Louis XVI Secretaires
LOUIS XVI STYLE
Reflecting the final era of royal opulence before the upheaval of the French Revolution, antique Louis XVI furniture features more angular shapes than the Rococo curves of the Louis XV style, harkening back to the imposing grandeur of Louis XIV.
Dating between 1750 and 1800, an era that overlapped with the last king of France whose reign was cut short by the guillotine, Louis XVI furniture, known as the goût grec, is emblematic of the neoclassical revision that French furniture underwent during the second half of the 18th century.
Authentic Louis XVI furniture characteristics include clean lines and carved details such as scrolls and acanthus flourishes that were inspired by ancient Greece and Rome. This was informed by a burgeoning interest in antiquity in the 18th century, owing to new archaeological excavations at sites including Pompeii and Herculaneum. It largely eclipsed the more East Asian–influenced ornamentation of Louis XV for something more geometric and symmetrical.
The Louis XVI style was defined by what was being created for the palatial rooms at Versailles and Fontainebleau, particularly for the queen, with cabinetmaker Jean-Henri Riesener being a favorite of Marie-Antoinette’s for his luxurious pieces accented with gilded bronze and marquetry. Furniture maker Jean-Baptiste-Claude Sené was also a major designer of the period, with his pieces for the royal residences adorned with giltwood and neoclassical touches like tapered columns for chair legs and laurel leaf carvings. Cabinetmaker Adam Weisweiler occasionally incorporated into his furniture porcelain panels produced by Sèvres, a popular manufacturer of European ceramics that served the crown with serveware, vases and other decorative objects.
Find a collection of antique Louis XVI seating, tables, cabinets and other furniture on 1stDibs.
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Style: Louis XVI
Louis XVI Mahogany Bureau Ascribed to Cabinetmaker J.C. Lillie
Located in Kastrup, DK
Elegant Louis XVI bureau in mahogany Copenhagen, 1780.
Behind the writing flap small drawers and a tambour door. Loose top cabinet with original tambo...
Category
Late 18th Century Danish Antique Louis XVI Secretaires
Materials
Brass
21st Century Brocart Jewel Cabinet with Gold Leaf Laser Engraved Lace Decoration
Located in Cantù, Lombardia
The jewel cabinet of the Brocart line presents a base with hand-carved legs and antique gold leaf finishing in pure classic style, combined with an upper...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Louis XVI Secretaires
Materials
Wood
18th Century Louis XVI Cylinder Top Secretaire
Located in Belmont, MA
18th century Louis XVI Cylinder Top Secretaire, Paris 1780.
The secretaire stands out for its elaborate kingwood and satinwood marquetry.
The inside is embellished with several dra...
Category
1780s French Antique Louis XVI Secretaires
Materials
Kingwood
Fine Sevres Style Porcelain Mounted Secrétaire, 19th Century, After Henry Dasson
By Henry Dasson
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A fine quality late 19th century French side cabinet with a marble top, a fall front secrétaire, having wonderful hand painted Sevres...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Louis XVI Secretaires
Materials
Porcelain, Mahogany
Fine Italian 18th Century Ormolu-Mounted Parquetry Secretaire a Abattant
Located in Rome, IT
Very fine Italian 18' century ormolu-mounted Parquetry Secretaire a Abattant with a dark Grey marble top.
Measures: cm. 170 x 105 x 46.
Category
18th Century Italian Antique Louis XVI Secretaires
Materials
Wood
18th Century Country French Neoclassical Secretary
Located in Dallas, TX
18th Century Country French neoclassical secretary is a splendid example of the genre, dating to the reign of Louis XVI himself! The period saw ...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Louis XVI Secretaires
Materials
Bronze
Louis XVI Drop Front Desk, France 1780-1800, Walnut Root Veneer
Located in Belmont, MA
Exquisite Louis XVI drop front desk, France 1780, walnut root veneer with details in cherry, plum and boxwood veneer and Marquetry. The special so...
Category
1780s French Antique Louis XVI Secretaires
Materials
Boxwood, Cherry, Walnut
French 18th century J.F. LELEU stamped secretaire à abattant
By Jean-François Leleu
Located in AALSMEER, NL
Exceptionally high quality furniture from an estate of a private collector
Louis XVI Mahogany secretaire à abattant By J.F Leleu with its original ‘Bianca Carrara’ marble top with rounded front corners.
Brown gilded edge calf leather inlay, Turned tapered legs (from top to bottom ) with cannelures, locks and keys working. Panelled sides, flap and doors. General in good vintage condition as comes with the age.
Nice shine, French polish.
Stamped J.F Leleu. Jean Francois Leleu...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Louis XVI Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Antique Louis XVI Desk Cabinet "bureau à pente"
Located in Senonches, Centre-Val de Loire
Louis XVI style antique desk chest of drawers called "bureau à pente".
Three dovetailed drawers, bronze details.
On the front opens a tab...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Louis XVI Secretaires
Materials
Brass, Bronze
Louis XVI Style Secretary by H. Dasson, France, Circa 1880
By Henry Dasson
Located in PARIS, FR
A very fine Louis XVI style upright secretary, executed in veneered wood, finely decorated with painted medallions representing mythological scenes. Fine chiseled and gilded bronze m...
Category
1880s French Antique Louis XVI Secretaires
Materials
Bronze
Verni Martin secrétaire abattant , circa 1880
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality late 19th Century French Louis XVI style secretaries abbattant, having bombe shaped sides, gilded rococo style scrolling ormolu mounts. Wonderful hand painted Ver...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Louis XVI Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
Louis XVI Roll Top Desk, France 1780
Located in Belmont, MA
This unique Louis XVI Roll Top Desk was made in France around 1780. The outside of the secretary desk has a kingwood veneer with a gorgeous mar...
Category
1780s French Antique Louis XVI Secretaires
Materials
Kingwood, Yew
Antique Louis XVI Style Ormolu and Sèvres Porcelain Mounted Secretaire
Located in London, GB
Antique Louis XVI style ormolu and Sèvres porcelain mounted secretaire
French, c. 1840
Height 127cm, width 76cm, depth 37cm
This magnificent ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Louis XVI Secretaires
Materials
Ormolu
19th Century French Rosewood Inlaid Louis XVI Ladies Desk Bonheur Du Jour
Located in Long Branch, NJ
19th Century French Rosewood Inlaid Louis XVI Ladies Desk Bonheur Du Jour
Dimensions : 30" Wide X 19" Deep X 52.75" Tall
This stunning ladies ...
Category
1870s French Antique Louis XVI Secretaires
Materials
Rosewood, Satinwood
19th Century French Standing Secrétaire / Dry Bar with Tambour Doors, Marble Top
Located in Madrid, ES
A 19th century, French secrétaire with beautiful feathered woodwork, eucalyptus fillet inlay with Louis XVI style detailing. The wood grain veneer is artfully arranged in geometric p...
Category
19th Century French Antique Louis XVI Secretaires
Materials
Marble
Louis Seize Secretary around 1800 Nutwood Veneer on Oak
Located in Münster, DE
Cylinder bureau, Westphalia circa 1800, walnut and other fine woods veneered on oak, marquetry work, partly fire shaded, fluting and meander frieze, on the cylinder closure depiction...
Category
Early 1800s German Antique Louis XVI Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Nutwood, Oak
Pair 19th Century Bonheur Du Jours
Located in Brighton, Sussex
Rare pair of 19th Century French Kingwood and Tulip wood veneered Bonheur du jours, each with pierced three quarter brass galleries, gilded ormolu mounts, three drawers either side o...
Category
19th Century Japanese Antique Louis XVI Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany, Porcelain
Louis XVI Style Gilt-Bronze Mounted Secrétaire À Abattant
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
An Impressive Louis XVI style gilt-bronze mounted secrétaire à Abattant, In The Manner Of André Charles Boulle.
This drop-front writing cabinet or secrétaire à abattant is finishe...
Category
19th Century French Antique Louis XVI Secretaires
Materials
Ormolu
French Antique Transformation Chest of Drawers, circa 1800
Located in Belmont, MA
The French antique transformation furniture chest of drawers, originates from Paris and dates back to around 1800. The special feature of this...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Louis XVI Secretaires
Materials
Kingwood, Rosewood, Satinwood
Louis XVI Style Five Drawers Abattant Secretaire. France, 19th Century.
Located in Madrid, ES
Abattant secretaire with 5 drawers and a folding door made of mahogany rosewood and fruitwood marquetry with bronze handles. Louis XVI style, Napoleon III era, France, 19th century.
Category
19th Century French Antique Louis XVI Secretaires
Materials
Bronze
Cylinder Secretary Desk in Lucite Late 1980s Style Louis XVI
By Comatec
Located in Brussels, BE
Amazing very rare limited edition cylinder secretary desk in Lucite late 1980s
This is the best secretary kept in town: A fine art, exquisite...
Category
1980s Vintage Louis XVI Secretaires
19th C. Drop Front Desk, Secretary Abattant, with Multiple Wood Marquetry Inlay
Located in Madrid, ES
This handsome Carlos IV style "secretaire-abattant" or drop front desk combines functionality with ample storage space. Top, front and sides feature detailed marquetry inlay in geome...
Category
Early 19th Century Spanish Antique Louis XVI Secretaires
Materials
Hardwood
Dutch 18th century Cuban mahogany bombé writing cabinet with glass upstand.
Located in AALSMEER, NL
Very beautiful Cuba flower mahogany writing cabinet with 'S-lid' inlaid with olive green leather.
wall cabinet with two (old) glass doors, mirrored flower veneer and carvings on the ...
Category
Late 17th Century Dutch Antique Louis XVI Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany, Oak
Impressive Rolling Secretary in Louis XVI, 20th Century, Mahogany
Located in Berlin, DE
Impressive rolling secretary in Louis XVI, 20th Century.
Scroll function with a Watteau painting, signed. Extendable writing surface covered with leather. Rich marquetry on the si...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Louis XVI Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Pair of French Early 19th Century Louis XVI St. Mahogany Bonheurs Du Jours
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A magnificent pair of French early 19th century Louis XVI St. Bonheurs du Jours, which literally means, the joy of the day. A type of writing desk introduced in Paris by renowned int...
Category
19th Century French Antique Louis XVI Secretaires
Materials
Carrara Marble, Ormolu
20th Century Louis XVI Style Secretaire after Charles Topino
By Charles Topino
Located in Berlin, DE
Light fruit and tropical woods on spruce marquetry, with rich marquetry.
(L-Gm-2).
Category
20th Century Louis XVI Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Fruitwood
Louis XVI Style Parquetry Secrétaire, circa 1890
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A Louis XVI style gilt bronze mounted parquetry and marquetry fall-front Secrétaire with a marble top.
Stamped to the carcass ‘10298’.
This elegantly shaped Secrétaire is deco...
Category
19th Century French Antique Louis XVI Secretaires
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
Louis XVI Style Parquetry, Gilt-Bronze and Lacquer Mounted Petit Secretaire Cabi
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A Fine Louis XVI Style Parquetry, Gilt-Bronze and Lacquer Mounted Petit Secretaire Cabinet, Attributed to Maison Beurdeley.
Stamped to the reverse of the bronze mounts to the botto...
Category
19th Century French Antique Louis XVI Secretaires
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Italian Piemontese Directoire Period Walnut Doppiocorpo Secretary Cabinet 18thC
Located in Atlanta, GA
of two piece construction and held together by metal braces on the reverse the upper section with a notched pediment crown with two doors flanked by paneled columns, the doors with v...
Category
1780s Italian Antique Louis XVI Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
Secrétaire Cabinet by Maison Vervelle Audot Successeur, circa 1860
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A gilt bronze-mounted Secrétaire cabinet with a marble top by Maison Vervelle Audot Successeur.
French, circa 1860.
Signed to the lockplate: ' Mon Vervelle Audot succ Paris / ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Louis XVI Secretaires
Materials
Bronze
18th Century Italian Inlaid Walnut Secretaire
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Elegant secretaire in walnut wood. Very simple and ideal in any environment. This secretaire is made up of two parts. A support table with a comfortable drawer on the front, elegant ...
Category
1780s Italian Antique Louis XVI Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
Louis XVI Style Secretary Stamped Quignon in Paris
By Frederic Gustave Quignon
Located in BARSAC, FR
Gustave-Frédéric Quignon
Superb Louis XVI style piece of furniture in very finely carved solid mahogany forming a secretary / document holder cabinet.
Opening 6 drawers including...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Louis XVI Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
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 parts: the scrolled cornice top above a fruitwood inl...
Category
Late 18th Century Danish Antique Louis XVI Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany, Fruitwood
Antique Danish Chest of Drawers in Oak, Made in Late 18th Century, Louis 16
Located in Odense, DK
Romantic antique chest of drawers, made by a Danish cabinetmaker in 1790-1810.. Louis XVI. This chest features great curves and carving skills and undoubtful high quality. Made in so...
Category
Late 18th Century Danish Antique Louis XVI Secretaires
Materials
Oak
Louis Seize Secretaire à abattant, End of 18th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Secretaire with fluted pilasters and two-door bottom part and white marble shelf and fire-gilded fittings. Behind the writing flap with green leather there are more drawers and compa...
Category
Late 18th Century European Antique Louis XVI Secretaires
Materials
Marble
Louis XVI Secretary in Mahogany Called Bonheur Du Jour
Located in Brussels, Brussels
lovely and rare bonheur du jour Louis XVI in mahogany from the end of the 18th century.
Very beautiful little secretary in mahogany with its...
Category
18th Century French Antique Louis XVI Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century Louis XVI Style French Secretaire with Black Marble Top
Located in Houston, TX
In the lavish world of 19th-century French design, the Louis XVI Style Secretaire with a Black Marble Top stands as a masterpiece of sophistication and functionality. Adorned with th...
Category
19th Century French Antique Louis XVI Secretaires
Materials
Marble
19th Century Carved and Painted French Oak Secretary
Located in Dallas, TX
The 19th Century Carved and Painted French Oak Secretary is an antique piece of furniture that features painted oak and nice carvings. This elegant secretary desk showcases the craft...
Category
19th Century French Antique Louis XVI Secretaires
Materials
Oak
Elegant Louis XVI Cherrywood Secrétaire Cabinet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Elegant Louis XVI cherrywood secrétaire cabinet.
Category
18th Century and Earlier French Antique Louis XVI Secretaires
Materials
Leather, Cherry
Louis XVI Style Fall Top Secretaire
Located in Belmont, MA
Louis XVI style fall top secretaire, France second half of the 19th century, mahogany veneer with white marble top. In very good condition. The sec...
Category
1890s French Antique Louis XVI Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
Elegant Louis XVI Cherrywood Secrétaire Cabinet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Elegant Louis XVI cherrywood secrétaire cabinet.
Category
18th Century and Earlier French Antique Louis XVI Secretaires
Materials
Cherry, Leather
Elegant Louis XVI Mahogany Bureau / Secretaire Cph. Approx. 1780
Located in Kastrup, DK
Elegant Louis XVI bureau / Secretaire in 3 parts.
Top with tooth cut under profiled top list.
Pair of doors with fillings, sides with profiled quartz columns.
Bottom part with slopi...
Category
Late 18th Century Danish Antique Louis XVI Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Louis XVI Cylinder Desk, South German, 1780-1800
Located in Belmont, MA
Exquisite Louis XVI Cylinder Desk, South German, 1780-1800, with beautiful walnut veneer on the outside and on the inside, including the writin...
Category
1780s German Antique Louis XVI Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
Very Fine 19th Century French Louis XVI Marquetry Secretaire Abattant by Diehl.
Located in Dallas, TX
A very fine 19th century Louis XVI marquetry inlay secretaire A Abattant by Charles Diehl. Kingwood, satinwood and tulipwood inlay with fine gilt bronze ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Louis XVI Secretaires
Materials
Bronze
Cylinder Desk, Germany, 1780
Located in Belmont, MA
Louis XVI cylinder desk, Germany circa 1780, so called "Zopfstil". Walnut, rosewood and maple veneer and intarsia. In very good refinished cond...
Category
1780s German Antique Louis XVI Secretaires
Materials
Maple, Rosewood, Walnut
18th Century Louis Seize Rosewood and Walnut Secretaire Secretary
Located in Münster, DE
Diagonal flap secretary
Louis Seize, around 1780/90, rosewood, walnut and other precious woods veneered and marquetry, 1 spacious drawer, original fittings, wax polish
Dimension...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Louis XVI Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Rosewood, Walnut, Softwood
19th Century French Louis XVI Painted Secretaire
Located in Dallas, TX
Lovely antique French Louis XVI painted secretarie. This piece has a very fine patina and nice clean lines. Top section has a nice area for display and there is a good amount of stor...
Category
19th Century French Antique Louis XVI Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Copf Style Cherry Inlay Secretaire Cabinet, ca. 1800
Located in Budapest, HU
Early 19th century hutch, (combination of a writing secretaire and a glass cabinet) in Copf-Style. The pine corpus has a cherry veneer, and has fine...
Category
Early 19th Century European Antique Louis XVI Secretaires
Materials
Cherry, Pine
20th Century Pedestal Column in the Ancient Antique Louis XVI Style Rosewood
Located in Berlin, DE
Different rosewoods on solid conifers mirrored veneer. Sides with paneled parquet decorated with grid-shaped, perforated wide measuring strips.
Cover plate with stepped veined marble...
Category
20th Century French Louis XVI Secretaires
Materials
Wood
French Mid-19th Century Louis XVI St. Secrétaire in Arbalette Shape
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A French mid 19th century Louis XVI st. tulipwood Secretaire. The secretaire has a fine quarter veneered tulipwood marquetry on the front and sides, ornamented with pierced ormolu mo...
Category
19th Century French Antique Louis XVI Secretaires
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Walnut Secretary in Louis XVI Style
Located in Vulpellac, Girona
18th century secretary in Louis XVI style in walnut. It features three large drawers on the bottom and on the top the secretary opens to five s...
Category
18th Century Spanish Antique Louis XVI Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
Louis Xvi secretaires for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Louis XVI secretaires for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage secretaires created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include case pieces and storage cabinets, tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Louis XVI secretaires made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Germany pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original secretaires, popular names associated with this style include Maison Jansen, Alfred Emmanuel Louis Beurdeley, Charles-Guillaume Diehl, and Comatec. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for secretaires differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $2,011 and tops out at $86,260 while the average work can sell for $7,765.