What is an old secretary desk?
Antique Secretary Desks The antique secretary desk has a history dating back to the seventeenth century. It originated within the French escritoire, or “small writing desk” that featured a surface that either pulled out or folded down to create a larger expanse for writing.
What does a piece of furniture called a secretary look like?
When closed, the secretary desk looks like a cross between a commode-dresser, a slant top desk and a book case. In Europe the same piece of furniture has been called bureau and bookcase and then desk and bookcase. Also, the general public usually calls this kind of desk a secretary, or secrétaire.
What are old fashioned 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 know if my secretary desk is antique?
Look carefully at the bottom, sides, and back of the drawer; if the wood shows nicks or cuts, it was probably cut with a plane, a spokeshave, or a drawknife. Straight saw marks also indicate an old piece. If the wood shows circular or arc-shaped marks, it was cut by a circular saw, not in use until about 1860.
What is a secretary desk worth?
Authentic antique secretary’s desks range in value from $500 to more than $30,000, but you may be able to find one at an online auction site or a local estate sale for $200 to $400.
How much did Pawn Stars sell the Wooton desk for?
“The Wooton desk, for anybody collecting late 19th century furniture, this is one of the ultimate pieces you would have.” Melchert asked for $14,500 and ultimately got pretty close to that with a final accepted offer of $13,500. “This thing is absolutely amazing,” said Harrison in the clip.
What is the value of an antique secretary desk?
Authentic antique secretary’s desks range in value from $500 to more than $30,000, but you may be able to find one at an online auction site or a local estate sale for $200 to $400.
What is the value of an antique Secretary?
With their popularity on the rise, antique secretary’s desks are becoming increasingly valuable, especially those with historical significance or for which the provenance (origin) is known. The desks are highly sought after by collectors and can be quite expensive. Authentic antique secretary’s desks range in value from $500 to more than $30,000 ,…
What is an antique secretary desk?
An antique secretary’s desk usually has a small hutch or bookcase on top, drawers and a pull-down writing area that hides smaller drawers and cubbies in its unused position. Some styles come without the bookcase on top.