 18th Century Louis XVI Secretary made of Oak
Located in Dusseldorf, DE
A provincial Louis XVI secretary or ‘secrétaire à abattant’. Classicism, late 18th century. West
Category
Late 18th Century European Louis XVI Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Oak
Secretary With 2 Drawers In Hand Polished Birch
Intasia From 1840s
Located in Lejre, DK
. The furniture is furnished with two drawers and appears as a fine example of the classic 19th century
Category
1840s Danish Other Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Birch
Elegant Louis XV Period French Secretary Desk with Hidden Compartment
Located in Atlanta, GA
of stand-alone furniture that would enhance the decor within in any room.
Category
Early 18th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Early 19th Century French Louis XV Style Secretarie
Located in Atlanta, GA
This Early 19th Century French Louis XV Style Secrétaire showcases a timeless and classy blend of
Category
Early 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Oak
Louis XVI–Style Secretary with Glass Doors, Repainted Black, Blue Interior
Located in Atlanta, GA
A refined Louis XVI–style secretary featuring a classic architectural form and elegant proportions. The upper section is fitted with glazed doors, revealing a contrasting blue-painte...
Category
18th Century Danish Louis XVI Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Pine
Antique Danish Pine Drop-Front Secretary with Upper Cabinet, Mid 19th Century
Located in Odense, DK
A charming Antique Danish drop-front secretary in solid pine, dating to the mid 19th century. The piece features a well-balanced architectural composition with a lower drop-front wri...
Category
Mid-19th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Iron
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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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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