Breakfront With Secretary
Antique 1790s English George III Bookcases
Brass
Antique 1770s English Chippendale Bookcases
Vintage 1980s American Georgian Cabinets
Brass
Vintage 1980s American Georgian Bookcases
Brass
Vintage 1960s American Georgian Desks
Brass
Antique Early 19th Century English Georgian Cabinets
Mahogany
Vintage 1930s American Georgian Cabinets
Brass
Antique 18th Century English Georgian Bookcases
Mahogany
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Cabinets
Glass, Wood
Antique 1840s French Neoclassical Secretaires
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
Antique 1850s English Victorian Cabinets
Mahogany
20th Century Unknown Georgian Bookcases
Mahogany
Antique Mid-18th Century Irish Georgian Bookcases
Mahogany
Antique 1890s English Adam Style Secretaires
Satinwood
Antique 1890s Italian Neoclassical Revival Secretaires
Walnut
Mid-20th Century American Georgian Bookcases
Brass
Antique 18th Century Italian Rococo Secretaires
Metal, Brass
Mid-20th Century North American Georgian Cabinets
Glass, Mahogany
Late 20th Century Cabinets
Cherry
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Wood
Vintage 1930s English Georgian Secretaires
Mirror, Satinwood, Walnut
Vintage 1950s Unknown Chinoiserie Secretaires
Walnut
Antique 1870s French Napoleon III Dressers
Carrara Marble, Brass, Bronze
Antique 1860s French Desks
Bronze
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Cabinets
Marble, Ormolu
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Antique Early 19th Century English Dinner Plates
Porcelain
Antique 1730s French Louis XVI Chaise Longues
Oak
Vintage 1970s Danish Dinner Plates
Gold, Enamel
Vintage 1960s American Georgian Bookcases
Brass
Vintage 1960s English Dinner Plates
Gold
Antique 1870s German Dinner Plates
Porcelain
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XIV Center Tables
Marble
Late 20th Century American Chippendale Beds and Bed Frames
Metal, Brass
20th Century English Georgian Bookcases
Yew
Antique 19th Century English George III Cupboards
Pine
Vintage 1960s American Georgian Bookcases
Blown Glass, Satinwood
20th Century Country Cupboards
Pine
Antique Mid-18th Century English Chippendale Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
20th Century American Art Nouveau Glass
Glass
Mid-20th Century American Federal Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
20th Century American Hepplewhite Drop-leaf and Pembroke Tables
Mahogany, Satinwood
Recent Sales
Antique 1780s English George III Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique Early 1800s British George III Bookcases
Mahogany
Early 20th Century Adam Style Bookcases
Mahogany, Satinwood
Antique 19th Century English Apothecary Cabinets
Mahogany
20th Century American Cabinets
Brass
Antique 19th Century Bookcases
Mid-20th Century American Georgian Cabinets
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Georgian Bookcases
Brass
Late 20th Century American Chippendale Bookcases
Brass
Antique 18th Century English George III Bookcases
Leather, Glass, Mahogany
Vintage 1940s American British Colonial Bookcases
Brass
Late 20th Century Italian Georgian Bookcases
Brass
Vintage 1940s American Georgian Bookcases
Brass
Early 20th Century American Georgian Bookcases
Brass
Vintage 1930s American Georgian Bookcases
Brass
Late 20th Century American Georgian Cabinets
Brass
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Sideboards
Glass, Wood, Lacquer
Vintage 1920s American Country Secretaires
Antique Early 19th Century English George IV Bookcases
Antique 19th Century English George III Secretaires
Glass, Wood
Mid-20th Century American Chippendale Bookcases
Brass
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Cupboards
Glass, Hardwood, Lacquer, Paint
Mid-20th Century American Chinese Chippendale Cabinets
Mahogany, Burl
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Secretaires
Leather, Glass, Mahogany
20th Century American American Colonial Desks
Bronze
Mid-20th Century American Classical Cabinets
Glass, Pine
Vintage 1980s American Georgian Bookcases
Brass
Antique 19th Century European George IV Bookcases
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century English George III Bookcases
Maple
20th Century American Cabinets
Brass
Vintage 1950s American Cabinets
Brass
Antique 19th Century English Bookcases
Brass
Antique 19th Century English George III Cabinets
Mahogany, Oak, Glass
Antique Early 19th Century English Georgian Bookcases
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century English Georgian Bookcases
Mahogany
20th Century American Hollywood Regency Bookcases
Brass, Gold Leaf
Vintage 1960s American Georgian Cabinets
Brass
Early 2000s Italian Federal Desks
Leather, Hardwood
Antique 19th Century English Bookcases
Antique 18th Century and Earlier English Bookcases
Antique Late 19th Century English Bookcases
Wood
Antique Late 19th Century English Bookcases
Mid-20th Century American Georgian Cabinets
Brass
Antique Early 1800s English George III Cabinets
Boxwood, Ebony, Satinwood
Vintage 1950s American Secretaires
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Georgian Cabinets
Brass
Antique 18th Century French Louis XVI Secretaires
Glass, Wood
Antique 19th Century Chippendale Secretaires
Glass, Mahogany
Antique 1840s Italian Rococo Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
Vintage 1920s Italian Rococo Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
Vintage 1960s Italian Louis XV Secretaires
Walnut
Vintage 1950s American Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Wire
20th Century American Bookcases
Wood
Vintage 1940s American Cabinets
Antique 1870s French Napoleon III Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Brass, Bronze
Mid-20th Century American Georgian Bookcases
Brass
Late 20th Century American Chippendale Desks
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Georgian Cabinets
Brass
Late 20th Century Georgian Bookcases
Mahogany
Vintage 1940s American Hepplewhite Secretaires
Mahogany
Breakfront With Secretary For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Breakfront With Secretary?
Finding the Right storage-case-pieces for You
Of all the antique and vintage case pieces and storage cabinets that have become popular in modern interiors over the years, dressers, credenzas and cabinets have long been home staples, perfect for routine storage or protection of personal items.
In the mid-19th century, cabinetmakers would mimic styles originating in the Louis XIV, Louis XV and Louis XVI eras for their dressers, bookshelves and other structures, and, later, simpler, streamlined wood designs allowed these “case pieces” or “case goods” — any furnishing that is unupholstered and has some semblance of a storage component — to blend into the background of any interior.
Mid-century modern furniture enthusiasts will cite the tall modular wall units crafted in teak and other sought-after woods of the era by the likes of George Nelson, Poul Cadovius and Finn Juhl. For these highly customizable furnishings, designers of the day delivered an alternative to big, heavy bookcases by considering the use of space — and, in particular, walls — in new and innovative ways. Mid-century modern credenzas, which, long and low, evolved from tables that were built as early as the 14th century in Italy, typically have no legs or very short legs and have grown in popularity as an alluring storage option over time.
Although the name immediately invokes images of clothing, dressers were initially created in Europe for a much different purpose. This furnishing was initially a flat-surfaced, low-profile side table equipped with a few drawers — a common fixture used to dress and prepare meats in English kitchens throughout the Tudor period. The drawers served as perfect utensil storage. It wasn’t until the design made its way to North America that it became enlarged and equipped with enough space to hold clothing and cosmetics. The very history of storage case pieces is a testament to their versatility and well-earned place in any room.
In the spirit of positioning your case goods center stage, decluttering can now be design-minded.
A contemporary case piece with open shelving and painted wood details can prove functional as a storage unit as easily as it can a room divider. Whether you’re seeking a playful sideboard made of colored glass and metals, an antique Italian hand-carved storage cabinet or a glass-door vitrine to store and show off your collectibles, there are options for you on 1stDibs.
- What is a breakfront cabinet?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertAugust 17, 2021A breakfront cabinet is a cabinet whose center portion projects beyond the end sections. Shop gorgeous breakfront cabinets at 1stDibs.
- What is a breakfront furniture?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertAugust 17, 2021Breakfront furniture is typically a large bureau or hutch used for displaying and storing either books or china. Breakfront furniture typically consists of three connected sections, one of which protrudes in front of the two flanking it.
- What is a breakfront bookcase?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertAugust 17, 2021A breakfront bookcase is usually a large wooden bookcase that houses either books or dishes. They’re similar in appearance to hutches in that they have glass-fronted shelving on the top and cabinets on the bottom.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022The difference between a hutch and a breakfront is their shape. Both types of storage furniture feature sectioned designs. On a breakfront, the center sections are deeper, causing them to project outward more than the rest of the piece. A hutch normally has sections of equal depth. Some also have protruding shelves. Find a collection of breakfronts and hutches on 1stDibs.
- What is a Larkin secretary?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A Larkin secretary is a type of wooden case good produced by the Larkin Company, which opened in 1875 in Buffalo, New York. The furniture featured a pull-down writing surface and upper and lower shelves. Some also had side storage cabinets and drawers. You'll find a variety of vintage and antique secretaries on 1stDibs.
- How does a secretary desk work?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A secretary desk works with the help of hinges that secure the writing surface to the rest of the piece. To use one, you simply pull down on the wooden door to open the hinge and lower the writing surface. Return the desk to its closed position by lifting the writing surface up. You'll find a selection of secretary desks on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022To 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 ExpertApril 5, 2022Secretary desks originated in the early 18th century. They were typically used by secretaries and clerks and featured plenty of compacted drawers for stationary storage. On 1stDibs, find a collection of secretary desks from some of the world’s top sellers.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023A secretary desk is called by its name because of its original function. When the desks first emerged in 19th-century France, the secretaries of estates used them to conduct business. Once they finished paying bills and reconciling accounts, they could raise the hinged writing surface and close the desk. Secretary desks are the workstations of choice in many busy households, especially those with spaces pulling double duty as offices by day and living rooms, dining rooms or bedrooms at night. On 1stDibs, shop an array of secretary desks.
- 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 28, 2021An 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.
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