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Secretary Furniture Antique

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19th Century Bleached Mahogany English Butler s Secretary Desk
Located in Viterbo, VT
Georgian butler's secretary hand-made in the United Kingdom in the early 1900s using mahogany and
Category

Early 19th Century British Georgian Secretary Furniture Antique

Materials

Mahogany

J&J Kohn Austrian Secessionist Bentwood Secretary
By Jacob Josef Kohn
Located in Queens, NY
Austrian Secessionist Bentwood (19/20th Century) small secretary with 2 grill doors and 2 embossed
Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Vienna Secession Secretary Furniture Antique

Materials

Bentwood

Large French Directoire Period Traveling Secretary Desk
Located in Pembroke, MA
This French Directoire traveling secretary is made of walnut. Its large size is unusual and would
Category

Late 18th Century French Directoire Secretary Furniture Antique

Materials

Brass, Iron

Exquisite ebonised secretary desk from the 19th century
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
We are honoured to present an exquisite ebonised secretary desk from the 19th century, hailing from
Category

1820s Swedish Biedermeier Secretary Furniture Antique

Materials

Softwood

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
Category

Mid-18th Century German Baroque Secretary Furniture Antique

Materials

Brass

19th Century Biedermeier Style Cuba-Mahogany Secretary
Located in Berlin, DE
Classicist secretary, circa 1800-1810. Cuba mahogany on solid softwood partly ebonized. High-right
Category

19th Century German Biedermeier Secretary Furniture Antique

Materials

Wood, Mahogany, Softwood

Black Painted Chinoiserie Drop Front Secretary Writing Desk
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique chinoiserie painted writing desk with red interior. early-19th century
Category

19th Century Chinoiserie Secretary Furniture Antique

Materials

Wood

19th Century chest of drawers with secretary
Located in Eindhoven, NL
Beautiful antique teak campaign chest of drawers with secretary. The chest of drawers is in
Category

1840s British Campaign Secretary Furniture Antique

Materials

Teak

18th Century Swedish Neoclassical Painted Secretary Desk
Located in Dallas, TX
18th century Swedish neoclassical painted secretary desk will make the perfect addition to your
Category

1790s Swedish Gustavian Secretary Furniture Antique

Materials

Steel

Antique Danish Late Empire Mahogany Secretary Bureau
Located in Kastrup, DK
Late empire secretary bureau in mahogany veneered oak with beautiful grain. In 2 parts. Desk top
Category

Early 19th Century European Empire Secretary Furniture Antique

Materials

Oak, Mahogany

Late 18th Century Inlaid Oak Secretary Bureau, Denmark
Located in Round Top, TX
This drop front secretary is charming in every way, with a soft, satin wax finish that compliments
Category

Late 18th Century Danish Country Secretary Furniture Antique

Materials

Wrought Iron

Belgian Oak Slant-Front Secretary, circa 1850
Located in Evergreen, CO
This substantial, mid-19th century secretary features solid oak construction with a beautiful
Category

Mid-19th Century Belgian Secretary Furniture Antique

Materials

Oak

Antique English Georgian Walnut Slant Front Secretary Desk
Located in Bridgeport, CT
An antique slant front secretary desk with graduated drawers (one over two short, over two long
Category

Mid-18th Century English Georgian Secretary Furniture Antique

Materials

Leather, Walnut

19th Century Swedish Blue Painted Tall Oak Secretary
Located in Round Top, TX
This oak secretary is a striking statement piece with panel doors, dramatic bonnet, three large
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Rococo Secretary Furniture Antique

Materials

Oak, Paint

19th Century French Louis Philippe Period Secretary ~ Bookcase
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century French Louis Philippe Period Secretary ~ Bookcase was hand-crafted from exotic
Category

1840s French Louis Philippe Secretary Furniture Antique

Materials

Glass, Hardwood

19th Century Two-Piece English Butler s Secretary
Located in Asheville, NC
This two-piece secretary is constructed of oak with contrast mahogany banding, the compartmented
Category

19th Century American Secretary Furniture Antique

Materials

Brass

Foldable Patent Secretary with Ink Drawing, English 19th-Century
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
This filigree patent secretary, also known as a folding travel desk, is made of mahogany veneer and
Category

Mid-19th Century English Early Victorian Secretary Furniture Antique

Materials

Bronze

Late 18th-Century Scandinavian Two-Part Secretary, Circa 1790
Located in Atlanta, GA
This rare Scandinavian two-part secretary dates to the late 18th century and exemplifies the
Category

18th Century Scandinavian Gustavian Secretary Furniture Antique

Materials

Glass, Wood

Antique English Fall Front Secretary Desk in Oak
Located in Meer, VAN
Antique Fall Front Secretary Desk in solid oak, England, late 18th to early 19th Century. This is
Category

Early 19th Century British George III Secretary Furniture Antique

Materials

Brass

Neoclassical Cylinder Secretary Desk with Clock, circa 1780
Located in Greding, DE
Significant neoclassical cylinder secretary resting on six tapered square legs, canted at the
Category

1780s German Neoclassical Secretary Furniture Antique

Materials

Brass

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
Category

Mid-19th Century Secretary Furniture Antique

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century Country French Louis XVI Secretary
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century Country French Louis XVI secretary is a truly astonishing work of the cabinetmaker's
Category

Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Secretary Furniture Antique

Materials

Oak

19th Century English Walnut Bookcase or Secretary
Located in Savannah, GA
This is a bookcase / secretary or Bureau bookcase, made in England, circa 1825. There is a Pagoda
Category

1820s English George IV Secretary Furniture Antique

Materials

Walnut

19th Century American Federal Secretary, Seymour School, Boston
By John Thomas Seymour
Located in Essex, MA
Important American Federal Period Secretary. School of John and Thomas Seymour, Boston, circa 1820
Category

Early 19th Century American Federal Secretary Furniture Antique

Materials

Mahogany

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 Secretary Furniture Antique

Materials

Wood, Pine, Paint

Wooden Secretary Rustic with Flap 19th Century
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
This desk is composed of a cupboard and an openable drawer. Very nice piece of ironwork in metal trim. This little « Bureau de pente »  is in solid wood. France 19th century.
Category

Late 19th Century French Secretary Furniture Antique

Materials

Wood

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
Category

18th Century Baroque Secretary Furniture Antique

Materials

Bronze

Antique English Regency Mahogany Butlers Secretary c. 1820
Located in Westfield, MA
This exquisite English Regency mahogany butler’s secretary, dating to circa 1820, captures the
Category

1820s English Regency Secretary Furniture Antique

Materials

Mahogany

Baroque Cabinet with Secretary Desk, Germany 1760-70
Located in Leimen, DE
Baroque cabinet with Secretary desk, coming from Southern Germany and dating back to end of the
Category

1770s German Baroque Secretary Furniture Antique

Materials

Walnut

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
Category

19th Century Swedish Secretary Furniture Antique

Materials

Wood

19th Century Biedermeier Secretary Desk in Maple Burl
By Biedermeier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A refined 19th-century Biedermeier secretary desk, exquisitely crafted in maple burl and veneers
Category

19th Century German Secretary Furniture Antique

Materials

Maple

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 writing flap and drawers painted in blue. The Bureau / secrétaire is in two parts: an ...
Category

Late 18th Century Danish Gustavian Secretary Furniture Antique

Materials

Brass, Iron

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
Category

18th Century German French Provincial Secretary Furniture Antique

Materials

Brass

Louis XVI Secretary Desk, South German 1770-80, walnut
Located in Leimen, DE
Exquisite Louis XVI Secretary Desk South Germany, 1770-80 Discover a stunning Louis XVI secretary
Category

1770s German Louis XVI Secretary Furniture Antique

Materials

Walnut

Highly Carved Pine Secretary from Denmark, circa 1890
Located in Round Top, TX
Elaborate carving accentuate the entire surface of this striking pine secretary. Enlarge photos to
Category

Late 19th Century Danish Anglo-Indian Secretary Furniture Antique

Materials

Pine

Danish Walnut 19th-century escritoire / Secretary, Victorian style
Located in Store Heddinge, DK
This 19th-century secretary desk, also known as an escritoire, is a stunning piece crafted from
Category

19th Century Danish Victorian Secretary Furniture Antique

Materials

Walnut

Antique Renaissance Revival Victorian Carved Walnut Burl Secretary c1890
Located in Big Flats, NY
Renaissance Revival Victorian Carved Walnut & Burl Secretary With Bookcase C1880. Measures - 102 1/2" x
Category

Late 19th Century Renaissance Revival Secretary Furniture Antique

Materials

Walnut

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
Category

Early 19th Century Danish Empire Secretary Furniture Antique

Materials

Mahogany, Leather

19th Century French Louis Philippe Period Argentier ~ Secretary
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century French Louis Philippe Period Argentier ~ Secretary ~ Confiturier is a truly
Category

Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Secretary Furniture Antique

Materials

Marble, Brass

Superb 18th century Georgian Mahogany Breakfront Secretary Bookcase
Located in Richmond, VA
Superb 18th century Georgian Mahogany Breakfront Secretary Bookcase. This incredible secretary has
Category

18th Century English Georgian Secretary Furniture Antique

Materials

Mahogany

Antique Eastlake Walnut Cylinder Roll Top Paneled Secretary Desk c1890
Located in Big Flats, NY
Antique Victorian Eastlake Walnut Cylinder Roll Top Paneled Secretary Desk C1890 Measures - 62 1/4
Category

Late 19th Century Secretary Furniture Antique

Materials

Walnut

18th Century Swedish Gustavian Two Part Painted Secretary
Located in Rio Vista, CA
dovetail construction. The bottom of the case has a large storage area with one fixed shelf. The secretary
Category

18th Century European Gustavian Secretary Furniture Antique

Materials

Iron

Unusual 18th-19th Century Continental Secretary Bookcase
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Figured wood veneer, the top with a carved cornice over double doors. They open to two shelves over drawers and cubby holes. A middle frieze with three drawers (lacking a key) over t...
Category

19th Century European Georgian Secretary Furniture Antique

Materials

Brass

English Chippendale Style Painted Goddard Chest Secretary Writing Desk
Located in Dayton, OH
secretary. Dimensions: 31" x 17" x 40.5"h, surface 29.5"
Category

Early 20th Century American Chippendale Secretary Furniture Antique

Materials

Hardwood, Paint

Napoleon III Marquetry Secretary Vitrine Bonheur Du Jour
Located in Lisbon, PT
A unique 19th century Napoleon III table desk Bonheur Du Jour. Upper part showcase with three shelves and lower part with a couple of drawers and extendable top and legs with black...
Category

19th Century French Napoleon III Secretary Furniture Antique

Materials

Metal

19th Century Swedish Gustavian Writing Desk Secretary
Located in San Angelo, TX
This beautiful and unique 19th century Swedish Gustavian writing desk is perfect for any room or hallway. The colors are amazing with the distress and dry scrapping for a perfect loo...
Category

19th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretary Furniture Antique

Materials

Wood, Pine, Paint

Louis XV Secretary Desk, France 18th Century
Located in Belmont, MA
This original 18th century Louis XVI Secretaire has a stunning veneer and marquetry. The elegant unique slant-top desk or "secretaire en pente" combines different walnut veneer grain...
Category

1750s French Louis XV Secretary Furniture Antique

Materials

Birdseye Maple, Maple, Walnut

Biedermeier Antique Secretary Circa 1840 Veneered With Mahogany
Located in Opole, PL
Biedermeier Antique Secretary Circa 1840 Veneered With Mahogany Furniture in the Biedermeier style
Category

1840s German Biedermeier Secretary Furniture Antique

Materials

Mahogany

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
Category

Early 19th Century Danish Baroque Secretary Furniture Antique

Materials

Pine

Biedermeier Mahogany Secretary Desk, circa 1860, after Renovation
Located in Opole, PL
We present you another incredible piece of furniture in our collection -- this elegant and highly
Category

1860s Scandinavian Biedermeier Secretary Furniture Antique

Materials

Mahogany

Antique Biedermeier-Style Drop-Front Mahogany Secretary Chest
By Biedermeier
Located in Milano, IT
Biedermeier-style secretary chest is much more than a piece of furniture; it is a living testament to the art
Category

Mid-19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Secretary Furniture Antique

Materials

Metal

Antique English Regency Mahogany Secretary Bookcase, Circa 1890
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique English Regency Mahogany Secretary bookcase, Circa 1890.
Category

Late 19th Century English Regency Secretary Furniture Antique

Materials

Glass, Mahogany

Elegant Mahogany Empire Secretary Desk with Satinwood Intarsia
Located in Kastrup, DK
This small charming Empire secretary desk, crafted in Copenhagen around 1810, consists of three
Category

Early 19th Century Danish Empire Secretary Furniture Antique

Materials

Bone, Leather, Mahogany, Maple, Satinwood

19th Century German Biedermeier Cherrywood Secretaire - Antique Secretary
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
detailed secretary is composed with two doors that open to two interior shelves. The cabinet is standing on
Category

Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Secretary Furniture Antique

Materials

Metal, Brass

Napoleon III Black Lacquer Secretary Vitrine Bonheur Du Jour
Located in Lisbon, PT
A unique 19th century refinished Black Lacquer Napoleon III table desk Bonheur Du Jour. Upper part showcase with three shelves and lower part with a couple of drawers and extendab...
Category

Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Secretary Furniture Antique

Materials

Brass

Painted Oak Secretary Bureau, Denmark circa 1760-80
Located in Round Top, TX
This striking oak secretary is an elegant statement piece crowned with a beautifully curved and
Category

Late 18th Century Danish Secretary Furniture Antique

Materials

Brass, Iron

19th Century Queen Anne Style Walnut Inlaid Secretary
Located in New York, NY
19th century Queen Anne style walnut inlaid secretary with a slant front. The inside of the
Category

1880s English Queen Anne Secretary Furniture Antique

Materials

Mirror, Walnut, Burl

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Secretary Furniture Antique For Sale on 1stDibs

At 1stDibs, there are many versions of the ideal secretary furniture antique for your home. A secretary furniture antique — often made from wood, mahogany and metal — can elevate any home. There are many kinds of the secretary furniture antique you’re looking for, from those produced as long ago as the 18th Century to those made as recently as the 20th Century. A secretary furniture antique, designed in the Georgian, Baroque or Empire style, is generally a popular piece of furniture. You’ll likely find more than one secretary furniture antique that is appealing in its simplicity, but André-Charles Boulle, Wedgewood and George Hepplewhite produced versions that are worth a look.

How Much is a Secretary Furniture Antique?

The average selling price for a secretary furniture antique at 1stDibs is $7,465, while they’re typically $167 on the low end and $437,700 for the highest priced.

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 Secretary Furniture Antique
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    To date an antique secretary desk, start by determining the type of hinge used to secure the writing surface. Consult an authoritative resource to find out which furniture makers worked with that type of hinge. You can also look for the name of the manufacturer on the back or bottom of the piece. Find a range of expertly vetted antique secretaries on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 28, 2021
    An antique secretary desk will range in value depending on its authenticity and condition. The price can range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. On 1stDibs find the antique secretary desk you’re looking for today.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 22, 2024
    Yes, 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 30, 2024
    To 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.
  • 1stDibs ExpertAugust 15, 2019

    A piece of furniture is considered an antique if it is at least 100 years old.

  • 1stDibs ExpertMay 14, 2024
    Many 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, 2024
    To 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, 2021
    Antique 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, 2024
    Whether 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, 2024
    To 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, 2021
    There 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 ExpertNovember 4, 2024
    To 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, 2021
    The 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 RED
    PAGODA REDOctober 7, 2020

    To 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, 2024
    To 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, 2024
    To 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, 2024
    How 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, 2024
    To 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, 2024
    To 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, 2024
    To 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.

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