A two-part early to mid-19th-century secretaire bookcase in mahogany and walnut. The upper section features an arcaded arrangement of four small drawers below adjustable shelving, enclosed by astragal glazed doors with shaped arches and a working lock.

Below, the base comprises a secretaire drawer with fall front, opening to a fitted interior with baize writing surface, pigeonholes, and small drawers, above three further graduated drawers. Raised on bracket feet with ebonised banding.

A well-considered combination of storage and writing function in a single vertical form.

Condition Report

In excellent antique condition with a number of historic repairs. One foot and one drawer pull have been replaced. All work is stable and in keeping with the piece.

The photographs form part of the condition report, so please review them carefully. Further images or a video viewing can be provided on request. Viewings are welcome at our Southampton unit, strictly by appointment.

If you have any questions regarding this piece, please don't hesitate to get in touch.

Physical Dimensions

Height

220.4cm (86.77")

Width

113.8cm (44.80")

Depth

55.3cm (21.77")

Declaration

Steven Swann Antiques has dated this Mahogany Secretaire Bookcase to the Regency era.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1231247

Dealers Internal Reference

SA1569

Description

A two-part early to mid-19th-century secretaire bookcase in mahogany and walnut.

“

The upper section features an arcaded arrangement of four small drawers below adjustable shelving, enclosed by astragal glazed doors with shaped arches and a working lock.

Steven Swann Antiques

fig 1. A 19th-century mahogany secretaire bookcase featuring an upper glazed cabinet with gothic arch doors and a lower chest of drawers. — fig 1. Early to Mid-19th-century Secretaire Bookcase

Below, the base comprises a secretaire drawer with fall front, opening to a fitted interior with baize writing surface, pigeonholes, and small drawers, above three further graduated drawers. Raised on bracket feet with ebonised banding.

fig 2. A 19th-century mahogany secretaire bookcase featuring an upper glazed cabinet with gothic arch doors and a lower chest of drawers. — fig 2. Early to Mid-19th-century Secretaire Bookcase

A well-considered combination of storage and writing function in a single vertical form.

Condition Report

In excellent antique condition with a number of historic repairs. One foot and one drawer pull have been replaced. All work is stable and in keeping with the piece.

fig 3. A 19th-century mahogany secretaire bookcase featuring an upper glazed cabinet with gothic arch doors and a lower chest of drawers. — fig 3. Early to Mid-19th-century Secretaire Bookcase

The photographs form part of the condition report, so please review them carefully. Further images or a video viewing can be provided on request. Viewings are welcome at our Southampton unit, strictly by appointment.

If you have any questions regarding this piece, please don't hesitate to get in touch.

Physical Dimensions

Height

220.4cm (86.77")

Width

113.8cm (44.80")

Depth

55.3cm (21.77")

Date of Manufacture

Steven Swann Antiques has dated this Mahogany Secretaire Bookcase to the Regency era.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Ref

SA1231247

Dealers Internal Ref

SA1569

About the Dealer

Steven Swann Antiques

Sellingantiques verified Since Jun 2026

Antique furniture & decorative objects | carefully selected stock

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Steven Swann Antiques Profile Page

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A 19th-century mahogany secretaire bookcase featuring an upper glazed cabinet with gothic arch doors and a lower chest of drawers.

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Archive I

Early to Mid-19th-century Secretaire Bookcase

Archive II

A 19th-century mahogany secretaire bookcase featuring an upper glazed cabinet with gothic arch doors and a lower chest of drawers. View II

Archive III

A 19th-century mahogany secretaire bookcase featuring an upper glazed cabinet with gothic arch doors and a lower chest of drawers. View III

Archive IV

A 19th-century mahogany secretaire bookcase featuring an upper glazed cabinet with gothic arch doors and a lower chest of drawers. View IV

Archive V

A 19th-century mahogany secretaire bookcase featuring an upper glazed cabinet with gothic arch doors and a lower chest of drawers. View V

Archive VI

A 19th-century mahogany secretaire bookcase featuring an upper glazed cabinet with gothic arch doors and a lower chest of drawers. View VI

Archive VII

A 19th-century mahogany secretaire bookcase featuring an upper glazed cabinet with gothic arch doors and a lower chest of drawers. View VII

Archive VIII

A 19th-century mahogany secretaire bookcase featuring an upper glazed cabinet with gothic arch doors and a lower chest of drawers. View VIII

Archive IX

A 19th-century mahogany secretaire bookcase featuring an upper glazed cabinet with gothic arch doors and a lower chest of drawers. View IX

Archive X

A 19th-century mahogany secretaire bookcase featuring an upper glazed cabinet with gothic arch doors and a lower chest of drawers. View X

Archive XI

A 19th-century mahogany secretaire bookcase featuring an upper glazed cabinet with gothic arch doors and a lower chest of drawers. View XI

Archive XII

A 19th-century mahogany secretaire bookcase featuring an upper glazed cabinet with gothic arch doors and a lower chest of drawers. View XII

Archive XIII

A 19th-century mahogany secretaire bookcase featuring an upper glazed cabinet with gothic arch doors and a lower chest of drawers. View XIII

Archive XIV

A 19th-century mahogany secretaire bookcase featuring an upper glazed cabinet with gothic arch doors and a lower chest of drawers. View XIV

Archive XV

A 19th-century mahogany secretaire bookcase featuring an upper glazed cabinet with gothic arch doors and a lower chest of drawers. View XV

A secretaire bookcase is a dual-purpose piece of storage furniture originating in the 18th century, combining a glazed upper section for books with a lower chest of drawers containing a drop-front writing desk.

19th-century secretaires were typically constructed using solid mahogany or mahogany veneers over pine frameworks, featuring hand-cut dovetail joints, brass keyhole escutcheons, and individual glass panes set within wooden astragal bars.

Authentic period pieces exhibit signs of manual craftsmanship, such as irregular hand-cut dovetail joints inside the drawers, original mouth-blown glass with subtle distortions, period-appropriate astragal glazing bars, and natural timber shrinkage on the back panels.

Position the piece as a functional focal point in a home office, library, or reception room, using the glazed upper cabinet to display curated ceramics or books while utilising the drop-front drawer as a concealed work surface.

Keep mahogany furniture away from direct sunlight and radiators to prevent timber cracking or finish fading, and apply a dedicated beeswax polish annually following the direction of the wood grain.

Steven Swann Antiques

Early to Mid-19th-century Secretaire Bookcase

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Steven Swann Antiques

Early to Mid-19th-century Secretaire Bookcase

Visitors also looked at these ⇣

Antique Mahogany Secretaire Bookcase

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Regency/early Victorian Mahogany Library Bookcase.

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Steven Swann Antiques

Strictly Vetted Dealers

Secure Transit

The Sustainable Choice

FAQs

What is a secretaire bookcase?

What materials and construction techniques were used in 19th-century secretaires?

How can you identify an authentic 19th-century secretaire bookcase?

How do you style a secretaire bookcase in a modern interior?

How should mahogany antique furniture be maintained?

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