Antique Secretaires and Secretaire Bookcases
DESKS: SECRETAIRES AND SECRETAIRE BOOKCASES
About 1710-1830
Known in the 18thC as a secretary, this piece of furniture appears as a chest of drawers with a full-width, deep, top drawer fitted like a bureau with small drawers, pigeon-holes and cupboards. The drawer pulls half out and its front drops down to form a writing-surface.
Frequently a single bookcase/display cabinet above. From about 1790, sometimes a two-door cupboard instead of drawers below, generally with glazed cabinet above. Secretaire drawer also found in tallboys and breakfront and library bookcases (see p. 35 and p. 89).
Particularly popular between about 1790 and 1810. Survivals date mostly from 1750 onwards.
Almost exactly as a chest of drawers or tallboy (see p. 89 and p. 92) but slightly taller, allowing for greater depth of single top drawer. Interior fittings as for bureaux (see p. 100) though often less ornate. Upper glazed cabinet as for bookcases (see p. 37), set back several inches from front of chest. The drawer itself usually has shaped side linings.
Nearly always mahogany; occasionally satinwood after 1780. Earliest versions in walnut; some rosewood during Regency. Only rarely found as country-made oak. Pine or mahogany for carcases (with oak or mahogany for drawer linings).
Standard methods employed (see relevant sections already listed).
Upper cabinets held in place with screws fixed through bottom shelf.
Fall-front to drawer fitted with elbow hinges released by push-button mechanism.
As for chests of drawers (p. 93). Figuring and arrangement of veneers on early pieces; some carving on mahogany; arrangements of veneers plus some neo-classical inlay in late 18thC (particularly quartered veneers and ovals on cupboard doors).
Varnish or stain, followed by wax polish.
VALUES
More a gentleman’s than a drawing-room piece and always less popular than bureaux, so relatively less valuable. Prices still in four figures though, five if very high quality with a bookcase above. Small size an advantage.
Below, Hepplewhite-style secretaire bookcase, 1780-1790; right, Chippendale-style, 1760-5.
Mahogany secretaire bookcase, about 1810-1820.
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Tags: BOOKCASES, bureau, chest of drawers, country, cupboard, Desks, display cabinet, furniture, Regency, satinwood, secretaire, secretaire bookcases, secretaires, tallboy, top drawer, VALUES