Drop Leaf Secretary
20th Century Desks
Rosewood
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Desks
Mahogany
Antique Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Secretaires
Brass
Antique Late 19th Century Italian Louis XIV Secretaires
Walnut
Antique 19th Century French Empire Secretaires
Bronze
Vintage 1950s French Secretaires
Elm
21st Century and Contemporary American Louis XV Secretaires
Gold Leaf
Antique Early 19th Century French Biedermeier Secretaires
Brass, Other
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Secretaires
Marble, Bronze, Gold Leaf
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Oak
Antique Late 18th Century North American Victorian Secretaires
Cherry
Antique 18th Century French Louis XVI Secretaires
Bronze
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XV Lacquer
Lacquer
Antique Early 19th Century American American Classical Historical Memora...
Brass
Antique Early 18th Century French Louis XV Secretaires
Wood
Antique Late 19th Century American Chippendale Desks and Writing Tables
Mahogany
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Bookcases
Teak
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Bookcases
Teak
Antique Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Jewelry Boxes
Brass
Vintage 1930s American Sheraton End Tables
Leather, Mahogany
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Antique Early 1800s English Georgian Beds and Bed Frames
Upholstery, Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Colombian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers a...
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables
Travertine
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount
Metal, Brass
Antique 1730s French Louis XVI Chaise Longues
Oak
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Rosewood
Antique Mid-19th Century European Biedermeier Secretaires
Mahogany, Baize
Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Cabinets
Rosewood
Vintage 1930s Slovak Art Deco Buffets
Macassar, Walnut
Antique 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Wood, Paint
Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Secretaires
Birch
20th Century Empire Secretaires
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
Metal, Brass
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Naugahyde, Rosewood
Early 20th Century Danish Queen Anne Secretaires
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
Brass
Recent Sales
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Italian Secretaires
Antique 19th Century English Cupboards
Wood, Paint
Antique 19th Century French Desks
Vintage 1940s Swedish Secretaires
Vintage 1940s Swedish Secretaires
Elm
Vintage 1940s Swedish Secretaires
Vintage 1940s Swedish Neoclassical Secretaires
Birch
Vintage 1940s Swedish Desks
Vintage 1940s Swedish Desks
Early 20th Century French Desks and Writing Tables
Antique 19th Century Swiss Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Antique 19th Century Dutch Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century English Secretaires
Mid-20th Century French Shelves
Elm
Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Brass
Antique 19th Century Spanish Drop-leaf and Pembroke Tables
Vintage 1940s Swedish Secretaires
20th Century Cabinets
Vintage 1940s American Secretaires
Brass, Silver Leaf
Antique 19th Century American Neoclassical End Tables
Mahogany
20th Century Burmese Secretaires
Vintage 1940s French Secretaires
Brass
Antique 1820s French Louis XVI Secretaires
Marble, Brass
Vintage 1920s French Empire Secretaires
Marble, Bronze
Vintage 1960s Italian Hollywood Regency Secretaires
Wood
Antique Early 19th Century Unknown Secretaires
Vintage 1930s French Louis XVI Secretaires
Carrara Marble, Brass
Vintage 1940s American Streamlined Moderne Secretaires
Wood
Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Leather, Oak, Ceramic
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Teak
Vintage 1910s Italian Rococo Secretaires
Brass, Silver Leaf
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Secretaires
Carrara Marble, Gold Leaf, Brass
Early 20th Century Swedish Other Secretaires
Wood
Antique 19th Century French Other Secretaires
Mahogany
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Shelves
Rosewood
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Bookcases
Teak
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Bookcases
Teak
Antique 1780s Dutch Secretaires
Leather, Walnut
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Cabinets
Marble, Brass, Ormolu
Vintage 1940s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Elm
20th Century Swedish Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Antique Mid-19th Century Secretaires
Brass
Antique Early 19th Century American Hepplewhite Drop-leaf and Pembroke T...
Glass, Mahogany
Vintage 1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Hardwood, Pine
Mid-20th Century Queen Anne Secretaires
Wood
Antique 18th Century Italian Desks
Walnut
Antique 19th Century Italian Baroque Secretaires
Pine
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Brass
Late 20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Secretaires
Wood
20th Century French Louis XVI Secretaires
Marble, Brass
Antique Early 1900s American Late Victorian Secretaires
Brass
Vintage 1970s American Chinoiserie Bookcases
Glass, Wood
Antique Early 19th Century Italian Louis XIV Secretaires
Walnut
Antique 1820s Swedish Karl Johan Secretaires
Birch
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Teak
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks
Teak
Vintage 1940s Danish Secretaires
Early 20th Century Moroccan Campaign Secretaires
Brass
Drop Leaf Secretary For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Drop Leaf Secretary?
Finding the Right Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets 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 drop-leaf table?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertSeptember 25, 2019
A drop-leaf table has a fixed section in the center and a hinged section, or leaf, on each side that can be folded down.
- How does a drop leaf table work?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertAugust 24, 2021A drop-leaf table features a fixed section and one or more foldable sections. The well-made hinges hold the fixed and foldable sections and allow the leaves to pop up. These sections are anchored with the help of swing-out legs for secure placement. Find antique and vintage drop-leaf tables on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 28, 2021A drop-leaf table is a type of table that has a fixed portion in the center and foldable portions on either side joined by hinges. These foldable portions can be dropped and closed to save space when the table is not in use. On 1stDibs, find a variety of antique and vintage drop leaf dining tables.
- How do I date a drop-leaf table?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022To date a drop-leaf table, first look for saw marks. If you see straight ones, your table likely dates back to before the early 19th century. Pieces made after should show curved saw marks. A licensed furniture appraiser can assist you with determining an exact date. Find a range of expertly vetted drop-leaf tables on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023The first drop-leaf tables emerged during the era of the early 17th century. These first pieces usually feature a gate leg that swings out to support the leaf. Drop-leaf tables with side brackets debuted in the early 19th century. On 1stDibs, shop an assortment of drop-leaf tables.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023While you can look for markings and other details to try and determine the maker, the best way to identify an antique drop leaf table is to work with a certified appraiser. Trusted online venues and search engines can be helpful when conducting research on a specific collectible, piece of jewelry, art work or other item about which you may have questions, but qualified professionals, such as an antiques dealer or an appraiser at an auction house, have the knowledge and experience needed to make more accurate identifications. Shop a selection of antique, vintage and modern tables on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 17, 2023The difference between a gateleg table and a drop leaf table is the design of the section that you can raise to expand the piece. On a drop leaf table, the extension does not have any lower support. A gateleg table has a leg that swings out to rest beneath the extension. Find a selection of tables from some of the world's best sellers on 1stDibs.
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