$18,000Sale Price|47% Off
Antique West Germany Secretaire with Chair, Walnut Wood, Inlay, 1800
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Exceptionally beautiful rare antique West Germany secretaire with chair. Early 19 th c, walnut wood with intricate inlay fruitwood.
Nutwood
19th Century Southern German Secretaire, Cherry, Biedermeier circa 1830
Located in Greven, DE
Plain Biedermeier Secretaire South-West Germany Cherry Biedermeier circa 1830 Dimensions: H x W x D: 149 x 101 x 52 cm Description: Secretary standing on blackened block feet with...
Cherry
Antique German Biedermeier Secretaire, Cherrywood & Burlwood, 1820
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A 19th Century, antique German Biedermeier tall secretaire with a writing flap made of hand crafted shellac polished, partly veneered Cherrywood and Burlwood, in good condition.
Metal, Brass
18th Century Baroque Secretaire, South German, 1750-1760
Located in Belmont, MA
Unique 18th century Baroque secretaire, South German, probably Lake of Constance region, circa 1750-1760.
Walnut
Louis XVI Cabinet with Secretaire, South Germany 1780
Located in Leimen, DE
This remarkable Louis XVI Secretary Cabinet, crafted in South Germany around 1780, showcases a sophisticated blend of walnut, walnut root, and cherry veneer, enhanced with intricate ...
Walnut
Fine Biedermeier Maple Secretaire, North Germany (Braunschweig), circa 1815
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
Fine Biedermeier Maple Secretaire, North Germany (Braunschweig), circa 1815 Description: An exceptional and rare Biedermeier secrétaire, crafted in North Germany, likely in the Brau...
Maple
Baroque Secretaire in Ash Wood, North German c. 1720
Located in Greding, DE
A large Baroque top secretaire with a three-door lower section with a recessed footwell on spherical feet. A two-door top with a profiled and centrally raised cornice rises above the...
Ash
18th Century Baroque Secretaire/ Writing Cabinet, Germany ca. 1770
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Remarkable, museums quality late 18th century secrétaire or writing cabinet elaborately made in the baroque period in West Germany around 1770.
Brass
$10,216Sale Price|24% Off
Early 19th Century South German Biedermeier Secretaire in Walnut
Located in Darmstadt, DE
Elegant Biedermeier secretaire crafted in South Germany around 1820. The piece combines solid walnut and walnut veneer with a striking mirrored grain on the façade.
Brass
$6,507Sale Price|20% Off
Art Nouveau Secretaire, Cherrywood & Bird's-Eye Maple, Germany, 1900
Located in Darmstadt, DE
This Art Nouveau secretaire from around 1900 was crafted in Germany and is made of solid cherrywood.
Birdseye Maple, Pine, Cherry
$6,554Sale Price|20% Off
Biedermeier Walnut Secretaire, Antique Desk from Germany, Circa 1830
Located in Darmstadt, DE
This stunning Biedermeier secretary desk is an authentic antique piece crafted from walnut wood, both inside and out. Dating back to the early 19th century, this masterpiece showcase...
Pine, Walnut
19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaire with Hidden Compartement, circa 1835
Located in Greven, DE
Antique Biedermeier secretary desk Rhineland Walnut, etc. Biedermeier, c. 1835 Dimensions: H x W x D: 163 x 108 x 50 cm Description: The tall, rectangular cabinet body rests on ro...
Walnut, Burl
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaire Desk with Secret Compartment
Located in Greven, DE
Antique Berlin Biedermeier secretary in mahogany Berlin Mahogany a.o. around 1825 Dimensions: H x W x D: 169 x 101 x 53 cm Description: When closed, this piece of furniture presen...
Mahogany, Maple
Early 19th Century German or Danish Secretaire, Mahogany, Biedermeier, c. 1815
Located in Greven, DE
Small antique Biedermeier secretary Schleswig-Holstein Mahogany and others Biedermeier around 1815 Dimensions: H x W x D: 137 x 88 x 45 cm Description: Piece of furniture standing...
Birch, Mahogany, Maple
Late 18th Century German Louis XVI Secretaire with outstanding Marquetry, c 1790
Located in Greven, DE
Classicist top-mounted secretary with elaborate marquetry Southern Germany Walnut and others Classicism around 1790 Dimensions: H x W x D: 213 x 115 x 57 cm Description: Exception...
Maple, Walnut
Eary 19th Century German Empire Secretaire with Ormolu Bustes, Berlin c. 1811
Located in Greven, DE
Antique Biedermeier secretary with fire-gilt bronzes Berlin Curly maple and others circa 1810 Dimensions: H x W x D: 141 x 88 x 49 cm Description: Rare and highly refined Berlin w...
Ormolu
Biedermeier Secretaire, Cherry Veneer, Inlays, Brass, South Germany circa 1830
Located in Regensburg, DE
Large, original Biedermeier Secretaire from South Germany around 1840. Cherry veneered on softwood and solid cherry.
Iron, Tin
Early 19th Century Cherrywood Secretaire
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
Early 19th Century Cherrywood Secretaire An elegant early 19th-century secretaire crafted from beautifully figured cherrywood. This refined piece exemplifies the restrained elegance...
Cherry
18th Century Baroque Secretaire, Lake Constance Region
Located in Belmont, MA
Very good, restored condtion. The secretaire will be shipped from Germany, shipping costs to Boston are included.
Walnut
Mid 19th Century Walnut and Mahogany Secretaire
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A magnificent mid 19th century circa 1841 continental chest secretaire slant top with figured bookmatched walnut mahogany fletches. Includes two large lower drawers and a secret bow ...
Mahogany, Walnut, Pine
Empire Secrétaire with Caryatids, Early 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Empire secretary featuring four drawers and a flat fall-front writing surface. The piece stands on ebonized and gold-patinated paw feet and is flanked by pilasters carved with wooden...
Bronze
Hand Painted White Baroque Secretaire, Saxony 18th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Baroque writing secretaire with slanted flap and curved front and frame. The secretaire has two large drawers and behind the arched writing flap small drawers and a deep compartment....
Softwood
19th Century, Original Antique Biedermeier Secretaire in Mahogany 1845-1850
Located in Berlin, DE
Mahogany on solid pinewood. High-right body on block-feet. Straight writing plate with a medallion-shaped depression. Behind it, architecturally designed interior. Curved cornice, fl...
Mahogany
Louis XVI Secretaire with Urn Decoration, around 1790
Located in Greding, DE
Louis Seize secretary featuring five drawers and a flat writing flap. Veneered with cherry wood, this secretary is adorned with fire-shaded inlays. The central motif of the laurel wr...
Bronze
19th Century Rustic Farmhouse Painted Secretaire / Chest of Drawers
Located in OOSTERHOUT, NL
This antique bureau dates from around 1850 and features a highly decorative, heavily weathered ochre-yellow paint finish. The beautiful, aged patina gives the piece a unique appearan...
Pine, Paint
Secretaire Writing Cabinet in Antique Biedermeier Style Mahogany veneer
Located in Berlin, DE
High quality rosewood veneer on solid conifers. Conical body on profile frames. Base in the front, between four drawers, straight flap with shield-shaped filling. Behind it is a rich...
Mahogany
Biedermeier Secretaire With Hidden Compartements And Rare Mechanism, circa 1815
Located in Greven, DE
Numerous stylistic influences ensured that, in contrast to guild-bound furniture centres such as Brunswick, there were a wide variety of types of writing furniture such as secrétaire...
Cherry
Early 19th Century Biedermeier Secretaire with Gilded Lions, Berlin, circa 1825
Located in Greven, DE
Antique Biedermeier secretary in conical form Berlin / Brandenburg Birch tree Biedermeier around 1825 Dimensions: H x W x D: 186 x 101 x 52 cm Description: Extravagant Biedermeier...
Birch
18th Century High Adjustable Secretaire Desk with integrated Hidden Chair, 1780
Located in Greven, DE
Antique desk as transformable furniture with standing desk and integrated chair Southern Germany Cherry around 1780 Dimensions: H x W x D: 115 x 107 x 69 cm Description: Exception...
Cherry
German Baroque Secretary Desk, 1750
Located in Leimen, DE
German Baroque Secretary Desk, Circa 1750 A rare mid-18th century German Baroque secretary desk of straight architectural form, crafted circa 1750. The façade is distinguished by an ...
Walnut
Cylinder Desk, Germany, 1780
Located in Belmont, MA
Louis XVI cylinder desk, Germany circa 1780, so called "Zopfstil". Walnut, rosewood and maple veneer and intarsia. In very good refinished condition, French polished. Original fittin...
Maple, Rosewood, Walnut
Louis XVI Secretary Desk, Germany 1780
Located in Leimen, DE
Louis XVI Secretary Desk, Germany, Circa 1780 A finely proportioned Louis XVI secretary desk, crafted in Germany circa 1780. Executed in walnut veneer with precise geometric marquetr...
Walnut
$9,245Sale Price|20% Off
Biedermeier Secretary Desk, Germany, 19th Century
Located in Wrocław, Poland
This beautiful Secretary comes from Germany and was made around 1820–1840. The piece is made of pine wood, veneered with mahogany veneer. Upper Section – the so-called Tabernacle ...
Pine
$12,000Sale Price|20% Off
Biedermeier Secretary Desk, South German, 1820
Located in Belmont, MA
Another highlight of this secretaire is the inside of the writing compartment.
Elm, Walnut
IMPORTANT GERMAN STATIONERY/SECRETAYRE 18th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
IMPORTANT GERMAN STATIONERY 18th Century plated in fruit wood with inlays representing gallant scenes and floral motifs. Wavy box with three drawers, showing factory interior with d...
Wood
19th Century German Mahogany Biedermeier Secretary Bureau
Located in Round Top, TX
19th century German mahogany secretary or "bureau" in the Biedermeier style, featuring refined proportions and architectural details. The exterior displays two full turned columns fr...
Mahogany
Biedermeier Applewood Secretary Cabinet with Mahogany Interior, Germany
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
A refined and highly decorative example of early 19th-century German Biedermeier furniture, combining elegant proportions with practical functionality.
Fruitwood
18th century Rococo Secretary Desk, Germany 1750
Located in Leimen, DE
Exquisite Antique Rococo Secretary Desk, Germany, c. 1750 A true collector’s gem, this Rococo secretary desk from Germany, circa 1750, embodies 18th-century elegance and craftsmanshi...
Kingwood
Louis XVI Secretary Bookcase, South German 1780, Cherry
Located in Leimen, DE
Louis XVI secretary bookcase, South German 1780. Elegant and unique secretary bookcase with beautiful cherry veneer and Louis XVI style geometric inlays in king wood and maple. The l...
Cherry
Antique German Biedermeier Bureau, Pinewood, Two-Part Secretary
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Wear consistent with age and use. Circa 1830 - 1840, Germany.
Glass, Pine
Biedermeier Fall Top Desk, South German, 1820
Located in Belmont, MA
Classic Biedermeier fall top desk, South German, 1820, walnut veneer on the outside and mahogany veneer on the inside. It has a beautiful veneer grain. The desk has been refinished i...
Mahogany, Walnut
German Biedermeier Olivewood Secretary Bookcase, Circa 1750
Located in Queens, NY
German Biedermeier (18th Century) olivewood secretary / bookcase in shaped rectangular with the top section having a hinged 2-door shelved cabinet with glass windows bordered by parc...
Wood
18th Century German Baroque Inlaid Marquetry Secretary Bureau
Located in Round Top, TX
18th-century German secretary or "bureau" crafted from walnut, featuring extensive marquetry. The inlaid decoration continues across the façade, with contrasting lighter woods used o...
Brass
Biedermeier Secretary Desk in Cherrywood, Germany, circa 1820
Located in Greding, DE
Biedermeier secretary desk raised on tapered square legs, featuring a three-drawer commode base and a flat fall-front writing surface. Above is a wide drawer revealing a black leathe...
Leather, Cherry
Late 18th Century Neoclassical Rolltop Bureau, Germany
Located in Greding, DE
An elegant Louis XVI, Zopfstil, roll-top secretary desk, crafted in the late 18th century. The piece features a three-drawer base and a three-door upper section with a projecting cen...
Walnut
Baroque Bureau / secretary In Walnut from Northern Germany
Located in Kastrup, DK
An elegant and architecturally refined 18th-century Baroque secretary desk crafted in oak and beautifully veneered with mirror-cut walnut in a classic and distinctive Baroque design....
Brass
Biedermeier Secretary Desk in Birch, Germany, circa 1830
Located in Greding, DE
Biedermeier secretary desk in birch veneer featuring a three-drawer base, flat fall-front writing surface, and a top drawer. The cylindrical upper section with a single door, S-shape...
Brass
$6,471Sale Price|21% Off
South German Biedermeier Secretary in Walnut, circa 1825
Located in Darmstadt, DE
This South German Biedermeier secretary from around 1825 displays a particularly striking walnut veneer with strong, mirrored patterns across the entire front. The warm, expressive g...
Brass
Rare South German Biedermeier Secretary Cabinet with Hat Box Superstructure
Located in ALHAURÍN EL GRANDE, Malaga
Southern Germany, circa 1820 A rare and exceptionally refined Biedermeier secretary cabinet in beautifully figured cherrywood, surmounted by its distinctive hat box superstructure (...
Cherry
Biedermeier Pyramid Secretary, Mahogany & Bronze, Germany, Circa 1810
Located in Greding, DE
This pyramid-shaped secretary from the early 19th century impresses with its architectural design and high-quality craftsmanship. The gable-shaped top with segmental filling is accen...
Bronze
Biedermeier Walnut Secretary Desk with Brass Fittings, Germany, 1820
Located in Leimen, DE
Biedermeier secretary desk, South west German, 1820. This beautiful drop front desk has three drawers in the lower part, they are embellished with original lion head brass fittings a...
Walnut
$7,072Sale Price|20% Off
19th Century German Biedermeier standing secretary desk walnut veneer
Located in Münster, DE
Biedermeier standing secretary desk, walnut veneer, beautifully mirrored veneer, architectural interior with maple and burl maple veneer, mirrored compartment and secret compartment...
Wood, Walnut
Louis XVI Secretary Desk, South German 1770-80, walnut
Located in Leimen, DE
Exquisite Louis XVI Secretary Desk South Germany, 1770-80 Discover a stunning Louis XVI secretary desk from South Germany (circa 1770-1780), a true masterpiece of late Baroque and ...
Walnut
$8,958Sale Price|20% Off
Original Antique Baroque Secretary Desk, Germany 18th century, Walnut
Located in Leimen, DE
Original Antique Baroque Secretary Desk, Germany, 1750 This exquisite antique Baroque secretary desk from Germany (circa 1750) is a rare find for antique furniture collectors. Featur...
Walnut
$6,950Sale Price|42% Off
Louis XVI Cylinder Desk, South German, 1780-1800
Located in Belmont, MA
Exquisite Louis XVI Cylinder Desk, South German, 1780-1800, with beautiful walnut veneer on the outside and on the inside, including the writing surface. The outside of the roll top ...
Walnut
$18,000 / item
Pyramid Secretary, Southwestern Germany, 1835
Located in New York, NY
Biedermeier secretary with pyramidal case. The piece rests on plinth legs and features three drawers of varying heights in the lower section. The flat writing flap is decorated with ...
Maple
$26,311Sale Price|20% Off
Rare North German Altona Empire Secretary, circa 1810-1815
Located in Handewitt, DE
Beautiful and rare original North German "Altona" Secretary, circa 1810-1820. Fine cuba-mahogany, Birch and elmwood veneer. Inlays in different woods. Original fittings in bronze and...
Bronze
Biedermeier Secretary Desk with Upper Cabinet, Central Germany, circa 1820
Located in Greding, DE
Biedermeier secretary desk featuring a three-drawer lower case, a fall-front writing surface, and a top drawer. The case is veneered in cherrywood and exemplifies the restrained, arc...
Cherry
$4,477Sale Price|29% Off
Biedermeier Walnut and Root Walnut Secretary, South Germany circa 1840
Located in Darmstadt, DE
Charming small Biedermeier Secretary from Southern Germany, crafted around 1840. The piece impresses with its fine walnut and walnut-root veneer on a solid pine body, polished to a w...
Birch, Pine, Walnut
Early 19th Century Biedermeier Empire Secretary, Germany, Prussia, C. 1815
Located in Greven, DE
North Germany / Prussia Birch Biedermeier / Empire around 1815 Dimensions: H x W x D: 174 x 102 x 55 cm Description: Very exclusive secretary from the Prussian North German ...
Birch, Fruitwood
German Biedermeier Secretaire
Located in Chicago, IL
This fine German Biedermeier secretaire in cherry veneer with ebonized accents signifies a step toward early modernism with its clean lines and restrained use of ebonized adornment.
Rare German Biedermeier Secretaire
Located in Long Island City, NY
Lower part with three drawers. Center part with a fall front and a seven-drawer fitted interior surrounding a niche. Stepped upper part with a door, two drawers and a beautiful, pier...
Brass
German Biedermeier Secretaire in Cherry, circa 1820
Located in Chicago, IL
German Biedermeier secretaire in cherry, circa 1820.
Cherry
Unavailable
H 79.93 in W 47.25 in D 26.38 in
Original Baroque Tabernacle/Secretaire, South-Germany 18th Century, 1730
Located in Handewitt, DE
Beautiful original baroque tabernacle/secretaire. Fine walnut veneer and marquetry in ebony.
Bronze
1820s Biedermeier Marquetry Secretaire
Located in Long Island City, NY
Biedermeier secretaire in cherry wood on oak. Fall front, frieze drawer and book match veneered doors all paneled with hair lines. Greek key details. Ebonized columns with gold le...
Magnificent Biedermeier Fall Front Secretaire
Located in Long Island City, NY
Exemplary North German Biedermeier fall front secretaire (usable as a standing desk and lectern).
Maple
Biedermeier Birch Secretaire, circa 1820
Located in Chicago, IL
Biedermeier Birch Secretaire, circa 1820. This elegant secretary, handcrafted in Germany, features three large drawers at bottom, and one large drawer above the fall front surface.
Birch
19th Century Biedermeier Birch Secretaire
Located in Toronto, ON
Fall front secretaire with a pair of free-standing columns on the exterior. It has an architectural interior with a central door flanked by a pair of columns supporting a drawer with...
Pine
1850s Biedermeier Cherry Wood Secretaire
Located in Senden, NRW
Original antique Biedermeier secretaire or bureau with beautifully ebonized framing columns. This unique single piece from the 1860s convinces with its amazing red-brown cherrywood v...
Cherry
Baroque Secretaire with Inlay Work
Located in Senden, NRW
A Baroque secretaire with an attachment, the body is made of oak and partial softwood. The front is provided with complex, very beautiful veneer inlays and ribbon inserts. The lower ...
Oak, Softwood, Ash, Maple
Signed and Dated Biedermeier Secretaire
By Jan Vlaar Von Altona
Located in Long Island City, NY
This Biedermeier fall-front secretaire is exemplary for the region of "Altona," North Germany.
Bronze, Gold, Gold Leaf
Biedermeier Mahogany Root Secretaire, circa 1820
Located in Chicago, IL
Biedermeier mahogany root secretaire, circa 1820. Elegant mahogany root veneer secretaire from Germany Biedermeier period in very good original condition.
Mahogany
Brown Biedermeier Secretaire with Walnut Veneer
Located in Senden, NRW
A great Biedermeier Secretaire made of softwood veneered with walnut wood. Beautiful grain and simple but elegant design. It has three big drawers and inside the piece 10 more drawer...
Walnut
Unavailable
H 54.75 in W 38 in D 17.5 in
Biedermeier Drop-Front Secretaire from Aileen Getty Collection
Located in San Francisco, CA
A commanding and regal Biedermeier secretaire with a drop down writing surface that reveals 18 concealed drawers. A stunning architectural and graphic statement. Dimensions of the wr...
Birch
Unavailable
H 46.86 in W 48.04 in D 23.63 in
Late Biedermeier Walnut Wood Secretaire with Hidden Compartment
Located in Senden, NRW
Wonderful 1870s late Biedermeier walnut wood secretaire with a large folding door and an interior made of cherrywood and with a hidden compartment. While the exterior features a one-...
Cherry, Walnut
Walnut Bombé Secretaire Commode, End of the 18th Century
Located in Napoli, IT
A masterpiece of cabinetmaking, such designs were an extreme expression of Rococo design in which Germany excelled.
Wood
Unavailable
H 58.75 in W 41.75 in D 18.25 in
1880 Biedermeier Walnut Dropfront Marble-Top Secretaire Desk
Located in Birmingham, AL
1880 Biedermeier Dropfront Marble Top Secretary Desk Execellent Condition with original embossed leather surface, two skeleton keys operate all three functioning locks. Beautifully b...
Walnut
Unavailable
H 58 in W 42 in D 22 in
Biedermeier Birchwood & Satinwood Drop Front Secretaire-STORE CLOSING MAY 31ST
Located in San Mateo, CA
This rare, birch and satinwood Biedermeier secretaire makes a stunning architectural statement. There are three long drawers below the drop front writing surface with a long drawer a...
Birch, Mahogany, Satinwood
Unavailable
H 50 in W 41.5 in D 20 in
Early 19th Century Empire Fall-Front Secretaire in Walnut, circa 1810
Located in Chicago, IL
Early 19th century Empire fall-front secretaire in walnut, circa 1810. This unique piece has six small drawers, three large drawers, and additional compartment doubling as a safe. Th...
Walnut
Tabernacle Baroque Secretary; 1870, Germany
Located in Homburg, DE
Tabernacle Baroque secretary - circa 1870 South Germany - Nutwood veneered on oakwood - Very heavy - French polished - Some well-camouflaged secret compartments - Massiv bra...
Brass, Bronze
Unavailable
H 82 in W 44.25 in D 24.25 in
German Birchroot Biedermeier Abbatant With Architectural Pediment
Located in Charleston, SC
This monumental Berlin Biedermeier Secretaire is one of the finest examples with its Classical Architecture of Doric Pediments, Columns, and Dental Moldings. The main structure of th...
Birch, Burl
Biedermeier Secretary from Northern Germany, circa 1825
Located in Dallas, TX
This magnificent Secrétaire à Abattant / Secretaire / Secretary is a fine example of period Biedermeier.
Wood, Birch, Walnut, Burl
SALE!-Rare Stunning German Baroque Writing Table/ Desk with Chair
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Exceptional, stunning and rare late 18 th c- beginning of 19 th c North German Writing table/ Secretaire/ Desk with a matching swivel chair, highly masterfully decorated intarsia i...
Elm, Wood
Unavailable
H 78.75 in W 39.38 in D 20.48 in
Rare North German Altona Empire Secretary, circa 1810-1815
Located in Handewitt, DE
Beautiful and rare original North German "Altona" Secretary, circa 1810-1820. Fine cuba-mahogany, Birch and elmwood veneer. Inlays in different woods. Original fittings in bronze and...
Brass, Bronze
Unavailable
H 56.7 in W 37.21 in D 18.71 in
1820-1830 German Empire-Biedermeier Secretary in Mahogany and Gilded Bronze
Located in Handewitt, DE
A 1820-1830 German Empire-Biedermeier secretary in mahogany and gilded bronze. Orignial shellac handpolished surface. Cuba-mahogany veneer on oak tree. Three large drawers and inside...
Brass, Bronze
Unavailable
H 88.98 in W 48.04 in D 23.43 in
German Baroque Secretary with Mirror and Silver Plated Fittings from 1730/35
Located in Heiligenberg, DE
Two-piece baroque secretary with mirrored doors, exceptional original silvered fittings with numerous princely crowns, walnut saw veneer on softwood, Thuringia circa 1730/35. This se...
Walnut
Unavailable
H 58.27 in W 37.01 in D 33.67 in
Biedermeier Period Pyramid Lady's Secretary by Johann Heinrich Dumrath, 1830s
By Johann Heinrich Dumrath
Located in Kiel, Schleswig-Holstein
Biedermeier Period Pyramid Lady's Secretary, Made by Johann Heinrich Dumrath, early 1830s. Made of the finest mahogany. Its delicate dimensions show that it was made as a Lady's ...
Mahogany
Unavailable
H 165 in W 104 in D 46 in
Northern European Biedermeier-style secretary from the second half of the 1800s
Located in Barletta, IT
Beautiful Northern European secretary from the second half of the 1800s, Biedermeier style, made of mahogany and mahogany featherwood. It features a drawer in the upper section surmo...
Mahogany
Your antique, new or vintage secretary desk has become the (chic) saving grace of the "new normal" at home.
Simply put, a secretary desk is a multifunctional piece of furniture with a hinged writing surface that folds open or drops down. When the leaf is folded out, small inner storage compartments — pigeonholes, cubbies, recesses or drawers — are revealed.
Traditionally, a secretary is composed of two parts — a chest of drawers on the bottom and a cabinet with shelves on the top. Taking its name from the French word for the piece, secrétaire, the secretary desk dates back to the 18th century, when Paris-based cabinetmaker Jean-François Oeben, known for his exquisite marquetry and clever mechanical desks, is thought to have invented the secrétaire à abbattant, or drop-leaf desk.
While the defining drop-down feature of the secretary desk has remained constant, the materials used, as well as its configuration, size and style have evolved over time.
At first, secretaries were typically made from exotic woods, like rosewood, tulipwood and kingwood; later, hardwoods like cherry, maple, oak and mahogany were more common. The desks also became lighter, with space carved out of the lower half for the writer’s feet or with drawers replaced by legs — making them more table-like.
When open, the secretary is a dynamic, versatile Wunderkammer. When closed, it’s a sophisticated, space-saving piece of furniture.
“A fine secretary with a good provenance adds stature and credence to its owner — it is a cornerstone piece,” says antiques dealer Stanley Weiss, who specializes in 18th- and 19th-century English and American furniture. “In this disposable world, fine furniture is always passed on and speaks to who its owner is.”
No matter what style or period you choose, and no matter how you decide to use it, the timeless, flexible secretary desk is bound to become an indispensable part of your daily routine.
Browse a range of antique and vintage secretary desks on 1stDibs, including mid-century modern secretaires, Georgian secretaires and others.
Simple or sophisticated, equipped with console, cart or custom cabinetry, these stylish bar areas deserve a toast.
Whether you’re just moving in or ready to give your home a makeover, our guide will give you pointers on tables that are fitting for every room, nook and hallway.
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