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Secretaire "a Abbatant" Napoleon III Empire, 19th Century
By Empire Furniture
Located in Madrid, ES
Title: Secretaire "a Abbatant" Date/Period: 19th century Dimension: 147cm x 105cm x 51cm. Material
Category

Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Secretaire Furniture

Materials

Wood

Secretaire intarsiato lombardo Neoclassico XVIII secolo
By Non-Standard Furniture and Lighting
Located in Milano, IT
Secretaire neoclassico realizzato alla fine del XVIII secolo. Realizzato con due ante nella base
Category

18th Century Italian Neoclassical Revival Antique Secretaire Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Biedermeier Secretaire
Located in Pompano Beach, FL
Bureau Secretaire, Biedermeier. Walnut, birdseye, rootwood, intarsia, secret compartments.
Category

19th Century Antique Secretaire Furniture

Antique Biedermeier Secretaire
Biedermeier Secretaire
H 66.5 in W 31.5 in D 39 in
Biedermeier Secretaire
Located in Pompano Beach, FL
Biedermeier secretaire in walnut, root wood and ebony with fall-front writing surface; interior
Category

19th Century Austrian Antique Secretaire Furniture

Materials

Ebony, Walnut

Antique Biedermeier Secretaire
Biedermeier Secretaire
H 60 in W 28.5 in D 26 in
Biedermeier Secretaire
Located in Pompano Beach, FL
Biedermeier Secretaire with fall front writing surface, interior drawers and hidden compartments.
Category

19th Century Antique Secretaire Furniture

Materials

Ebony, Walnut

Antique Biedermeier Secretaire
Biedermeier Secretaire
H 64 in W 42 in D 20 in
Biedermeier Secretaire
Located in Pompano Beach, FL
Biedermeier secretaire made of walnut, root wood and ebony with a fall front writing surface
Category

19th Century Antique Secretaire Furniture

Antique Biedermeier Secretaire
Biedermeier Secretaire
H 70 in W 36 in D 18 in
Biedermeier Secretaire
Located in Pompano Beach, FL
Biedermeier Secretaire- Dark walnut with fall front writing surface, interior drawers, secret
Category

19th Century French Antique Secretaire Furniture

Antique Biedermeier Secretaire
Biedermeier Secretaire
H 59.5 in W 40 in D 21 in
Biedermeier Secretaire
Located in Pompano Beach, FL
Biedermeier secretaire made of walnut, rootwood and ebonized wood. It has a fall front writing
Category

19th Century Antique Secretaire Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antique Biedermeier Secretaire
Biedermeier Secretaire
H 53.5 in W 26.5 in D 18.75 in
Biedermeier Secretaire
Located in Pompano Beach, FL
Biedermeier Secretaire made of walnut, root wood and ebonized wood with fall-front writing surface
Category

19th Century Antique Secretaire Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antique Biedermeier Secretaire
Biedermeier Secretaire
H 66 in W 37 in D 21 in
Biedermeier Secretaire
Located in Pompano Beach, FL
Biedermeier Secretaire made of walnut, root wood and ebony with a fall front writing surface
Category

19th Century Antique Secretaire Furniture

Materials

Ebony

Biedermeier Secretaire
Biedermeier Secretaire
H 62 in W 29 in D 13 in
Biedermeier Secretaire
Located in Pompano Beach, FL
Biedermeier Secretaire made of walnut, mahogany, ebony, intarsia. There are 2 doors, 2 drawers, 2
Category

19th Century Antique Secretaire Furniture

Materials

Ebony, Mahogany

Biedermeier Secretaire
Biedermeier Secretaire
H 63.5 in W 41 in D 20.5 in
Biedermeier Secretaire
Located in Pompano Beach, FL
Biedermeier Secretaire made of walnut and rootwood with brass hardware. Fall front writing surface
Category

19th Century Antique Secretaire Furniture

Biedermeier Secretaire
Biedermeier Secretaire
H 67 in W 36 in D 22.5 in
Biedermeier Secretaire
Located in Pompano Beach, FL
Biedermeier secretaire made of walnut and cherry with fall front writing surface, nine interior
Category

19th Century Antique Secretaire Furniture

Materials

Cherry, Walnut

Biedermeier Secretaire
Biedermeier Secretaire
H 61 in W 43 in D 20 in
Empire Secretaire
Located in Pompano Beach, FL
Empire Secretaire made of walnut and root wood with brass capitals and hardware. Three exterior
Category

19th Century Austrian Antique Secretaire Furniture

Empire Secretaire
Empire Secretaire
H 60 in W 33 in D 19 in
Biedermeier Secretaire
Located in New York, NY
A strong, elegant piece to keep you perfectly organized! Crafted of hand-hewn fir and ash and veneered with thick hand-cut ash veneers, this chest offers storage for everything. A lo...
Category

1850s Swedish Biedermeier Antique Secretaire Furniture

Materials

Ash

Biedermeier Secretaire
Biedermeier Secretaire
H 53 in W 43.5 in D 19 in
Empire Secretaire
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful classic piece.
Category

19th Century French Antique Secretaire Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Empire Secretaire
Empire Secretaire
H 59 in W 38.5 in D 17.5 in
Swedish Secretaire Cupboard
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Swedish 19th Century painted secretaire cupboard in the Gustavian style. This cupboard dates
Category

19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaire Furniture

Materials

Wood, Paint

Swedish Secretaire Cupboard
Swedish Secretaire Cupboard
H 81.11 in W 45.67 in D 20.08 in
English Inlaid Secretaire
Located in Wilson, NC
This secretaire is inlaid throughout with boxwood line inlay with two satinwood fans in the broken
Category

1790s English Antique Secretaire Furniture

Materials

Brass

English Inlaid Secretaire
English Inlaid Secretaire
H 90 in W 36.5 in D 20 in
Biedermeier Revival Secretaire
Located in Pompano Beach, FL
Biedermeier Revival Secretaire made of blond burl with ebonized columns. Upper section with
Category

Early 20th Century Antique Secretaire Furniture

Biedermeier Revival Secretaire
Biedermeier Revival Secretaire
H 67 in W 31.5 in D 16 in
English Hepplewhite Secretaire
Located in Wilson, NC
The top of this English Hepplewhite secretaire has two drawer fronts that drop down to reveal the
Category

Early 1800s English Antique Secretaire Furniture

Materials

Brass

English Hepplewhite Secretaire
English Hepplewhite Secretaire
H 39.5 in W 36.5 in D 25.75 in
Russian Empire Secretaire
Located in Pompano Beach, FL
Russian Empire Secretaire made of solid birch blond-wood and veneer. Elegant and compact design
Category

19th Century Russian Antique Secretaire Furniture

Russian Empire Secretaire
Russian Empire Secretaire
H 54 in W 46 in D 21 in
Grande Biedermeier Secrétaire
Located in New York, NY
A perfect example of the wealthy, elegant Biedermeier period, this impressive, secretary is veneered in flame mahogany and birch intarsia, with bone escutcheons, secret compartments,...
Category

1810s Scandinavian Biedermeier Antique Secretaire Furniture

Grande Biedermeier Secrétaire
Grande Biedermeier Secrétaire
H 79.25 in W 45.5 in D 22.5 in
Birch Biedermeier Secretaire
Located in New York, NY
Constructed of solid birch and fir and veneered with hand-cut Nordic birch veneers, the secretary features an upper locking drawer which rests upon a fitted desk area hiding behind a...
Category

19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Antique Secretaire Furniture

Materials

Birch, Fir

Birch Biedermeier Secretaire
Birch Biedermeier Secretaire
H 51 in W 44 in D 20.5 in
Biedermeier Tabernacle/ Secretaire
Located in Pompano Beach, FL
Biedermeier Tabernacle - walnut veneer and marquetry decorated in typical "Vienna Set-top Style". Fall front writing surface and 3 drawers in lower section. Eight drawers and a cen...
Category

19th Century Austrian Antique Secretaire Furniture

Biedermeier Tabernacle/ Secretaire
Biedermeier Tabernacle/ Secretaire
H 71 in W 45 in D 27 in
1930s Rockford Furniture Jacobean Style Handcrafted Secretary Desk
By Rockford National Furniture Company 1
Located in Germantown, MD
A Jacobean-style slant front Hancrafted and handcarved by the renowned Rockford Chair and Furniture
Category

Early 20th Century Jacobean Antique Secretaire Furniture

Materials

Brass

Chinese Export Secretaire Chest
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Tall Chinese secretaire chest, similar to a campaign chest. With a wonderful drop front, this
Category

19th Century English Country Antique Secretaire Furniture

Materials

Wood

Chinese Export Secretaire Chest
Chinese Export Secretaire Chest
H 46.07 in W 36.23 in D 20.08 in
French 19th Century Secretaire
Located in Stockbridge, GA
This Louis-Philippe Secretaire Desk is made of blond flamed mahogany with a Sainte-Anne marble top
Category

Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Secretaire Furniture

Materials

Marble

French 19th Century Secretaire
French 19th Century Secretaire
H 61.75 in W 36.5 in D 17.5 in
English Regency Rosewood Secretaire
Located in Queens, NY
English Regency rosewood secretaire cabinet with two upper shelves supported by a lyre form over a
Category

Mid-19th Century English Regency Antique Secretaire Furniture

Materials

Rosewood

English Regency Rosewood Secretaire
English Regency Rosewood Secretaire
H 62 in W 42 in D 19.25 in
Art Nouveau Secretaire Cherrywood
Located in Darmstadt, DE
A beautiful Secretaire made of solid cherrywood, from the time of Art Nouveau, circa 1900. The
Category

Early 1900s German Art Nouveau Antique Secretaire Furniture

Materials

Birdseye Maple, Pine, Cherry

Art Nouveau Secretaire Cherrywood
Art Nouveau Secretaire Cherrywood
H 75.99 in W 41.34 in D 21.26 in
19th Century Venetian Secretaire
Located in New York, NY
A painted Venetian secretaire with shelves and drawers on bottom portion of body.  
Category

19th Century Antique Secretaire Furniture

19th Century Venetian Secretaire
19th Century Venetian Secretaire
H 82 in W 28.5 in D 17 in
Russian Neoclassic Mahogany Secretaire
Located in Queens, NY
Russian Neoclassic (Late 18th/ Early 19th Century) ormolu mounted ebonized and mahogany secretaire
Category

Early 19th Century Russian Neoclassical Antique Secretaire Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

Italian 17th Century Secretaire
Located in Atlanta, GA
A stunning 17th century Secretaire from Bologna, Italy. Wonderfully constructed from beautiful
Category

Mid-17th Century Italian Antique Secretaire Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Italian 17th Century Secretaire
Italian 17th Century Secretaire
H 61.88 in W 34.25 in D 15.88 in
Blue Painted Swedish Secretaire
Located in Washington, DC
A blue painted Swedish Drop Front Secretaire with decorative painting inside the doors.
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Secretaire Furniture

Materials

Wood, Paint

Blue Painted Swedish Secretaire
Blue Painted Swedish Secretaire
H 81 in W 41.75 in D 19.5 in
Biedermeier Secretaire Napolean Style
Located in Pompano Beach, FL
Biedermeier Secretaire Napolean Style with fall front writing surface, interior drawers and secret
Category

19th Century Antique Secretaire Furniture

Materials

Birdseye Maple, Walnut

Victorian Mahogany Secretaire Bookcase
Located in Queens, NY
"American Victorian (2nd Quarter 19th Century) plum-pudding mahogany secretaire-bookcase with
Category

19th Century American Victorian Antique Secretaire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany, Maple

Victorian Mahogany Secretaire Bookcase
Victorian Mahogany Secretaire Bookcase
H 106 in W 56 in D 20.25 in
19th Century Davenport Secretaire
Located in Eindhoven, NL
space in the furniture. The Davenport bureau was first made in the George III period ca. 1790, by the
Category

1840s English Antique Secretaire Furniture

Materials

Walnut

19th Century Davenport Secretaire
19th Century Davenport Secretaire
H 32.68 in W 22.05 in D 21.26 in
Biedermeier secretaire, circa 1830
Located in London, GB
A Biedermeier secre´taire a` abattant of unusual tapered form, goncalo alves with ebonized, inlaid and pewter decoration, and an enclosed fitted interior, Russian/Baltic, circa 1830.
Category

1820s Baltic Biedermeier Antique Secretaire Furniture

Materials

Pewter

Biedermeier secretaire, circa 1830
Biedermeier secretaire, circa 1830
H 69.3 in W 47.64 in D 22.05 in
Fine Danish Louis XVI Secretaire
Located in New York, NY
A fine Danish Louis XVI mahogany and fruitwood slant front secretaire, circa 1780-1790, in three
Category

Late 18th Century Danish Louis XVI Antique Secretaire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany, Fruitwood

Fine Danish Louis XVI Secretaire
Fine Danish Louis XVI Secretaire
H 86.5 in W 48 in D 22 in
Empire Secretaire, Vienna around 1800
Located in Greding, DE
Small Mahogany-veneered Viennese secretaire on square tapered legs with brass sabots and decorative
Category

Early 19th Century Austrian Empire Antique Secretaire Furniture

Materials

Brass

Empire Secretaire, Vienna around 1800
Empire Secretaire, Vienna around 1800
H 48.82 in W 30.91 in D 14.97 in
18th Century English Chippendale Secretaire
Located in Chicago, IL
secretaire, an embodiment of Georgian Chippendale-style craftsmanship. Elegantly merging form and function
Category

18th Century English Chippendale Antique Secretaire Furniture

Materials

Brass

18th Century English Chippendale Secretaire
18th Century English Chippendale Secretaire
H 39.25 in W 35.5 in D 19.25 in
French Walnut Secrétaire á Abbatant
Located in Faversham, GB
A beautiful walnut Secrétaire à Abattant in the Empire style of the 19th century, The top bears a
Category

Early 19th Century French Empire Revival Antique Secretaire Furniture

Materials

Brass

French Walnut Secrétaire á Abbatant
French Walnut Secrétaire á Abbatant
H 59.26 in W 38.19 in D 17.33 in
Patent Secretaire, France, 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Patent secretaire with mahogany veneered frame and columns with bronze capitals and bases.
Category

19th Century French Empire Antique Secretaire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Patent Secretaire, France, 19th Century
Patent Secretaire, France, 19th Century
H 45.67 in W 24.02 in D 16.54 in
Louis XV Secretaire, France 1770
Located in Belmont, MA
Exquisite secretaire de dame, France 18th century, beautiful kingwood veneer on front, sides, top
Category

1770s French Louis XV Antique Secretaire Furniture

Materials

Kingwood

Louis XV Secretaire, France 1770
Louis XV Secretaire, France 1770
H 33.47 in W 25.99 in D 16.93 in
Dutch 19th Century Oak Secretaire
Located in Delft, NL
A Dutch 19th century oak secretaire A Dutch 19th century oak secretaire and a wooden balcony
Category

19th Century Dutch Antique Secretaire Furniture

Materials

Oak

Dutch 19th Century Oak Secretaire
Dutch 19th Century Oak Secretaire
H 47.64 in W 46.46 in D 19.3 in
Dutch 19th Century Oak Secretaire
Located in Delft, NL
A Dutch 19th Century oak secretaire A Dutch 19th century oak secretaire on claw legs and a
Category

19th Century Dutch Antique Secretaire Furniture

Materials

Oak

Dutch 19th Century Oak Secretaire
Dutch 19th Century Oak Secretaire
H 44.1 in W 39.77 in D 20.87 in
Mahogany Two-Door Secretaire Bookcase
Located in Cheshire, GB
Victorian mahogany secretaire - bookcase, the ogee cornice above a pair of arched glazed doors
Category

19th Century English Victorian Antique Secretaire Furniture

Materials

Wood

Baroque Walnut Secretaire, 18th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Italian secretaire standing on bracket feet with four drawers and trapezoidal top with an inclined
Category

18th Century European Baroque Antique Secretaire Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Baroque Walnut Secretaire, 18th Century
Baroque Walnut Secretaire, 18th Century
H 47.64 in W 47.64 in D 21.66 in
Chinoiserie Gilt Lacquer Table Secretaire
Located in Chicago, IL
This charming tabletop secretaire is decorated in gold and black in the Chinoiserie style. The
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Antique Secretaire Furniture

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Chinoiserie Gilt Lacquer Table Secretaire
Chinoiserie Gilt Lacquer Table Secretaire
H 10.5 in W 23.25 in D 13.75 in
French Empire Secrétaire á Abattant
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A handsome 19th century French Empire secrétaire à abattant made of richly figured, bookmatched
Category

19th Century French Empire Antique Secretaire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Brass

French Empire Secrétaire á Abattant
French Empire Secrétaire á Abattant
H 55 in W 38.5 in D 17.5 in
Louis XV Secretaire, France, 1770
Located in Belmont, MA
Louis XV secretaire, France, 1770. Beautiful walnut veneer with plum, satinwood and kingwood
Category

1770s French Louis XV Antique Secretaire Furniture

Materials

Kingwood, Satinwood, Walnut

Louis XV Secretaire, France, 1770
Louis XV Secretaire, France, 1770
H 41.34 in W 45.28 in D 20.48 in
Antique French secretaire Napoleon 3
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A beautiful French napoleon 3 secretaire, it has a beautiful inlaid, made of rosewood, ALL
Category

19th Century French Antique Secretaire Furniture

Materials

Brass

19th Century Biedermeier Walnut Secretaire
Located in Darmstadt, DE
represents sophisticated craftsmanship and timeless beauty from one of Europe's most celebrated furniture
Category

Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaire Furniture

Materials

Pine, Walnut

19th Century Biedermeier Walnut Secretaire
19th Century Biedermeier Walnut Secretaire
H 66.15 in W 38.19 in D 18.9 in
19c. French Parquetry Secretaire / Commode
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Secretaire, having notched marble top with 3/4 pierced bronze gallery, the top drawer opens to a
Category

19th Century French Antique Secretaire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Austro-Hungarian Secrétaire à Abattant
Located in Woodbury, CT
Wearing a layer of Austrian walnut root veneer, this secrétaire has a unique grain that one does
Category

19th Century Hungarian Biedermeier Antique Secretaire Furniture

Materials

Walnut, Burl

Austro-Hungarian Secrétaire à Abattant
Austro-Hungarian Secrétaire à Abattant
H 61.5 in W 40 in D 19.75 in
Louis Philippe Amboyna Secretaire Abbatant
Located in Essex, MA
With a rectangular top over a drawer over a fold down writing surface exposing a fitted interior with secret compartment. The interior with arcade with parquetry floor and fitted dra...
Category

1830s French Louis Philippe Antique Secretaire Furniture

Materials

Amboyna

Louis Philippe Amboyna Secretaire Abbatant
Louis Philippe Amboyna Secretaire Abbatant
H 60.38 in W 39.25 in D 18 in
Empire Secretaire, Vienna, circa 1810
Located in Greding, DE
Viennese secretaire on square pointed feet with bronze sabots. The body with beveled corners has a
Category

1810s Austrian Empire Antique Secretaire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Empire Secretaire, Vienna, circa 1810
Empire Secretaire, Vienna, circa 1810
H 59.06 in W 38.19 in D 19.1 in
18th Century Swiss Made Secretaire
Located in Greven, DE
design. We see strong curves in the base area and on the pilaster strips of the furniture. The drawer
Category

Mid-18th Century Swiss Baroque Antique Secretaire Furniture

Materials

Oak, Yew

18th Century Swiss Made Secretaire
18th Century Swiss Made Secretaire
H 41.34 in W 45.67 in D 24.02 in
Magnificent William IV Mahogany Secretaire
Located in Whaley Bridge, GB
handles and standing on plinth base. This is rare secretaire retains its original finish throughout which
Category

1830s English William IV Antique Secretaire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Magnificent William IV Mahogany Secretaire
Magnificent William IV Mahogany Secretaire
H 57.09 in W 38.98 in D 11.82 in
18th Century English Mahogany Secretaire Bookcase
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
An Excellent Late 18th Century English Mahogany Breakfront Secretaire Bookcase. This bookcase has
Category

18th Century Antique Secretaire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Antique French Secretaire / Bureau in Mahogany
Located in Leicester, GB
Beautiful Antique French flame Mahogany secretaire/bureau/cabinet. The inside is lined with maple
Category

1890s French French Provincial Antique Secretaire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Antique French Secretaire / Bureau in Mahogany
Antique French Secretaire / Bureau in Mahogany
H 65.36 in W 40.56 in D 17.72 in
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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, 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 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 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 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 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.
  • 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 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
  • 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 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 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 ExpertAugust 26, 2024
    To 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.

  • 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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