Antique Secretaire Furniture
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19th Century Empire Drop-Front Oak Secretary Desk or Abattant, Chest France
Located in Miami, FL
Secretaire a abattant, France circa 1820, Biedermeier period. The outside with fall front and two
Category
Early 19th Century French Biedermeier Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Louis XVI Secretary Desk, South German 1770-80, walnut
Located in Leimen, DE
furniture design.
This antique bureau features three spacious drawers, two small drawers and a writing flap
Category
1770s German Louis XVI Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Secretary Swedish Rococo. Black
Located in Kastrup, DK
characteristic Rococo form with a wavy edge and elegantly curved legs.
A beautiful piece of furniture with an
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Iron
19th Century Swedish Pine Secretary Bureau
Located in Round Top, TX
19th-century Swedish pine secretary featuring traditional carved fluted diamonds on the upper doors.
This secretary has been given a newer professionally layered painted finish—black...
Category
19th Century Swedish Neoclassical Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Pine
18th Century Danish Baroque Secretary Desk in Faux-Marble
Located in Kastrup, DK
Impressive Danish Baroque secretary desk in grey-blue faux-marble decoration. The piece is constructed in two parts and is both architecturally and decoratively designed, featuring a...
Category
Mid-18th Century Danish Baroque Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Louis XV Miniature Secretary
Located in Queens, NY
French Louis XV-style (19th Century) vitrine in the form of a miniature secretary with roll top and clear glass panels.
Category
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Glass
George I Secretary Bureau or Escritoire of Figured Walnut from the 18th Century
Located in Austin, TX
A fine English period George I large secretary bureau escritoire - or scriptor - of patinated walnut from the 18th century.
Featuring burr walnut-figured veneers framed in broad cros...
Category
18th Century English George I Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass
Regency Period Mahogany Davenport Circa 1810 With Mechanism
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Superb and rare Regency mahogany Davenport desk, circa 1810.
This small English piece can serve as a writing desk or a superb display cabinet of exceptional quality.
Such fine pieces...
Category
Early 19th Century British Regency Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Antique George III Secretary with Bookcase c. Late 18th Century
Located in Westfield, MA
English furniture. Crafted from richly figured mahogany, it features a fall front desk with fitted
Category
Late 18th Century English George III Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
French 19th Century Ebonized
Inlay Secretary
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This French Louis XVI style drop front secretary from the 1800s has impressive etched brass inlay on its exterior, which is made even more dramatic by the deep ebonized finish. The t...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
Louis XVI Satin Secretary Stamped Conrad Mauter In Paris
By Conrad Mauter
Located in BARSAC, FR
be replaced on request by our leather craftsman.
Furniture supplied with a certificate of
Category
1780s French Louis XVI Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Antique English secretary desk, 18th century
Located in Linkebeek, BE
secretraire - desk - commode
Measures : 76x47 cm H : 100
Open Hutch Top : d:80cm H:73cm
An elegant antique English drop-front secretary desk, featuring three large drawers and two s...
Category
18th Century English Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Wood
18th century Rococo Secretary Desk, Germany 1750
Located in Leimen, DE
furniture collection.
Dimensions: W: 123 cm / 48.5 in H: 110.5 cm / 43.5 in D: 61.5 cm / 24 in Writing
Category
1750s German Rococo Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Kingwood
Chippendale Style Bombe Secretary
Located in Woodbury, CT
Boston style bombe secretary, late 19th-20th C., desk and bookcase on frame in mahogany, sloped pediment with dentil over bookcase, two beveled glass mirrored doors centering Corinth...
Category
Late 19th Century American Chippendale Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
George III Mahogany Fall-Front Desk
Located in Charlottesville, VA
George III mahogany fall-front desk with a fitted interior of small drawers, open compartments, and a central cupboard flanked by turned columns. The close-up views show the simple i...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Original 18th Century Venetian Secretary Desk Bookcase burled walnut with inlaid
By Bassano
s Ebanisteria
Located in Vigonza, Padua
What makes this piece unique and special is its originali twist to the characteristic Secretaire, a
Category
Early 18th Century Italian Baroque Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
English Regency Mahogany Fall Front Secretary w/ Bookcase on Splay Feet, C. 1800
Located in Charleston, SC
English Regency Mahogany fall front secretary bookcase with carved molded edge cornice, flanking hinged diamond mullion glass doors revealing six interior adjustable shelves, interio...
Category
Early 1800s English Regency Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Early 18th Century Queen Anne Japanned Secretary Bookcase
Located in Essex, MA
Early 18th Century Queen Anne Japanned Secretary Bookcase, possibly Continental. Cartouche double arched top. Bevelled mirror doors. Bun Feet. Red lacquer Chinoiserie interior.
...
Category
Early 18th Century English Queen Anne Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Hardwood
Secretary With 4 Drawers In Polished Oak
Green Felt Cloth With Brass Handles
Located in Lejre, DK
Antique secretary from the 1820s. Oak with green felt cloth and brass handles. 4 drawers.
— Origin: Denmark
— Period: 1820s
— Materials: Oak, green felt cloth
brass handles
— ...
Category
1820s Danish Mid-Century Modern Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Brass
20th Century Inlaid Wood Italian Bureau Desk, 1920s
Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont
Italian bureau from the first half of the 20th century. Antique-style furniture carved and inlaid
Category
1920s Italian Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Baroque Secretary à Trois Corps in Walnut, Mid-18th Century
Located in Greding, DE
George slaying the dragon.
An exceptional piece of Baroque furniture, showcasing superb craftsmanship
Category
Mid-18th Century German Baroque Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Louis XV period marquetry secretary from the mid-18th century
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
furniture with its sinuous silhouette and refined proportions. The curved front rests on arched cabriole
Category
18th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
English Chippendale Style Painted Goddard Chest Secretary Writing Desk
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique circa 1930s Goddard chest / writing desk featuring a drop front door that opens to multiple cubbies, three drawers and paw / claw feet. Yellowing / off-white color to exteri...
Category
Early 20th Century American Chippendale Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Hardwood, Paint
$770 Sale Price
30% Off
Secretary With Four Drawers In Mahogany With Intarsia
Flame Structure
Located in Lejre, DK
Antique chiffonier from the 1840s. Mahogany with inlay, flame structure and 4 drawers. H: 150 cm, W: 101 cm, D: 52 cm. Classic joinery.
— Origin: Europe (presumably Denmark)
— Perio...
Category
1840s Danish Mid-Century Modern Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Antique Renaissance Revival Victorian Carved Walnut
Burl Secretary c1890
Located in Big Flats, NY
Victorian furniture, crafted around 1880. Made from rich walnut and burl, it features intricate carvings and
Category
Late 19th Century Renaissance Revival Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
$2,760 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique Biedermeier Secretary Desk, Germany 1820
Located in Leimen, DE
functionality—perfect for refined interiors and collectors of early 19th-century European furniture.
Category
1810s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
18th Century Swedish Beechwood Herrbyrå, Chiffonje - Mens Writing Agency, Chest
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Scandinavian secretaire is composed with three large drawers and one small one. The inside consists many
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Metal
18th Century Mahogany Secretary Bureau
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Superb Georgian period secretary bureau from the late 18th century in mahogany.
superb quality desk with a surprising interior. It features a magnificent theate interior with a sma...
Category
18th Century British Georgian Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Small Early 18th Century Walnut Bureau On Legs
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
been inspected and attended to by our specialist antique furniture restorers and received a natural wax
Category
Early 18th Century English George I Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
18th Century Original Painted Writing Desk Secretary, Sweden
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A late 18th Century Folk Art Baroque Scandinavian original painted writing desk secretary. This unique antique storage piece from Sweden features mounted original iron handles as wel...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Baroque Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Georgian Mahogany Slant Front Secretary Desk Adam Style Slant-Front Bureau
By Kittinger
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a Georgian mahogany slant front secretary desk Adam style slant-front bureau.
Dimensions:
Cabinet 37.88" H x 35.25" W x 18.88" D.
Desk 33.63" W x 22.63" D ...
Category
Late 19th Century British Georgian Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
18th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretary
Located in Huntington, NY
A two part Swedish Gustavian secretary. The bonnet top consists of an impressive overhanging arched pediment cornice. Upper section has three shelves and two small drawers. Lower sec...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Iron
Impressive Antique Slant Top Secretary Bureau
Located in Bridgeport, CT
An antique carved and finished slant top desk with handsome even grained Mahogany, original brass batwing pulls, diamond accent key holes and the top opening to reveal myriad nooks, ...
Category
19th Century Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Louis XVI Folding Secretary Made of Marquetry Topped with a Carrara Marble
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This beautiful marquetry drop-leaf secretary is made of an oak frame, opening with a drawer, a drop-leaf door and two lower leaves with a Carrara marble slab on top.
This is a Fren...
Category
Early 1800s French Louis XVI Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Carrara Marble
18th Century Black Swedish Gustavian One Part Pine Bureau - Antique Secretary
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A black, antique Swedish Gustavian one part bureau, secretaire made of hand crafted painted
Category
Mid-18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Bronze
19th Century Empire Drop-Front Oak Secretary Desk or Abattant, Chest France
Located in Miami, FL
Secretaire a abattant, France circa 1820, Biedermeier period. The outside with fall front and two
Category
Early 19th Century French Biedermeier Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Early 19th century Chinoiserie Secretary Bookcase
Located in Charlottesville, VA
An early 19th C. English red lacquer and gilt-decorated Chinoiserie secretary bookcase. The upper cabinet features arched mirrored doors opening to shelved storage, over a slant-fron...
Category
Early 19th Century English George III Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Wood, Lacquer
Biedermeier Desk, circa 1820
Located in Greding, DE
Biedermeier desk in walnut, featuring a wide central drawer and front supports in the form of full columns, with flat pilaster legs at the back. The piece displays the elegant simpli...
Category
1820s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Pair of 19th Century Anglo-Dutch Bureaux
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Pair of 19th Century Anglo-Dutch bureaux.
Made of burr birch and padouk wood. The shapely design shows off exceptional craftsmanship. With a beautifully carved apron base and feet. O...
Category
19th Century Dutch Baroque Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Birch, Padouk
$20,474 / set
18th Century French Kingwood Bureau De Dame
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
18th Century French kingwood bureau de dame.
With gilt bronze decorative mounts.
Category
18th Century French French Provincial Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Bureau / Secretary In Burl Walnut
Located in Kastrup, DK
Early 18th century burl walnut veneered bureau cabinet.
The upper section with swan neck top over double doors, the lower section with a sloping-front opening to reveal a cupboard an...
Category
18th Century Danish Baroque Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Brass
An Exceptional Burl Walnut Bureau Bookcase
Located in Lyndhurst, NJ
Early 18th century burl walnut veneered bureau bookcase, the swan neck pediment flanking a turned and reeded urn, surmounted by four additional urn finials over double dome doors wit...
Category
1720s European Neoclassical Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Brass
18th Century Swedish Gustavian Two Part Painted Secretary
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Grand late 18th century Swedish gustavian period two-part secretaire cabinet or bookcase crafted
Category
18th Century European Gustavian Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Iron
19th Century German Biedermeier Two Part Pine Bureau - Antique Secretary
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
crafted Pinewood, in good condition. The upper part of the secretaire is composed with a transom-glazed
Category
Mid-19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Glass, Pine
Hand-Painted Baroque Secretary, 18th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Baroque secretary with three drawers and slant-front writing flap decorated with recessed panels. Fitted with iron side handles and brass mounts. Below the upper section are two pull...
Category
18th Century German Baroque Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Iron
Biedermeier Secretary, likely Berlin, early 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
A representative Biedermeier secretary featuring full column supports with fire-gilt bases and capitals. The case is veneered in bookmatched mahogany and hand-polished. Resting on sq...
Category
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Aesthetic Movement Spoon Carved Ebonized Mahogany Secretary C1890
Located in Big Flats, NY
Aesthetic Movement Spoon Carved Ebonized Mahogany Secretary C1890
Measures - 65.5"H x 32.5"W x 16.75"D
This secretary from the Aesthetic Movement, dating to circa 1890, showcases the...
Category
19th Century Aesthetic Movement Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
$1,960 Sale Price
20% Off
Late 19th Century Small Ladies’ Writing Desk
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
Masterfully Crafted Small Ladies’ Writing Desk
A superbly detailed ladies’ secretary desk, richly decorated with intricate marquetry in walnut, maple, ash, and various other fine wo...
Category
1890s French Louis XVI Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Baroque Bureau / secretary In Walnut from Northern Germany
Located in Kastrup, DK
An elegant and architecturally refined 18th-century Baroque secretary desk crafted in oak and beautifully veneered with mirror-cut walnut in a classic and distinctive Baroque design....
Category
Mid-18th Century German Baroque Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Baroque Bureau / Secretary in Walnut
Located in Kastrup, DK
Beautiful baroque secretary desk with finely mirror-cut oak veneer and walnut root veneer.
The desk is in two parts: the lower section has three drawers with a straight break-front a...
Category
Mid-18th Century Danish Baroque Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Brass
$8,068 Sale Price
35% Off
Louis XVI Style Gilt Bronze and Mahogany Secretary Desk
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
of late 18th to early 19th century French furniture. Constructed from rich mahogany and finely
Category
Early 1900s French Louis XVI Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
19th Century French Louis Philippe Period Stripped Pine Secretary
Located in Dallas, TX
Handcrafted during the 19th century, this 19th Century French Louis Philippe Period Stripped Pine Secretary is ideal for the casual decor with its clean lines and sublime functionali...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Swedish Gustavian Period 1790s Painted Slant Front Secretary with Three Drawers
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Gustavian period painted wood secretary from the late 18th century, with slant front desk, multiple drawers, dark painted interior, three drawers in the façade and rustic c...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Louis XVI Secretary Desk, France, 1780-1800
Located in Belmont, MA
, adding a unique and sophisticated touch.
Atop the secrétaire sits a beautiful rose-colored marble slab
Category
1780s French Louis XVI Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Kingwood, Rosewood
Dutch Secretary Desk, Around 1800, Mahogany
Located in Belmont, MA
Dutch secretary desk, Netherlands, around 1800.
This elegantly curved secretary desk has three spacious drawers in the lower part. The writing flap opens to a beautiful interior w...
Category
1790s Dutch Baroque Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
$4,500 Sale Price
43% Off
Baroque Secretary in Provençal Style, 18th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Hand-painted baroque secretary, featuring a three-drawer commode base, slant-front writing flap, and a two-door cabinet top crowned by a broken pediment. The paint finish—light gray ...
Category
18th Century German Baroque Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Italian, Lombardia, LXIV Period Carobwood Veneer 2-Piece Secretary Cabinet, 1725
Located in Atlanta, GA
this fantastic 2-part secretary cabinet is veneered entirely in a mix of carob-wood, walnut and band inlaid and is a rare example of the workmanship of Norhern Italian craftsmen borr...
Category
1720s Italian Louis XIV Antique Secretaire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
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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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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.
- 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.
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