What is a piece of furniture called a secretary?
What is a piece of furniture called a secretary?
A “secretary desk” is the catch-all term for a rectangular piece of furniture, usually taller than it is wide, that features built-in drawers, cabinets, and a hinged panel the can be lowered from the top to create a horizontal writing surface….
What were Secretary desks used for?
A brief history of the secretary desk “Originally, these pieces were used by the actual secretary of an estate, as a place to pay the bills and handle the affairs of a large household,” says Greg Jaron of Jarons Furniture in New Jersey.
Why are they called Secretary desks?
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.
Are secretary desks sturdy?
Veneer and Solid Wood – When they’re properly maintained, secretary desks made of veneer or solid wood offer security and durability over decades. They are perfect for traditionalists as well as people who want to achieve a timeless and vintage look inside their offices.
Are secretary desks valuable?
The secretary desk may be one of the most valuable pieces of furniture for any homeowner.
What is a secretary bookcase?
29. 2019. A secretaire bookcase is usually in the form of a desk with a base of drawers with a bookcase with a pair of mostly glass doors standing on the desktop. It stands out as one, tall, and heavy furniture piece. The other name for this is the secretary bookshelf.
How can I tell how old my secretary desk is?
Antique furniture hardware can help you assign a date to a piece, and a secretary nearly always has hinges. Take a good look at these to learn about its age. Look for a manufacturer mark or label. Often, antique secretaries will have a label affixed to the back or underside of the desk.
How do you display a secretary desk?
Favorite Ways To Use A Secretary Desk
- As a bedroom writing desk. Just Our Lovely Life.
- As a family command center/display area in a small spot. Better Homes & Gardens.
- In a neutral color, paired with a colorful chair. Better Homes & Gardens.
- In lieu of a nightstand.
- As a focal piece, anchoring a gallery wall.
How do you identify a secretary desk?
Tips to Identify an Antique Secretary Desk
- Look at the wood. Many secretary desks from the 1700s and 1800s feature exotic woods like rosewood, tulipwood, and kingwood.
- Examine the construction.
- Look for a manufacturer mark or label.
How do you date a secretary desk?
How can you tell how old a secretary desk is?
How do I know if my secretary desk is antique?
Letters and numbers are your best friends when it comes to antique furniture. Make sure to search for labels, stamps, or manufacturing tags that can tell when and where a piece was made.
What style is a secretary desk?
A secretary desk or escritoire is made of a base of wide drawers topped by a desk with a hinged desktop surface, which is in turn topped by a bookcase usually closed with a pair of doors, often made of glass. The whole is usually a single, tall and heavy piece of furniture.
What are old writing desks called?
The Secretaire is the meaning for an enclosed writing desk within a folding front. The writing section was hidden behind a folding drawer front or cupboard door on brass hinges. The antique Secretaire was first introduced in the late 18th Century Georgian period by furniture designers like Hepplewhite and Chippendale.
How do I find out how much my furniture is worth?
Contact a major auction house, such as Sotheby’s or Christie’s, for value lookups on extremely rare or valuable antique furniture. Check websites such as Antique Trader where information of events offering free antique appraisal information is posted.
Where does a secretary desk go?
As a Corner Office Whether it’s a wall alongside a set of stairs, a double-wide hallway, or just a precious stretch of empty wall space, a computer secretary desk can be deployed whenever you need it and closed up to preserve space when you don’t.
Who made my secretary desk?
Jean-Francois Oeben is credited to craft the very first secretary desk in the 18th century. Not to mention, he was the royal cabinetmaker for Louis XV at the time. Oeben designed an exclusive fall-front or drop-leaf ‘secretaire a abattant’ desk.
What old things are worth money?
Various items you’ve had in your house for years may be worth a lot more than you think. Children’s toys like action figures, baseball cards, and McDonald’s Happy Meal toys could be worth thousands of dollars. Similarly, silverware, jewelry, and vintage technology could put more money in your pocket.
What household items are worth a lot of money?
13 household items that might actually be worth something
- Vintage toys. If you have an original Star Wars toy or an early Spiderman or Batman, that’s a hot item.
- Pyrex.
- Mid-century modern furniture.
- Retro gaming systems.
- Costume jewelry.
- Men’s watches.
- Old family slides.
- Vintage couture.
