Antique Secretaire Furniture
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South German Biedermeier Secretary in Walnut, circa 1825
Located in Darmstadt, DE
highly decorative example of high-quality Biedermeier furniture.
Category
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Brass
$6,508 Sale Price
20% Off
19th Century Danish Mahogany Secretary Bureau
Located in Round Top, TX
19th-century Danish secretary or "bureau" crafted in mahogany veneer with bowfront cabinet doors and refined proportions. The pull-out desk opens to reveal an elaborate interior fitt...
Category
Mid-19th Century Danish Biedermeier Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Velvet, Felt, Mirror
18th Century German Baroque Inlaid Marquetry Secretary Bureau
Located in Round Top, TX
18th-century German secretary or "bureau" crafted from walnut, featuring extensive marquetry. The inlaid decoration continues across the façade, with contrasting lighter woods used o...
Category
Late 18th Century German Baroque Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Brass
18th Century George III Quartersawn Oak Slant-Front Bureau / Desk
Located in Houston, TX
This handsome George III slant-front bureau, dating to the late 18th century (circa 1780), is a quintessential example of English provincial craftsmanship. Constructed from solid oa...
Category
18th Century English George III Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Oak
Mid-19th Century Danish Biedermeier Secretary Bureau
Located in Round Top, TX
Mid-19th-century Danish Biedermeier secretary or "bureau" crafted in birch with a beautifully figured veneer. The upper cabinet features concave and convex doors, while the roll-top ...
Category
Mid-19th Century Danish Biedermeier Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Leather, Birch
19th Century Swedish Oak Ladies’ Writing Desk Secretary
Located in Round Top, TX
Swedish oak ladies’ writing desk or secretary featuring a Bombay-curved lower chest with three drawers. The side panels are carved with an X motif, and the case rests on a scalloped ...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Baroque Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Iron
Early 19th Century Danish Mahogany Empire Inlaid Secretary Bureau
Located in Round Top, TX
Early 19th-century Danish Empire secretary bureau crafted in mahogany veneer with both bowfront and concave cabinet doors. The piece features elaborate inlay and marquetry throughout...
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Empire Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Leather
1750s Spanish Bargueño with Marquetry and Red Tortoiseshell Plaques
Located in Marbella, ES
An elegant antique Spanish chest, richly decorated with filigree marquetry in gold tones and red tortoiseshell panels inlaid on each drawer front. Its original wrought iron fittings ...
Category
18th Century Spanish Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Danish Black Painted Oak Secretary Bureau
Located in Round Top, TX
19th-century baroque oak secretary with a newer professionally applied black painted exterior finish, lightly distressed to reveal natural wood beneath. The interior is painted a con...
Category
Mid-19th Century Danish Baroque Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Early 19th Century White Danish Oak Secretary Bureau
Located in Round Top, TX
Early 19th-century Danish oak secretary bureau with a newer professionally applied antique white painted exterior finish and a contrasting muted gray interior. The serpentine front e...
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Rococo Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Antique Late Victorian Petite Oak Slant Top Secretary Ladies Writing Desk 28"
Located in Dayton, OH
Late Victorian Oak Ladies Secretary Deks, Circa 1900. Features a carved backspash over shelf and slant front. Desk opens to a work surface, pigeon holes and one interior drawer. A...
Category
Early 1900s American Victorian Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Oak
$1,050 Sale Price
30% Off
George III Bureau Desk or Secretary Chest of Mahogany from the 18th Century
Located in Austin, TX
A fine George III slant top desk or bureau secretary chest of patinated mahogany, c.1770 - an inlaid slant front drops to reveal a series of small drawers and document compartments, ...
Category
18th Century English George III Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass
New England birch secretary / slant front desk, 18th century
Located in Houston, TX
This is an exceptionally handsome piece of early American craftsmanship. This 18th-century slant-front desk, crafted from warm birchwood, showcases the robust elegance and functional...
Category
18th Century Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Birch
Italian, Liguria, LXIV Period Firwood 3-Drawer Secretary, early 18th century
Located in Atlanta, GA
having a small rectangular top with an flip-down front opening to reveal an interior writing surface with storage drawers and wells atop a conforming case housing two pull-out suppor...
Category
Early 18th Century Italian Louis XIV Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Fir
Circa 1680, William
Mary Period, English Walnut
Inlaid Escritoire
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
specialize in period 18th and 19th century English and Country French furniture, fine art, silver, porcelain
Category
1680s English William and Mary Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Metal
Important Art Deco Console by Jules Leleu
By Jules Leleu
Located in Roma, IT
that characterized Leleu’s celebrated furniture of the era.
Exotic wood veneer with gilt bronze
Category
1920s French Art Deco Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Amboyna
Antique Austrian Flame Mahogany Biedermeier Secretary Desk Cabinet Chest 1860
Located in Portland, OR
A fine antique Austrian Biedermeier flame mahogany secretary chest, circa 1860.
The cabinet having a stepped cornice with circular turned finial brackets at each corner, the top of t...
Category
1860s Austrian Biedermeier Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Table Top Escritoire with Revolving Tabernacle
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
fairly crude pearl cross.
A very attractive piece of furniture in walnut marquetry with many drawers and
Category
18th Century William and Mary Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
A fine late 18th c to early 19th c William and Mary black Chinoiserie secretary
Located in Dallas, TX
A very fine late 18th century William and Mary black lacquered secretary. Fine Chinoiserie hand decorated scenes. Fine quality . Excellent condition
Category
Early 19th Century English William and Mary Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Antique Neoclassical Renaissance Revival Flame Mahogany Drop Front Secretary
Located in Big Flats, NY
Antique Neoclassical Renaissance Revival Flame Mahogany Drop Front Secretary Desk With Carved Pulls C1850
Measures - 82 1/4" x 49 3/4" x 21 3/4"
An antique Neoclassical Renaissance...
Category
Mid-19th Century Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
18th C. Venetian Secretary Hutch with a Beautiful Hand-Painted Finish
Located in Atlanta, GA
An Italian Venetian tall secretary cabinet from the 18th century. This antique 7.75 feet tall (approximate) cabinet from Venice, Italy, boasts a beautifully hand-painted and embellis...
Category
18th Century Italian Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Wood
European two-part vitrine cabinet with fine carvings, circa 1790
Located in Atlanta, GA
An elegant European two-part vitrine cabinet dating to circa 1790, distinguished by its refined proportions and finely carved architectural details. The upper section features two gl...
Category
18th Century Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Glass, Wood
Antique Oak Drop Front Secretary Desk Bookcase Bookshelf Console 65"
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique Early American style secretary desk / bookcase / writing bureau / larkin / chalet . Made of oak featuring a serpentine design with drop front that opens to multiple cubbies ...
Category
Early 20th Century American Colonial Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Oak
$822 Sale Price
30% Off
Gustavian Secretary Desk in Black-Painted Pine – Sweden, c. 1790
Located in Kastrup, DK
Gustavian secretary desk crafted in black-painted pine with brass fittings.
The upper section features a broken, architecturally structured pediment with a boldly profiled cornice, ...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Brass
20th Century Swedish Birchwood Writing Agency - Chest Attributed to Axel Larsson
By Axel Larsson
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
architect and a furniture designer born in 1898, in Medelpad, Sweden and passed away in 1975, in Sweden
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish Art Deco Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass
Early 19th Century Swedish Pine Secretary Bureau
Located in Round Top, TX
Early 19th Century Swedish Pine Secretary Bureau
Early 19th-century Swedish pine secretary featuring exceptional hand-carved details and the warm, deep patina of 200 years of use. Th...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Country Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Pine
Large antique 18th-century English oak chest of drawers / desk / chest with secr
Located in Harderwijk, NL
This antique English oak secretary features a beautiful stepped interior and dates from the 18th century. It can be easily placed in almost any interior, in the room of your choice. ...
Category
18th Century Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Oak
Antique Quartersawn Oak Side by Side Secretary Desk Bookcase Curio Cabinet
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique American Victorian side by side / secretary desk / bookcase / display case. Made of quartersawn oak featuring Art Nouveau styling with curio cabinet next to a drop front secr...
Category
Late 19th Century American Victorian Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Oak
$1,120 Sale Price
30% Off
Antique Georgian Flame Mahogany Slant Front Secretary Writing Desk Bureau
Located in Dayton, OH
Exquisite antique early 19th century secretary writing storage desk. Made of flame mahogany featuring Georgian styling with three large dovetailed drawers and a drop front that open...
Category
19th Century American American Colonial Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Birdseye Maple, Mahogany
$2,625 Sale Price
30% Off
19th Century Swedish Folk Art Secretary in Original Paint
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
Early 19th Century Swedish folk art secretary in original paint.
With a curved pediment, below two doors opening to storage. Below fall front desk opening to drawers and pigeon halls...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Antique Swedish Secretary in Gray with White Highlights
Located in Atlanta, GA
An intriguing and unusually formed antique Swedish secretary, crafted in pinewood and finished in a soft gray with subtle white highlights. This piece features a beautifully milled s...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Pine
French 19th Century Inlaid Walnut Louis Philippe Fall Front Secretary
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Elegant and functional French 19th Century secretaire desk with stunning inlaid walnut marquetry
Category
19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Louis Philippe Secretary Desk, Second Half of the 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Louis Philippe secretary desk veneered in mahogany, featuring a flat writing flap, two-door lower cabinet, and a top drawer. The piece stands on ball-and-claw feet that transition in...
Category
Late 19th Century German Louis Philippe Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
White-Painted Secretary Desk with Glazed Cabinet, 18th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Elegant secretary desk with glazed upper cabinet and a gracefully broken arched pediment. The softly patinated finish in pale blue-gray lends the piece a charming antique character. ...
Category
18th Century German French Provincial Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Baroque Secretary with Upper Cabinet in Walnut, 18th/19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Baroque fall-front secretary veneered in walnut, featuring a commode base with three drawers and a slightly convex front. The upper cabinet has two doors and a shaped cornice, fitted...
Category
18th Century German Baroque Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Antique English Secretary Campaign Chest With Brass Hardware
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Diminutive Antique English mahogany campaign secretary chest with four drawers, the upper of which opens to reveal a secretary with cubbies, 3 shallow drawers and gold tooled leather...
Category
19th Century English Campaign Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Antique Early 19th Century Plantation Desk Secretary + Bookcase Hutch Cabinet
Located in Dayton, OH
An exceptional mid to early 19th century primitive American Plantation writing desk / hutch / cupboard / cabinet. Made from Pine and Poplar with a cherry finish. Featuring two piec...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Poplar, Pine
$2,450 Sale Price
30% Off
Antique 19th Century Biedermeier Secretary Desk
Located in Halle, DE
Secretary from the late Biedermeier period, approx. 1845-1860. With 4 lockable drawers and a writing flap. Behind the flap are 15 smaller drawers and a small door veneered with burl ...
Category
Mid-19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Wood
French 19th Century Walnut Secretary Desk
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A wonderful walnut secretary desk from 19th century France. The desk can be separated into two bodies: a lower writing surface, and the upper glass-front cabinet. The top cabinet ha...
Category
19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Walnut, Leather, Glass
18th Century Danish Oak Secretary Bureau, Painted Black
Located in Round Top, TX
18th-century Danish oak secretary with a newer professionally applied layered black exterior finish and a contrasting dusky blue interior with gray undertones. The surface is lightly...
Category
18th Century Danish Rococo Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Oak
French Louis XV Secretary Desk, 1750
Located in Leimen, DE
Step back in time with our exquisite 18th-century Louis XV Secretary Desk, a true masterpiece of French craftsmanship. This elegant piece of history stands gracefully on four slender...
Category
1750s French Louis XV Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
George III Double Secretary Bookcase of Mahogany
Located in Austin, TX
A fine English double secretary bookcase of mahogany from the late Georgian era, c.1780, featuring a crown moulded top with two astragal glazed doors, each side opening to four long ...
Category
Late 18th Century English George III Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Metal
George III Bureau Desk or Secretary Chest from the 18th Century
Located in Austin, TX
A fine George III slant top desk or bureau secretary chest of elm, oak and padouk woods, c.1780 - an inlaid slant front drops to reveal a series of small drawers and document compart...
Category
18th Century English George III Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass
George IIII Bureau Desk or Secretary Chest of Mahogany from the 18th Century
Located in Austin, TX
A fine George III slant top desk or bureau secretary chest of patinated mahogany, c.1770, in the Sheraton style.
An inlaid slant front drops to reveal a series of small drawers and ...
Category
18th Century English George III Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass
Early 19th Century Danish Blue Painted Pine Secretary Bureau
Located in Round Top, TX
Early 19th-century Danish pine secretary with newer professionally applied layered blue painted exterior and contrasting steel-gray painted interior. Light distressing reveals natura...
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Baroque Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Pine
CIRCA 1900 VENETIAN CHINOISERIE DECORATED PARCEL GILT BUREAU BOOKCASE DRAWERs
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
provide you with the exact price
A super looking and well made, utilitarian piece of art furniture. This
Category
Early 1900s Italian Chinoiserie Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Hardwood
Federal Cherrywood Bureau Cabinet / Desk, circa 1790
Located in Houston, TX
This Federal Cherrywood Bureau cabinet dates to 1790. It is a beautifully preserved example of early American Federal craftsmanship. The piece combines graceful proportions, warm p...
Category
Late 19th Century American Federal Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Cherry
Biedermeier Secretary w. Transfer Decoration, J. G. Hiltl (1771–1845), Mun. 1825
By Johann Georg Hiltl
Located in Greding, DE
Biedermeier secretary veneered in mahogany with thuja burl and green-patinated surfaces, adorned with gilt-bronze mounts. The writing flap features a transfer-printed architectural i...
Category
1820s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Gustavian-style Secretary Bookcase
Located in Solebury, PA
A stunning 19th-century Gustavian painted secretary bookcase, adorned with an elegant arched top above two matching glazed doors, each embellished with six delicate mullions and gene...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Paint
Baroque Fall-Front Secretary with Marquetry Surface, 18th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Small Baroque fall-front secretary on elegantly curved S-shaped legs, featuring four drawers and a central cabinet door. The surfaces are finely decorated with marquetry in a contras...
Category
18th Century Baroque Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Danish Blue Painted Rococo Secretary Desk in the Manner of Mathias Ortmann
Located in Kastrup, DK
Beautiful Danish Rococo secretary desk executed in the manner of cabinetmaker Mathias Ortmann (1692–1757).
The piece features an attractive, slightly dusty blue paint with fine patin...
Category
Mid-18th Century Danish Rococo Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Mid 19th Century Swedish Blue Painted Pine Secretary
Located in Round Top, TX
Mid 19th-century Swedish pine secretary with newer professionally applied layered blue exterior painted finish. Upper glass panes allow for beautiful display of any collection held w...
Category
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Pine
19th Century Danish Biedermeier Bleached Mahogany Secretary
Located in Viterbo, VT
of the grain of the bleached wood are just stunning. This is a piece of furniture that is not only
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Biedermeier Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Italian Venetian Secretary, 18th Century
Located in CH
Italian Venetian Secretary (Secretaire / Bureau Cabinet)
18th Century
An 18th-century Italian
Category
18th Century Italian Rococo Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
19th Century English Oak Secretary
Located in Charlottesville, VA
English oak secretary with an upper cabinet fitted with geometric glazed doors and a shaped cornice. The fall-front opens to an interior with small drawers, pigeonholes, a central in...
Category
19th Century English Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Glass, Oak
George I Cabinet on Chest of Figured Walnut from the 18th Century
Located in Austin, TX
A fine large English period George I cabinet on chest of patinated walnut from the 18th century.
Featuring burr walnut-figured veneers and attractive brass hardware throughout.
The...
Category
18th Century English George I Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass
Small Antique Italian Drop-Front Scriban Desk In Original Paint And Gilt Accents
Located in London, Park Royal
Circa late 19th century, this small Italian Scriban carries the gentle character of age with its original painted finish and beautifully balanced proportions. The exterior is rendere...
Category
Late 19th Century Louis XV Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Wood
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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 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 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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