French Abattant
Antique 19th Century French Desks
Marble
Antique 19th Century French Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Secretaires
Kingwood
Antique 18th Century French Louis XV Secretaires
Ormolu
Antique Early 19th Century Italian Empire Secretaires
Marble, Bronze
Antique Early 19th Century French Louis XVI Secretaires
Marble, Bronze
Antique 19th Century French Empire Secretaires
Antique 18th Century and Earlier French Secretaires
Marble, Brass
Antique 19th Century French Secretaires
Bronze
Antique 18th Century and Earlier French Louis XV Secretaires
Marble, Iron, Bronze
Antique 18th Century and Earlier French Desks
Marble
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XV Secretaires
Rosewood
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Secretaires
Belgian Black Marble, Ormolu, Bronze
Early 20th Century French Secretaires
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Secretaires
Brass
Antique 1860s French Napoleon III Secretaires
Rosewood, Walnut
Antique 19th Century French Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century French Louis Philippe Desks
Satinwood, Wood
Antique Early 19th Century French Desks
Mahogany, Wood
Antique Mid-19th Century French Secretaires
Walnut
Antique 19th Century French Louis Philippe Secretaires
Leather, Rosewood, Walnut
Antique 18th Century and Earlier French Louis XVI Secretaires
Marble
Antique 1840s French Secretaires
Walnut
Antique 19th Century French Victorian Secretaires
Antique 1830s French Louis Philippe Secretaires
Marble
Antique Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Secretaires
Carrara Marble
Antique 19th Century French Empire Secretaires
Marble, Ormolu
Antique Late 18th Century French Louis XIV Secretaires
Antique 19th Century Empire Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
Antique 19th Century French Secretaires
Wood, Leather
Antique Early 1800s French Empire Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Secretaires
Marble
Antique Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Secretaires
Kingwood, Wood
Antique 1820s French Napoleon III Secretaires
Leather, Wood
Antique 1830s French Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
Antique Early 19th Century French Louis XVI Secretaires
Leather, Wood, Fruitwood
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Furniture
Mahogany
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French Abattant For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a French Abattant?
Finding the Right Secretaires for You
Your antique, new or vintage secretary desk has become the (chic) saving grace of the "new normal" at home.
Simply put, a secretary desk is a multifunctional piece of furniture with a hinged writing surface that folds open or drops down. When the leaf is folded out, small inner storage compartments — pigeonholes, cubbies, recesses or drawers — are revealed.
Traditionally, a secretary is composed of two parts — a chest of drawers on the bottom and a cabinet with shelves on the top. Taking its name from the French word for the piece, secrétaire, the secretary desk dates back to the 18th century, when Paris-based cabinetmaker Jean-François Oeben, known for his exquisite marquetry and clever mechanical desks, is thought to have invented the secrétaire à abbattant, or drop-leaf desk.
While the defining drop-down feature of the secretary desk has remained constant, the materials used, as well as its configuration, size and style have evolved over time.
At first, secretaries were typically made from exotic woods, like rosewood, tulipwood and kingwood; later, hardwoods like cherry, maple, oak and mahogany were more common. The desks also became lighter, with space carved out of the lower half for the writer’s feet or with drawers replaced by legs — making them more table-like.
When open, the secretary is a dynamic, versatile Wunderkammer. When closed, it’s a sophisticated, space-saving piece of furniture.
“A fine secretary with a good provenance adds stature and credence to its owner — it is a cornerstone piece,” says antiques dealer Stanley Weiss, who specializes in 18th- and 19th-century English and American furniture. “In this disposable world, fine furniture is always passed on and speaks to who its owner is.”
No matter what style or period you choose, and no matter how you decide to use it, the timeless, flexible secretary desk is bound to become an indispensable part of your daily routine.
Browse a range of antique and vintage secretary desks on 1stDibs, including mid-century modern secretaires, Georgian secretaires and others.
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