Sheraton Secretaire Bookcase
These sheraton secretaire bookcase pieces combine a writing surface with enclosed shelving, offering elegant storage for books and papers.
Sheraton Secretaire Bookcase
A sheraton secretaire bookcase is a dual-purpose furniture form that pairs upper shelving with a fitted writing drawer or cabinet. The selections here span the Georgian and 18th century periods alongside later revival interpretations, representing both the main neoclassical output and subsequent Edwardian revivals.
Most items you encounter combine a bookcase top with a pull-down writing drawer or cylinder front that conceals pigeonholes and small drawers. Mahogany and satinwood form the core of the physical evidence, often enhanced by marquetry and brass hardware.
The objects serve as functional writing desks and display cabinets for libraries or drawing rooms. Pieces range from grand breakfront forms to compact writing cabinets and chiffonier adaptations.
What varies in quality
The refinement of the timber figure and the complexity of the marquetry inlay determine the visual rank of an example. Finer pieces demonstrate meticulous matching of grain patterns across the doors and writing fronts.
Internal complexity sets apart standard cabinet work from superior production, particularly the architectural arrangement of the pigeonholes and concealed drawers within the secretaire section. The integration of secondary woods and the crispness of the brass mounts further distinguish the tier of craftsmanship.
Sheraton Secretaire Bookcase Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for sheraton secretaire bookcase among the pieces listed under this phrase on Sellingantiques today, from the lower quarter to the upper quarter. They describe what is for sale here now, not the wider market.
Listings feature mahogany and satinwood predominantly, alongside brass, glass, sabicu, marquetry, and ebony.
Edwards and Roberts·Gillows
The Sheraton Secretaire Bookcase Glossary
- Secretaire
- A writing cabinet or desk featuring a pull-down front that conceals small drawers and pigeonholes. It provides a concealed workspace within a larger case piece.
- Satinwood
- A pale, lustrous hardwood sourced from tropical trees, highly prized for veneering during the late eighteenth century. Its golden sheen accepts inlay and polish exceptionally well.
- Marquetry
- The art of applying pieces of veneer to a structure to form decorative patterns and pictures. Craftsmen utilised contrasting woods to create geometric designs and floral motifs.
- Sabicu
- A dense tropical timber resembling mahogany, noted for its durability and rich colour. It appears in high-status cabinet work alongside satinwood.
- Breakfront
- A cabinet design where the central section projects forward from the flanking wings. This architectural arrangement creates depth and shadow on large bookcases and sideboards.
Sheraton Secretaire Bookcase: Frequently Asked Questions
What is a sheraton secretaire bookcase?
A sheraton secretaire bookcase is a combination furniture piece featuring upper bookshelves above a lower writing cabinet with a drop-down desk drawer.
These pieces originate primarily from the late eighteenth century and the subsequent revival periods, combining display space with concealed writing compartments.
How do I use a secretaire drawer?
The secretaire drawer typically pulls forward and drops down on hinges to reveal a fitted interior of small drawers and pigeonholes. A leather or fabric writing surface is often inset into the folding flap.
When closed, the drawer locks or latches shut to conceal the writing materials and maintain the clean exterior facade of the cabinet.
How do I tell Georgian from revival pieces?
Georgian pieces exhibit eighteenth-century construction methods, timber maturity, and original hardware. The secondary woods and joinery reflect the working practices of the period.
Revival pieces, such as those from the Edwardian era, utilise machine-sawn elements and timber preparation consistent with later nineteenth and early twentieth-century manufacturing.
Where should I place this cabinet?
These tall cabinet pieces suit studies, libraries, or drawing rooms with sufficient ceiling height and wall space. Position them away from direct sunlight and heat sources to protect the veneered surfaces.
Ensure adequate floor space in front of the piece so the secretaire drawer can drop open fully for writing use.