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sellingantiques.co.uk
ID #SA1219569
FOR SALE
£995
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French Marquetry Secrétaire Cabinet with Ormolu
Arundel Decorative
for sale €1,164     $1,264
£995
Arundel Decorative

Arundel Decorative

Sellingantiques Verified Since Jan 2026
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    Decorative french and period english furniture
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Id #SA1219569
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French Marquetry Secrétaire Cabinet with Ormolu

19th century
Description

A beautifully made French marquetry secrétaire cabinet, dating from around 1880, richly decorated and full of late‑19th‑century Parisian elegance. The façade is adorned with intricate floral and scrolling marquetry, executed in contrasting veneers that create depth, warmth, and a refined decorative rhythm across the drawers and fall‑front featuring an ornate locking key.

The cabinet is framed with fine ormolu mounts—crisp, gilded bronze embellishments to the corners, escutcheons, and feet—adding a luxurious highlight to the richly figured wood. The proportions are balanced and architectural, with a marble top completing the piece and giving it both practicality and grandeur.

A highly decorative and functional piece, ideal for a hallway, study, or drawing room. Opening the fall‑front reveals a beautifully preserved purple velvet writing surface, rich in colour and wonderfully tactile. The velvet adds a luxurious contrast to the marquetry exterior, giving the interior a jewel‑box quality typical of late 19th‑century French cabinetry.

Within the fitted interior sit a series of small drawers, each finished with delicate ormolu handles. The gilt metalwork is finely cast, adding a touch of refinement and sparkle against the darker wood. These drawers provide practical storage for correspondence, stationery, or personal items while showcasing the cabinetmaker’s attention to detail.

Delivery can be arranged nationwide, please contact me for further details.

Physical Dimensions
Height
142cm (55.91")
Width
67cm (26.38")
Depth
39cm (15.35")
Declaration

Arundel Decorative has dated this French Marquetry Secretaire Cabinet to the 1880s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1219569
Description
A beautifully made French marquetry secrétaire cabinet, dating from around 1880, richly decorated and full of late‑19th‑century Parisian elegance. The façade is adorned with intricate floral and scrolling marquetry, executed in contrasting veneers that create depth, warmth, and a refined decorative rhythm across the drawers and fall‑front featuring an ornate locking key.
“
The cabinet is framed with fine ormolu mounts—crisp, gilded bronze embellishments to the corners, escutcheons, and feet—adding a luxurious highlight to the richly figured wood.
Arundel Decorative

The proportions are balanced and architectural, with a marble top completing the piece and giving it both practicality and grandeur.

fig 1. A tall French marquetry secretaire cabinet featuring floral wood inlays, gilt-bronze mounts, four drawers, and a marble top surface.
fig 1. French Marquetry Secrétaire Cabinet with Ormolu

A highly decorative and functional piece, ideal for a hallway, study, or drawing room. Opening the fall‑front reveals a beautifully preserved purple velvet writing surface, rich in colour and wonderfully tactile. The velvet adds a luxurious contrast to the marquetry exterior, giving the interior a jewel‑box quality typical of late 19th‑century French cabinetry.

fig 2. A tall French marquetry secretaire cabinet featuring floral wood inlays, gilt-bronze mounts, four drawers, and a marble top surface.
fig 2. French Marquetry Secrétaire Cabinet with Ormolu

Within the fitted interior sit a series of small drawers, each finished with delicate ormolu handles. The gilt metalwork is finely cast, adding a touch of refinement and sparkle against the darker wood. These drawers provide practical storage for correspondence, stationery, or personal items while showcasing the cabinetmaker’s attention to detail.

Delivery can be arranged nationwide, please contact me for further details.

Height
142cm (55.91")
Width
67cm (26.38")
Depth
39cm (15.35")
Date of Manufacture

Arundel Decorative has dated this French Marquetry Secretaire Cabinet to the 1880s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1219569
Arundel Decorative
Arundel Decorative
Sellingantiques verified Since Jan 2026

Decorative french and period english furniture

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Arundel Decorative Profile Page

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A tall French marquetry secretaire cabinet featuring floral wood inlays, gilt-bronze mounts, four drawers, and a marble top surface.
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Archive I A tall French marquetry secretaire cabinet featuring floral wood inlays, gilt-bronze mounts, four drawers, and a marble top surface.

French Marquetry Secrétaire Cabinet with Ormolu

Archive II A tall French marquetry secretaire cabinet featuring floral wood inlays, gilt-bronze mounts, four drawers, and a marble top surface. View II
Archive III A tall French marquetry secretaire cabinet featuring floral wood inlays, gilt-bronze mounts, four drawers, and a marble top surface. View III
Archive IV A tall French marquetry secretaire cabinet featuring floral wood inlays, gilt-bronze mounts, four drawers, and a marble top surface. View IV
Archive V A tall French marquetry secretaire cabinet featuring floral wood inlays, gilt-bronze mounts, four drawers, and a marble top surface. View V
Archive VI A tall French marquetry secretaire cabinet featuring floral wood inlays, gilt-bronze mounts, four drawers, and a marble top surface. View VI
Enlarged Archival View
Arundel Decorative

Arundel Decorative
Telephone 07967 604264
Location
Merchants Hall
Rear of 18 High Street
Arundel
West Sussex
BN18 9AB
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/arundeldecorative
Verified Since Jan 2026
Items For Sale 34
Items Sold 13
Arundel Decorative
Arundel Decorative
Verified Since Jan 2026
View Dealer Info
Location: Merchants Hall, Rear of 18 High Street, Arundel, West Sussex, BN18 9AB, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/arundeldecorative
Verified
Jan 2026
For Sale
34
Sold
13
A tall French marquetry secretaire cabinet featuring floral wood inlays, gilt-bronze mounts, four drawers, and a marble top surface.
French Marquetry Secrétaire Cabinet with Ormolu
Ref: SA1219569
A tall French marquetry secretaire cabinet featuring floral wood inlays, gilt-bronze mounts, four drawers, and a marble top surface.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Detail View 3
Detail View 4
Detail View 5
Archival Detail

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FAQs

A secretaire a abattant is a tall French writing cabinet characterized by a fall-front flap that opens to reveal a writing surface and small interior drawers, positioned above a series of larger drawers.

These cabinets are typically constructed with fine wood veneers such as kingwood, rosewood, and tulipwood for the marquetry, fitted with cast gilt-bronze (ormolu) mounts and topped with a contoured marble slab.

Authentic pieces feature hand-cut dovetail drawer joints, natural oxidisation on the underside and back panels, hand-chased bronze mounts, and fine saw marks on original timber elements.

Position the piece as a focal point against a neutral wall, balanced by modern linear seating and contemporary artwork to contrast the ornate woodwork and gilt detailing.

Keep the wood away from direct sunlight and central heating sources, apply high-grade beeswax periodically, and wipe the marble top using a soft, damp cloth without acidic cleaners.
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