Our London showrooms
Open Mon to Fri 10am - 5pm
Open Saturdays by appointment

Bureaus & Secretaire Chests

An antique bureau, or secretaire chest, is a thing of great joy to anyone who has a number documents to keep safe, away from prying eyes, and who al…

An antique bureau, or secretaire chest, is a thing of great joy to anyone who has a number documents to keep safe, away from prying eyes, and who also needs somewhere to work, to write, and to read. A bureau or secretaire chest combines all of these functions into an attractive and secure item of furniture that is as popular today as it was when first introduced several centuries ago.

Bureaus and secretaire chests come in a number of different styles and are available to suit all types of decor and room sizes.

Petite & Elegant Bureau De Dame - French Ladies Writing Desk

The bureau de dame is a type of bureau that originated in France, hence the name, which is, in effect, a smaller version of a full size bureau intended for use by a woman. It makes the assumption of course that ladies require less space to work in as compared to men, which is probably contentious and will one day be the subject of a debate.  For now however we will just go with the flow which has been established over time and offer a nice range of bureau de dame for sale in our showroom and online, all in excellent condition.

A bureau de dame typically consists of a lockable top, sometimes curved - as in a “cylinder bureau.” Sometimes flat, it opens to reveal the storage area and, usually, a drop down writing surface, often with a leather insert writing top.

The big attraction of a bureau de dame is that they are usually small enough to fit into a space that would not be big enough to accommodate a full size bureau.

Why not take a look at our current stock of bureau de dame and contact us if you require further information about any of them?  Just use the contact details found on every page and quote the item’s reference number if you are enquiring about a particular piece of furniture.

Antique Cylinder Bureau

A cylinder bureau is one which has a curved, usually lockable top which simply rolls away into the back of the bureau to reveal all the various storage compartments, drawers, and a writing surface, usually with a hand-tooled leather insert.

Apart from their obvious usefulness as a workstation and for storage of documents that need to be under lock and key, cylinder bureaux can also be very attractive items of furniture when closed up and not in use. Nice examples in excellent condition are in demand, so if you see one that you like please do not delay in reserving it.

Antique Bureau Bookcase

Why not combine the usefulness and storage capacity of a bureau with the ability to store and display your prized collection of books, all in one piece of furniture? Great idea? Well yes, but it has been around for a long time - the bureau bookcase is the ultimate functional item of furniture that also looks fantastic, especially when it is full of lovely books - you know, the ones you never read but which look great. The bookcase element of the bureau bookcase usually has a glazed from which protects the books and keeps out the dust.

Bonheur Du Jour

Another bureau variation, the Bonheur Du Jour, is a small ladies writing desk with a fold up writing surface and a number of storage compartments or drawers that may be used for stationery, but which would also often be used to store ladies toiletries as well. Bonheur Du Jour are often highly decorated, with inlays and marquetry, and are often made from very fine timbers such as burr walnut. They are usually not very wide, less than three feet in width is commonplace, and are usually finished all the way round so they do not have to be placed against a wall. This is ideal if the Bonheur Du Jour was being taken on a trip with the lady of the house in days gone by, but still useful today since it gives you freedom to place the item anywhere you choose.

Secretaire a Abattant - Drop Leaf Desk

A Secretaire a abattant is another variation of the basic bureau idea which takes the form of a tall French writing desk with an upper part that resembles an armoire with a door at its base. The top of the secretaire a abattant is often flap-fronted and opens up in order to make a useful, large, writing surface.

Secretaire a abattant tend to be larger than other bureaus, especially in terms of their height, so care should be taken when purchasing for a room where space is limited or where ceilings are low. They are often very decorative, having marquetry and other decoration, and they make excellent display pieces.

Find the Right Antique Bureau or Secretaire Chest For Your Office - Here at Regent Antiques

We are able to offer our customers a wide choice of antique bureaus and antique secretaire chests in a range of different materials and styles, dating back anything from a few years, to a few hundred years. English, Victorian, French, Spanish and Dutch styles are all currently represented in our range with more arriving daily.

Our own restoration workshops take pride in restoring antique bureaux to their former magnificence and you will be as proud as punch to own one of them so why not take a look and see what’s in stock right now? The item’s description will tell you about the condition and whether any restoration work has been carried out.

Please also make use of the extensive photo galleries that we include with every item so that you can satisfy yourself as to the condition of the piece. Our team are always on hand, both in person at the showroom, by email or on the telephone, to discuss any aspect of the antique bureau that you are interested in. Callers are welcome at the showroom every weekday from 10am until 5pm and on some Saturdays. You will find contact details on every page and up to date opening times, including Saturday openings, on the homepage of this website.

You can get regular email notifications of new arrivals in your categories of interest just by clicking HERE.

Show more
Ref: 07326
Antique Queen Anne Double Dome Burr Walnut Bureau Bookcase C1720

Antique Queen Anne Double Dome Burr Walnut Bureau Bookcase C1720

Here we have a very fine Antique Queen Anne Bureau Bookcase or more specifically a Double Dome Bureau Bookcase in Burr walnut and dated by our experts to have been made around 1720. Although Queen Anne actually reigned from 1702 until her death in 1714, furniture made after that period is often described as Queen Anne if it is made in the style which became known by that name - this is such a piece and very typical it is too. The top section of this antique bureau is surmounted by a lovely double dome and has the additional feature of a further dome situated on each of the side returns. Beneath each of these attractive and impressive domes there are doors which are fitted with bevelled mirror plates, probably not of the period, that open in order to give access to a spacious interior fitted with adjustable shelves. There is another nice touch - below each of the doors there is a useful candle slide. The lower section has a useful and very attractive fall. Inside the fall there is a gold tooled leather writing surface in green which has been inset. When opened the fall reveals its inset leather writing surface. There is also a hidden well together with a bank of drawers with concave fronts and a number of useful pigeon holes. Situated below the fall there are two short drawers which are located to either side of a dummy drawer. Below these there are two half-width drawers and these are situated above a further two long drawers, all of which are banded with a herringbone inlay. As you would expect this Queen Anne Bureau bookcase offers a wealth of storage - drawers, pigeon holes and shelves. Down below, this large double dome bureau bookcase is mounted on later, very substantial, bracket style feet. All of the drawers in this antique bureau are oak lined and feature hand-cut dovetails. The piece is fitted with brass handles and decorative escutcheons which are typical of the period. This antique bureau bookcase is supplied with working locks and keys. Condition This lovely antique bureau bookcase has been fully and expertly restored by our own craftsmen in our own workshops and we are proud to offer it for sale in excellent condition. More Information and To View You are very welcome to email us or call us using the contact details shown above with any questions you might have about this very large antique bureau bookcase. We would also be delighted to arrange a viewing of this antique bureau bookcase at our North London warehouse, just email or call for an appointment quoting our reference as shown above so we know which item you are referring to. The showroom is open from 10am to 5pm every weekday and on occasional Saturdays - please call first before making a journey on a Saturday. Shipping, Delivery and Return This is a very large antique bureau bookcase and as such it requires careful packing and shipping. We can ship to any destination worldwide and will take care of the packing for you, but please do call or email for a quotation before purchasing the item so that we can fully discuss your requirements. We ship to any mainland UK address free of charge. If you are not satisfied with the item we offer a 14-day money back guarantee in accordance with the Distance Selling Regulations. You will be responsible for the return shipping fees for this large Queen Anne bureau bookcase, unless we have erroneously described the item in some material way and you do not receive what you were expecting. You must return the item in its original packaging and condition. Buyers are fully responsible for any customs duties or local taxes that may be incurred on items sent outside of the United Kingdom.

Dimensions in cm:

Height 209 x Width 106 x Depth 56

Dimensions in inches:

Height 6 foot, 10 inches x Width 3 foot, 6 inches x Depth 1 foot, 10 inches

£8,750.00
Ref: 07674
Antique French Rococo Revival Marquetry Secretaire a Abattant C 1850

Antique French Rococo Revival Marquetry Secretaire a Abattant C 1850

Dating from around 1850, this is a wonderful antique French Rococo Revival Secretaire a Abattant featuring ormolu mounted rosewood and marquetry. A Secretaire a abattant is a tall French writing-desk, the top part of which resembles an armoire, with a door at its base. The top is usually flap-fronted and opens in order to form a large writing surface. This gorgeous double bombe’ and serpentine piece has been skilfully and carefully made in top quality rosewood and features an overall floral and foliate marquetry decoration comprising of a flowering urn and cornucopia. The fall front still features the original inset leather writing surface. The interior of this secretaire comprises a tulipwood secretaire complete with a pair of tambour fronted tulipwood cupboards with a drawer above. Stretching over over two half width drawers, there is an open mirror backed central display compartment, used originally for displaying collectables and other items of interest. Below the secretaire there are two full width drawers, with a shaped apron raised on serpentine feet that have ormolu mounts. Topped with a lovely pink veined marble it is complete with working locks and keys. Condition: The antique Secretaire a abattant is in excellent condition having been wonderfully restored in our own workshops, by our own craftsmen. Please see the supplied photos for confirmation or, better still, visit our north London showroom and see it for yourself. More Information and To View You are very welcome to email us or call us using the contact details shown above with any questions you might have about this antique French Secretaire a abattant. We would also be delighted to arrange a viewing of this table at our North London warehouse, just email or call for an appointment quoting our reference as shown above so we know which item you are referring to. The showroom is open from 10am to 5pm every weekday and on occasional Saturdays - please call first before making a journey on a Saturday. Shipping, Delivery and Return This is an antique writing table which, like all fine furniture of this quality and age, requires careful packing and shipping. We can ship to any destination worldwide and will take care of the packing for you, but please do call or email for a quotation before purchasing the item so that we can fully discuss your requirements. We ship to any mainland UK address free of charge. If you are not satisfied with the item we offer a 14-day money back guarantee in accordance with the Distance Selling Regulations. You will be responsible for the return shipping fees for this antique French writing table, unless we have erroneously described the item in some material way and you do not receive what you were expecting. You must return the item in its original packaging and condition. Buyers are fully responsible for any customs duties or local taxes that may be incurred on items sent outside of the United Kingdom.

Dimensions in cm:

Height 152 x Width 85 x Depth 44

Dimensions in inches:

Height 5 feet x Width 2 foot, 9 inches x Depth 1 foot, 5 inches

£4,450.00
Ref: 07587
Antique Victorian Cylinder Bureau by Edwards & Roberts

Antique Victorian Cylinder Bureau by Edwards & Roberts

Here we have a very large and impressive late Victorian cylinder bureau made by the well-known and much sought after Victorian cabinet maker and retailer Edwards & Roberts of Wardour Street, London. Our antique furniture experts have dated this Victorian cylinder bureau to have been made around 1880. It is offered for sale, in excellent condition. The desk has been fully and meticulously restored by craftsmen in our own workshops and we consider it to be of “museum quality”. This lovely Victorian Cylinder Bureau would make a bold statement wherever it was situated. Anyone who selects a piece of furniture this impressive to make their place of work special will know that this cylinder bureau not only looks good but is also extremely practical. Just look at the copious amount of storage that is on offer for a start. As you can see by looking at the photographs supplied, this Victorian Cylinder Bureau houses numerous cupboards as well as a range of drawers of varying sizes and capacity and numerous other storage areas to accommodate copious amounts of stationery, books, office supplies and anything else that you like to have at hand when working. The antique cylinder bureau can be positively attributed to the makers and suppliers Edwards and Roberts of London as it has a plate showing their name, as can be seen in the gallery of photographs. The retractable top encloses a neatly fitted interior comprising six small drawers together with a bank of pigeon holes. The slide is finished nicely with an inset gold tooled burgundy leather writing surface. The other very attractive feature of this lovely Victorian bureau is the high quality inlaid marquetry work comprising of flowers, garlands and urns along with expertly accomplished satinwood crossbanding with boxwood and ebony stringing. This is a perfect match for anyone looking for a fine quality Victorian bureau by a major manufacturer such as Edwards & Roberts. More Information and To View You are very welcome to email us or call us using the contact details shown above with any questions you might have about this Edwards & Roberts bureau. We would also be delighted to arrange a viewing of this Victorian bureau at our North London warehouse, just email or call for an appointment quoting our reference as shown above so we know which antique bureau you are referring to. The showroom is open from 10am to 5pm every weekday and on occasional Saturdays - please call first before making a journey on a Saturday. Shipping, Delivery and Return This antique Edwards & Roberts bureau is a sought after piece by a major manufacturer and as such it requires careful packing and shipping. We can ship to any destination worldwide and will take care of the packing for you, but please do call or email for a quotation before purchasing the item so that we can fully discuss your requirements. We ship to any mainland UK address free of charge. If you are not satisfied with the item we offer a 14-day money back guarantee in accordance with the Distance Selling Regulations. You will be responsible for the return shipping fees for this antique Victorian bureau, unless we have erroneously described the item in some material way and you do not receive what you were expecting. You must return the item in its original packaging and condition. Buyers are fully responsible for any customs duties or local taxes that may be incurred on items sent outside of the United Kingdom.

Dimensions in cm:

Height 122 x Width 142 x Depth 76

Dimensions in inches:

Height 4 foot x Width 4 foot, 8 inches x Depth 2 foot, 6 inches

£5,250.00
Ref: 07451
Antique French Bonheur du Jour in Kingwood with Marquetry

Antique French Bonheur du Jour in Kingwood with Marquetry c.1850

We are very pleased to be able to offer this rare Antique French kingwood and marquetry inlaid Bonheur du Jour, or Ladies Writing Desk, for sale. Our experts have dated it to around 1850 and have assessed it as being in truly excellent condition, as you can see from the photographs supplied. This lovely desk features cut brass and purpleheart inlays and there are a number of superb ormolu mounts making it a perfect example of quality design. This antique bonheur de jour really is a very fine example of just how good kingwood can look and the inlay work is clearly that of an accomplished craftsman who was used to working with such top quality and valuable materials. This French bonheur de jour features a pair of glazed doors at the top which open to give access to a shelf. The interior has been expertly relined in a sumptuous burgundy damask. There is a bombe’ shaped fall which opens to reveal an inset green leather writing surface which features a gold tooled, embossed edge detail. Also revealed are the three spacious drawers which provide useful storage for your stationery and other office items. Behind the fall you will find two hidden slides that provide access to the well. The table is mounted on elegant, swept cabriole legs and we are pleased to confirm that it is supplied with its original locks and keys. As you would expect, all of the decorative escutcheons are original as are all the ormolu mounts. These items have all been skillfully cast and gilded and are all in very good, original condition as can be seen from the photographs. More Information and To View You are very welcome to email us or call us using the contact details shown above with any questions you might have about this French bonheur du jour. We would also be delighted to arrange a viewing of this item at our North London warehouse, just email or call for an appointment quoting our reference as shown above so we know which large dining table you are referring to. The showroom is open from 10am to 5pm every weekday and on occasional Saturdays - please call first before making a journey on a Saturday. Shipping, Delivery and Return This is a fine antique bonheur de jour which has remained in great condition since the 1800’s and it requires careful packing and shipping in order to remain in such a lovely state. We can ship to any destination worldwide and will take care of the packing for you, but please do call or email for a quotation before purchasing the item so that we can fully discuss your requirements. We ship to any mainland UK address free of charge. If you are not satisfied with the item we offer a 14-day money back guarantee in accordance with the Distance Selling Regulations. You will be responsible for the return shipping fees for this bonheur de jour, unless we have erroneously described the item in some material way and you do not receive what you were expecting. You must return the item in its original packaging and condition. Buyers are fully responsible for any customs duties or local taxes that may be incurred on items sent outside of the United Kingdom.

Dimensions in cm:

Height 138 x Width 88 x Depth 55

Dimensions in inches:

Height 4 foot, 6 inches x Width 2 foot, 11 inches x Depth 1 foot, 10 inches

£4,250.00

Follow Us