What is a William IV secretaire chiffonier?

A William IV secretaire chiffonier is an English storage cabinet dating from the 1830s that combines lower cupboard doors with a fall-front upper drawer containing a fitted writing desk.

What materials were traditionally used in 1830s English desk construction?

Furniture makers in this period predominantly used solid mahogany and flame mahogany veneers, combined with hand-cut dovetail joints, pine secondary timbers, and leather writing surfaces.

How can you identify an authentic William IV secretaire?

Authentic William IV pieces feature heavy architectural detailing such as bold carved corbels, robust plinth bases, hand-cut dovetails on drawer joints, and original brass locks or handles.

How can a mahogany secretaire be styled in modern interiors?

Placing a dark mahogany secretaire against neutral walls creates a balanced focal point, offering a compact, concealable workstation suitable for living rooms, hallways, or home offices.

How should antique mahogany furniture be cared for and preserved?

Dust surfaces regularly with a soft dry cloth and apply natural beeswax polish annually, while keeping the piece away from direct sunlight and fluctuating heat sources.

for sale €1,141 $1,238

£975

Yolanda Gray Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Aug 2010

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Fitted Writing Cabinet

Vintage Secretaire Cabinet

Id #SA998937

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Antique English William IV Mahogany Secretaire Bureau Desk Chiffonier (Circa 1835)

19th century

For Sale by Yolanda Gray Antiques

Description

Summary:

• Item: Mahogany Secretaire Desk

• Circa: 1835

• Period: William IV

• Provenance: England

• Wood: Mahogany

• External inset moulded drawer & door fronts

• Original turned mahogany knobs

• Hinged pullout secretaire desktop

• Original brass desk lever lock (with key)

• Six internal rosewood drawers

• Five internal pigeon holes

• Original green & gold tooled inset leather

• Original brass hinged arm supports with locking mechanism

• Hand-dovetailed mahogany drawer linings

• Large cupboard section below

• Internal cupboard shelf

• Original plinth

• Original pine backboards

• Stunning original colour & patination

• Excellent condition

• Free delivery to England, Wales & southern Scotland*

• Free 14-day UK returns policy

Description:

This is a fine quality antique English William IV mahogany secretaire desk, constructed of mahogany, with a pull-out writing interior, circa 1835, in excellent original condition. The top drawer comprises a large pull-out section, designed with a recessed moulded front, retaining the original mahogany knobs. It slides out and folds down (by unlocking the original brass mechanism on the drawer linings) to reveal a compartmentalized desktop interior. The interior comprises of five pigeonholes, flanked by six small rosewood fronted drawers, all of which retain the original drawer knobs. The drawers are mahogany lined and hand-dovetailed, displaying fine craftmanship. The writing surface boasts the original dark green gold-tooled inset leather. The lower section of the mahogany secretaire desk comprises two large cupboard doors; with the same recessed moulded door design, flanked by acanthus leaf shaped spandrels positioned below the pull-out drawer and also above the block shaped plinth. The cupboard doors opn to reveal a spacious storage area, comprising an internal shelf. The doors retain their original working brass lever lock and original key.

Condition Report:

This is a fine quality antique English William IV mahogany secretaire desk, constructed of mahogany, with a comprehensive writing interior, circa 1835, in excellent original condition. Nominal old use marks to the top, corners and leading edges, but nothing significant considering the age of the item. The Secretaire desk retains its original drawer knobs, working locks, keys, inset leather, drawer linings, hinges and backboards. It is rare to see a piece of furniture of this quality in completely original condition. As the leather is original, there are age related old use marks to the leather surface. The Secretaire retains its original working brass locking mechanism. All drawers close flush to the frame and feature the original working locks (with a key). The mahogany secretaire desk stands on its original block plinth and incorporates the original backboards. The William IV secretaire has been cleaned and wax-polished in our work in our workshop. As it boasts the original polish, it has a fantastic mellow colour and patination; this can only be achieved through age and years of care and cleaning it has received.

Free UK Delivery*:

We offer free delivery to mainland England, Wales, and Southern Scotland (anywhere south of Stirling). *We do not offer free delivery to locations north of Stirling in Scotland, Northern Ireland, or any British Islands off the mainland; for example, the Isle of Man, Isle of White and Channel Islands.

International Buyers:

If you live outside the UK and you would like to purchase this item, please contact us before purchasing it, so that we can obtain an accurate shipping quote and delivery lead-time. The shipping quote provided is a global estimate only. The actual shipping cost will vary by country and postcode.

Physical Dimensions

Height

90cm (35.43")

Width

91cm (35.83")

Depth

44.5cm (17.52")

Declaration

Yolanda Gray Antiques has dated this William IV Mahogany Secretaire to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA998937

Dealers Internal Reference

79074

Dealers Notes

Please contact us on 01829 458 070 or 07960 738 212 to arrange a viewing. Alternatively, please email: info@yolagray.com

Description

Summary:

• Item: Mahogany Secretaire Desk

• Circa: 1835

• Period: William IV

• Provenance: England

• Wood: Mahogany

• External inset moulded drawer & door fronts

• Original turned mahogany knobs

• Hinged pullout secretaire desktop

fig 1. A William IV flame mahogany secretaire chiffonier featuring a drop-front writing drawer with internal pigeonholes above a double-door cupboard base. — fig 1. Antique English William IV Mahogany Secretaire Bureau Desk Chiffonier (Circa 1835)

• Original brass desk lever lock (with key)

• Six internal rosewood drawers

• Five internal pigeon holes

• Original green & gold tooled inset leather

• Original brass hinged arm supports with locking mechanism

fig 2. A William IV flame mahogany secretaire chiffonier featuring a drop-front writing drawer with internal pigeonholes above a double-door cupboard base. — fig 2. Antique English William IV Mahogany Secretaire Bureau Desk Chiffonier (Circa 1835)

• Hand-dovetailed mahogany drawer linings

• Large cupboard section below

• Internal cupboard shelf

• Original plinth

• Original pine backboards

• Stunning original colour & patination

• Excellent condition

• Free delivery to England, Wales & southern Scotland*

fig 3. A William IV flame mahogany secretaire chiffonier featuring a drop-front writing drawer with internal pigeonholes above a double-door cupboard base. — fig 3. Antique English William IV Mahogany Secretaire Bureau Desk Chiffonier (Circa 1835)

• Free 14-day UK returns policy

Description:

“

This is a fine quality antique English William IV mahogany secretaire desk, constructed of mahogany, with a pull-out writing interior, circa 1835, in excellent original condition.

Yolanda Gray Antiques

The top drawer comprises a large pull-out section, designed with a recessed moulded front, retaining the original mahogany knobs. It slides out and folds down (by unlocking the original brass mechanism on the drawer linings) to reveal a compartmentalized desktop interior. The interior comprises of five pigeonholes, flanked by six small rosewood fronted drawers, all of which retain the original drawer knobs. The drawers are mahogany lined and hand-dovetailed, displaying fine craftmanship. The writing surface boasts the original dark green gold-tooled inset leather. The lower section of the mahogany secretaire desk comprises two large cupboard doors; with the same recessed moulded door design, flanked by acanthus leaf shaped spandrels positioned below the pull-out drawer and also above the block shaped plinth. The cupboard doors opn to reveal a spacious storage area, comprising an internal shelf. The doors retain their original working brass lever lock and original key.

fig 4. A William IV flame mahogany secretaire chiffonier featuring a drop-front writing drawer with internal pigeonholes above a double-door cupboard base. — fig 4. Antique English William IV Mahogany Secretaire Bureau Desk Chiffonier (Circa 1835)

Condition Report:

This is a fine quality antique English William IV mahogany secretaire desk, constructed of mahogany, with a comprehensive writing interior, circa 1835, in excellent original condition. Nominal old use marks to the top, corners and leading edges, but nothing significant considering the age of the item. The Secretaire desk retains its original drawer knobs, working locks, keys, inset leather, drawer linings, hinges and backboards. It is rare to see a piece of furniture of this quality in completely original condition. As the leather is original, there are age related old use marks to the leather surface. The Secretaire retains its original working brass locking mechanism. All drawers close flush to the frame and feature the original working locks (with a key). The mahogany secretaire desk stands on its original block plinth and incorporates the original backboards. The William IV secretaire has been cleaned and wax-polished in our work in our workshop. As it boasts the original polish, it has a fantastic mellow colour and patination; this can only be achieved through age and years of care and cleaning it has received.

fig 5. A William IV flame mahogany secretaire chiffonier featuring a drop-front writing drawer with internal pigeonholes above a double-door cupboard base. — fig 5. Antique English William IV Mahogany Secretaire Bureau Desk Chiffonier (Circa 1835)

Free UK Delivery*:

We offer free delivery to mainland England, Wales, and Southern Scotland (anywhere south of Stirling). *We do not offer free delivery to locations north of Stirling in Scotland, Northern Ireland, or any British Islands off the mainland; for example, the Isle of Man, Isle of White and Channel Islands.

fig 6. A William IV flame mahogany secretaire chiffonier featuring a drop-front writing drawer with internal pigeonholes above a double-door cupboard base. — fig 6. Antique English William IV Mahogany Secretaire Bureau Desk Chiffonier (Circa 1835)

International Buyers:

If you live outside the UK and you would like to purchase this item, please contact us before purchasing it, so that we can obtain an accurate shipping quote and delivery lead-time. The shipping quote provided is a global estimate only. The actual shipping cost will vary by country and postcode.