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Secretaires For Sale
Danish 18th Century Bow-Fronted Rococo Secretary
Danish 18th Century Bow-Fronted Rococo Secretary

Danish 18th Century Bow-Fronted Rococo Secretary

Located in Atlanta, GA

Made in Denmark in the eighteenth century, this bow-fronted rococo secretary has been repainted in black with a blue interior. The rococo form, with its curved bow front, is seen her...

Category

18th Century Danish Rococo Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood

19th Century German Biedermeier standing secretary desk walnut veneer
19th Century German Biedermeier standing secretary desk walnut veneer

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...

Category

1820s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood, Walnut

19th Century Danish Oak Blue Painted Secretary Bureau
19th Century Danish Oak Blue Painted Secretary Bureau

19th Century Danish Oak Blue Painted Secretary Bureau

Located in Round Top, TX

This oak rococo secretary reflects the grace and class of European styling in the early 1800's. The dramatic serpentine drawers with curvaceous front add a romantic touch, all restin...

Category

Early 19th Century Danish Rococo Antique Secretaires

Materials

Oak, Paint

Rare Gunnel Nyman for Boman Secretaire in Pyramid Mahogany
Rare Gunnel Nyman for Boman Secretaire in Pyramid Mahogany

Rare Gunnel Nyman for Boman Secretaire in Pyramid Mahogany

Located in Waalwijk, NL

Gunnel Anita Gustafsson-Nyman for Oy Boman Ab, secretaire, pyramid mahogany, Finland, ca. 1937 The Finnish artist Gunnel Anita Gustafsson-Nyman (1909–1948) is best known for her gl...

Category

1930s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Brass

French Louis XVI Period Carved Oak Slant-Front Secretary Desk, Liège, Late 18th
French Louis XVI Period Carved Oak Slant-Front Secretary Desk, Liège, Late 18th

French Louis XVI Period Carved Oak Slant-Front Secretary Desk, Liège, Late 18th

Located in Atlanta, GA

A finely carved French Louis XVI period slant-front secretary desk, crafted in natural oak in the Liège region during the late 18th century. This elegant secrétaire à abattant displa...

Category

18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires

Materials

Oak

19th Century English Gothic Revival Slant-Top Secretary
19th Century English Gothic Revival Slant-Top Secretary

19th Century English Gothic Revival Slant-Top Secretary

Located in Allerum, SE

19th-Century English Gothic / Renaissance Revival Ebonized Oak Slant-Top Secretary. Constructed from oak with a dark ebonized finish, this slant-top secretary desk features extensi...

Category

18th Century English Gothic Revival Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Late 18th Century Danish Black Painted Oak Rococo Secretary Bureau
Late 18th Century Danish Black Painted Oak Rococo Secretary Bureau

Late 18th Century Danish Black Painted Oak Rococo Secretary Bureau

Located in Round Top, TX

Late 18th century Danish secretary, crafted in oak with small interior drawers made of pine. A newer professionally applied black painted finish is lightly distressed throughout, rev...

Category

Late 18th Century Danish Rococo Antique Secretaires

Materials

Oak, Pine, Paint

Early 19th Century Danish Black Painted Oak Baroque Secretary
Early 19th Century Danish Black Painted Oak Baroque Secretary

Early 19th Century Danish Black Painted Oak Baroque Secretary

Located in Round Top, TX

Early 19th century tall Danish Baroque secretary, crafted in oak. A newer professionally applied black painted finish is distressed throughout, revealing areas of the natural wood an...

Category

1780s Danish Baroque Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Antique Folk Art Secretary Desk from Northern Sweden with Original Blue Paint
Antique Folk Art Secretary Desk from Northern Sweden with Original Blue Paint

Antique Folk Art Secretary Desk from Northern Sweden with Original Blue Paint

Located in Kramfors, SE

Antique folk art secretary desk from northern Sweden made by hand in solid pine around 1850. Untouched original condition with unusual light blue paint. The desk has an interior with...

Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Folk Art Antique Secretaires

Materials

Pine

Rare 1920's English Art Deco Curved Secretaire Desk Bureau in Oak
Rare 1920's English Art Deco Curved Secretaire Desk Bureau in Oak

Rare 1920's English Art Deco Curved Secretaire Desk Bureau in Oak

Located in Leicester, GB

1920's bureaux with a host of three drawers with wooden handles. The desk can be closed with an attractive rounded lid. The desk area is lined with leather and has a tiny drawer for ...

Category

1920s British Art Deco Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Oak

18th century Swedish Gustavian secretary cabinet
18th century Swedish Gustavian secretary cabinet

18th century Swedish Gustavian secretary cabinet

Located in Atlanta, GA

An elegant late 18th century Swedish Gustavian secretary cabinet, handcrafted in pine and finished in a softly distressed original white paint with beautiful age and patina throughou...

Category

18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Antique Danish Oak Secretary Desk with Marquetry Interior, Early 19th Century
Antique Danish Oak Secretary Desk with Marquetry Interior, Early 19th Century

Antique Danish Oak Secretary Desk with Marquetry Interior, Early 19th Century

Located in Odense, DK

A charming antique Danish secretary desk crafted in oak during the early 19th century. The piece features a classic fall-front writing surface that opens to reveal an exceptionally d...

Category

Early 19th Century Danish Georgian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Oak

18th Century French Louis XVI Marquetry Secretaire Desk in Mahogany
18th Century French Louis XVI Marquetry Secretaire Desk in Mahogany

18th Century French Louis XVI Marquetry Secretaire Desk in Mahogany

Located in Winter Park, FL

An 18th century French Louis XVI marquetry secretaire, or secretary desk with bookcase. Beautifully made with book matched veneer of mahogany and fine inlay of walnut and mahogany. I...

Category

Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Antique Georgian Flame Mahogany Slant Front Secretary Writing Desk Bureau
Antique Georgian Flame Mahogany Slant Front Secretary Writing Desk Bureau

Antique Georgian Flame Mahogany Slant Front Secretary Writing Desk Bureau

Located in Dayton, OH

Exquisite antique early 19th century secretary writing storage desk. Made of flame mahogany featuring Georgian styling with three large dovetailed drawers and a drop front that open...

Category

19th Century American American Colonial Antique Secretaires

Materials

Birdseye Maple, Mahogany

Victorian Mahogany Fall Front Secretaire Desk, Antique, 1890
Victorian Mahogany Fall Front Secretaire Desk, Antique, 1890

Victorian Mahogany Fall Front Secretaire Desk, Antique, 1890

Located in Leicester, GB

This is a wonderful English antique fall front secretary desk with Mahogany finish. The secretaire is elegantly designed with beautiful sculpted feet. Beautiful colour and patina to ...

Category

1890s British Victorian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany, Pine

Burl & Carved Walnut Slant Front Marquetry Secretary Desk c1900
Burl & Carved Walnut Slant Front Marquetry Secretary Desk c1900

Burl & Carved Walnut Slant Front Marquetry Secretary Desk c1900

Located in Big Flats, NY

This exquisite antique secretary desk, crafted circa 1900, showcases a sophisticated combination of burl walnut and carved walnut construction. The piece features a distinctive slant...

Category

Early 20th Century Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

Early English Georgian Walnut Bureau or Secretaires
Early English Georgian Walnut Bureau or Secretaires

Early English Georgian Walnut Bureau or Secretaires

Located in Pease pottage, West Sussex

Early Georgian Walnut Bureau. Excellent colour and patina. Crossbanded drawers and fall which opens to a remarkable, architectural interior, including column drawers and a gilt toole...

Category

Early 18th Century English Georgian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

Parma Blue Doge Secretary with Gold Chinoiserie Dresser
Parma Blue Doge Secretary with Gold Chinoiserie Dresser

Parma Blue Doge Secretary with Gold Chinoiserie Dresser

By Porte Italia

Located in Milan, IT

The Parma Blue Doge secretary showcases exquisite chinoiserie artistry with delicate golden figures and serene landscapes. Its elegant double-door top reveals an interior in calming ...

Category

2010s Italian Secretaires

Materials

Wood

1960’s Italian Inlaid Secretaire
1960’s Italian Inlaid Secretaire

1960’s Italian Inlaid Secretaire

Located in Bradenton, FL

An Italian inlaid Venetian-style secretaire, circa 1960. Decorated throughout with walnut veneers, the drop front desk and two serpentine drawers are inlaid with satinwood marquetry ...

Category

1960s Italian Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

French Art Deco Secretary Cabinet by André Arbus
French Art Deco Secretary Cabinet by André Arbus

French Art Deco Secretary Cabinet by André Arbus

By André Arbus

Located in grand Lancy, CH

Andre Arbus Sloping mahogany secreter with two drawers and a drop-leaf door. Sycamore maple interior with six small drawers and a central niche lined with parchment; gilt bronze knob...

Category

1940s French Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Theodore Alexander Althorp Secretary Desk
Theodore Alexander Althorp Secretary Desk

Theodore Alexander Althorp Secretary Desk

Located in Annville, PA

This Theodore Alexander Althorp Secretary Desk has all the outstanding qualities of an antique original. An extremely functional piece of furniture with useful storage space, this hi...

Category

2010s Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Italian Venetian Pink Chinoiserie Secretary Desk Cabinet
Italian Venetian Pink Chinoiserie Secretary Desk Cabinet

Italian Venetian Pink Chinoiserie Secretary Desk Cabinet

Located in LOS ANGELES, CA

Italian Venetian Pink Chinoiserie Secretary Desk Cabinet. It is beautifully hand painted with yellow inside and pink outside. It comes apart in two p...

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Late 18th-Century Swedish Secretary, c. 1780-90
Late 18th-Century Swedish Secretary, c. 1780-90

Late 18th-Century Swedish Secretary, c. 1780-90

Located in Kastrup, DK

Beautiful Gustavian secrétaire desk / bureau crafted in oak and finished in a decorative light blue hue with an attractive patina. The piece is constructed in two sections, with an ...

Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass, Iron

Antique French Secretaire / Bureau in Mahogany
Antique French Secretaire / Bureau in Mahogany

Antique French Secretaire / Bureau in Mahogany

Located in Leicester, GB

Beautiful Antique French flame Mahogany secretaire/bureau/cabinet. The inside is lined with maple and finished with ebonized black details. The cabinet has got lots of charm and char...

Category

1890s French French Provincial Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

Niccolini Venetian Rococo Hand Painted Bombay Secretary Desk Signed 20thC
Niccolini Venetian Rococo Hand Painted Bombay Secretary Desk Signed 20thC

Niccolini Venetian Rococo Hand Painted Bombay Secretary Desk Signed 20thC

Located in Big Flats, NY

This distinguished Niccolini Venetian Rococo secretary desk, originating from the 20th century, is a testament to exquisite Italian craftsmanship and decorative artistry. The piece i...

Category

20th Century Secretaires

Materials

Wood

French 19th Century Louis Philippe Style Commode with Secretary
French 19th Century Louis Philippe Style Commode with Secretary

French 19th Century Louis Philippe Style Commode with Secretary

Located in Baton Rouge, LA

A gorgeous 19th century French mahogany secretary style desk, designed as a classic Louis Philippe commode incorporating the work surface and storage compartments into the top “drawe...

Category

19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires

Materials

Marble, Iron

18th Century George III Quartersawn Oak Slant-Front Bureau / Desk
18th Century George III Quartersawn Oak Slant-Front Bureau / Desk

18th Century George III Quartersawn Oak Slant-Front Bureau / Desk

Located in Houston, TX

This handsome George III slant-front bureau, dating to the late 18th century (circa 1780), is a quintessential example of English provincial craftsmanship. Constructed from solid oa...

Category

18th Century English George III Antique Secretaires

Materials

Oak

19th Century English Sheraton Mahogany Secretary Desk, 1820
19th Century English Sheraton Mahogany Secretary Desk, 1820

19th Century English Sheraton Mahogany Secretary Desk, 1820

Located in Baton Rouge, LA

A slender mahogany bureau bookcase with secretary desk, made in England, circa 1820. The secretary’s upper body is crowned with a broken pediment–a classic Sheraton feature–above gla...

Category

19th Century English Sheraton Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Swedish Gustavian Slant-Front Secretary in Original Cream Paint, 19th Century
Swedish Gustavian Slant-Front Secretary in Original Cream Paint, 19th Century

Swedish Gustavian Slant-Front Secretary in Original Cream Paint, 19th Century

Located in Atlanta, GA

A refined Swedish Gustavian slant-front secretary from the early 19th century, presented in a beautifully aged original cream-painted finish with soft green undertones inside. The cl...

Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Secretaires

Materials

Pine

Vintage Henning Kjaernulf Oak Secretary Bureau with Drop Desk Denmark 1970s
Vintage Henning Kjaernulf Oak Secretary Bureau with Drop Desk Denmark 1970s

Vintage Henning Kjaernulf Oak Secretary Bureau with Drop Desk Denmark 1970s

By Henning Kjærnulf

Located in Los Angeles, CA

This oak secretary bureau combines a drop-front writing surface with six small interior drawers and three full-width lower drawers. Sculpted legs and a shaped apron add character to ...

Category

1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Oak

Early 19th Century Biedermeier Secretaire with Gilded Lions, Berlin, circa 1825
Early 19th Century Biedermeier Secretaire with Gilded Lions, Berlin, circa 1825

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...

Category

1820s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Birch

Early 20th century Dutch Marquetry Trumeau Library Cabinet with Drop-Front Desk
Early 20th century Dutch Marquetry Trumeau Library Cabinet with Drop-Front Desk

Early 20th century Dutch Marquetry Trumeau Library Cabinet with Drop-Front Desk

Located in Tarry Town, NY

Early 20th century Dutch marquetry trumeau library cabinet with drop-front desk, finely crafted in burl walnut and richly decorated with detailed floral marquetry inlay throughout. T...

Category

1930s Dutch Baroque Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Walnut, Burl

Antique Gentleman's Bureau, English, Walnut, Writing Desk, Secretaire, Georgian
Antique Gentleman's Bureau, English, Walnut, Writing Desk, Secretaire, Georgian

Antique Gentleman's Bureau, English, Walnut, Writing Desk, Secretaire, Georgian

Located in Hele, Devon, GB

This is an antique gentleman's bureau. A fine English, walnut writing desk or secretaire, dating to the Georgian period, circa 1760. Wonderful Georgian example, with a delightful v...

Category

Mid-18th Century British Georgian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

Biedermeier Walnut Secretary Desk, Veneered, Restored, Circa 1840
Biedermeier Walnut Secretary Desk, Veneered, Restored, Circa 1840

Biedermeier Walnut Secretary Desk, Veneered, Restored, Circa 1840

Located in Greding, DE

Biedermeier secretary desk veneered in walnut, featuring three lower drawers, a flat fall-front writing surface, and a top drawer. The pilasters are designed as columns with baluste...

Category

1840s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

George III Bureau Desk or Secretary Chest from the 18th Century
George III Bureau Desk or Secretary Chest from the 18th Century

George III Bureau Desk or Secretary Chest from the 18th Century

Located in Austin, TX

A fine George III slant top desk or bureau secretary chest of elm, oak and padouk woods, c.1780 - an inlaid slant front drops to reveal a series of small drawers and document compart...

Category

18th Century English George III Antique Secretaires

Materials

Metal, Brass

19th Century Venetian Lacquer Painted Secretary Bookcase Desk
19th Century Venetian Lacquer Painted Secretary Bookcase Desk

19th Century Venetian Lacquer Painted Secretary Bookcase Desk

Located in Rio Vista, CA

An elegant and imposing late 19th century two-part Italian secretary bookcase cabinet or desk crafted in the Venetian and Rococo Revival period styles. The piece features a beautiful...

Category

Late 19th Century Italian Rococo Revival Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood, Lacquer, Paint, Glass

George III Double Secretary Bookcase of Mahogany
George III Double Secretary Bookcase of Mahogany

George III Double Secretary Bookcase of Mahogany

Located in Austin, TX

A fine English double secretary bookcase of mahogany from the late Georgian era, c.1780, featuring a crown moulded top with two astragal glazed doors, each side opening to four long ...

Category

Late 18th Century English George III Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass, Metal

18th Century Original Painted Writing Desk Secretary, Sweden
18th Century Original Painted Writing Desk Secretary, Sweden

18th Century Original Painted Writing Desk Secretary, Sweden

Located in Haddonfield, NJ

A late 18th Century Folk Art Baroque Scandinavian original painted writing desk secretary. This unique antique storage piece from Sweden features mounted original iron handles as wel...

Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Baroque Antique Secretaires

Materials

Bronze

George III Mahogany Secretary
George III Mahogany Secretary

George III Mahogany Secretary

Located in Laguna Beach, CA

George III mahogany secretary, circa 1800. The pediment with dental moldings, two glass doors with through mullions, a slant top, desk interior with central prospect door flanked by ...

Category

Early 1800s English George III Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Danish Gustavian Green Secretary Cabinet, 1780s.
Danish Gustavian Green Secretary Cabinet, 1780s.

Danish Gustavian Green Secretary Cabinet, 1780s.

Located in Asaa, DK

Danish Gustavian Green Secretary, 1780s. Extremely rare of the period Gustavian two-part secretaire cabinet made by master carpenter in southern Denmark circa 1780. This genuine an...

Category

Late 18th Century Danish Gustavian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Pine

French Provincial Style Secretary Desk with Marquetry Inlays and Key
French Provincial Style Secretary Desk with Marquetry Inlays and Key

French Provincial Style Secretary Desk with Marquetry Inlays and Key

Located in Soquel, CA

French Provincial Style Walnut Secretary Desk with Marquetry Inlays and Key. Original Finish.

Category

1860s French Provincial Antique Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

George III Period Mahogany Bureau Desk / Bookcase, late 18th / early 19thc
George III Period Mahogany Bureau Desk / Bookcase, late 18th / early 19thc

George III Period Mahogany Bureau Desk / Bookcase, late 18th / early 19thc

Located in Houston, TX

An exceptional English George III period mahogany bureau bookcase, circa 1790. This classic two-body secretary features a slender, well-proportioned silhouette. This versatile piece...

Category

Late 18th Century British George III Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

Queen Anne Period Early 18th Century Walnut Bureau
Queen Anne Period Early 18th Century Walnut Bureau

Queen Anne Period Early 18th Century Walnut Bureau

Located in Bedfordshire, GB

An Absolutely Stunning Early 18th Century Queen Anne Period Walnut Bureau, Or Writing Desk, In Good Untouched Condition Retaining Wonderful Rich Colour And Patina, Having Superbly Fi...

Category

Early 18th Century English Queen Anne Antique Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

Rare Antique Barrister's Bureau, English Secretary, Escritoire, Georgian, C.1760
Rare Antique Barrister's Bureau, English Secretary, Escritoire, Georgian, C.1760

Rare Antique Barrister's Bureau, English Secretary, Escritoire, Georgian, C.1760

Located in Hele, Devon, GB

This is a rare antique barrister's bureau. An English, mahogany and boxwood fall-front writing cabinet or secretary with myriad concealed storage, dating to the high Georgian period,...

Category

1760s British Georgian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Boxwood, Mahogany

English Chippendale Style Painted Goddard Chest Secretary Writing Desk
English Chippendale Style Painted Goddard Chest Secretary Writing Desk

English Chippendale Style Painted Goddard Chest Secretary Writing Desk

Located in Dayton, OH

Antique circa 1930s Goddard chest / writing desk featuring a drop front door that opens to multiple cubbies, three drawers and paw / claw feet. Yellowin...

Category

Early 20th Century American Chippendale Secretaires

Materials

Hardwood, Paint

Tesselated Black Marble Stone and Brass Inlay Secretaire by Maitland-Smith
Tesselated Black Marble Stone and Brass Inlay Secretaire by Maitland-Smith

Tesselated Black Marble Stone and Brass Inlay Secretaire by Maitland-Smith

Located in Casteren, NL

A monumental secretaire made by Maitland-Smith in the late 20th century. The whole piece was decorated with tessellated black marble and solid brass inlaid Greek key pattern. The low...

Category

1980s Philippine Greek Revival Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Marble, Brass

Spectacular masterspiece ladies writing secretary desk Napoleon III, 1860 France
Spectacular masterspiece ladies writing secretary desk Napoleon III, 1860 France

Spectacular masterspiece ladies writing secretary desk Napoleon III, 1860 France

Located in Wien, AT

A masterpiece of French craftsmanship - a Napoleon III era ladies writing secretary desk, circa 1860. The piece of furniture has a slender, high structure, with a richly decorated f...

Category

1860s French Antique Secretaires

Materials

Marble, Brass, Bronze

Antique 19th century English oak secretary / bureau
Antique 19th century English oak secretary / bureau

Antique 19th century English oak secretary / bureau

Located in Eindhoven, NL

A very fine antique secretary/ bureau. With writing desk, 2 large and 2 small drawers and hidden secret letter compartments. Decorated with original brass ornaments and handles. Two ...

Category

19th Century English George III Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Late 19th Century Continental Walnut Escritoire or Secretaire Abattant
Late 19th Century Continental Walnut Escritoire or Secretaire Abattant

Late 19th Century Continental Walnut Escritoire or Secretaire Abattant

Located in Milford, NH

A fine example of a Continental walnut escritoire or secretaire abattant with upper hidden locking drawer surmounting a drop front writing surface with compartmentalized interior, in...

Category

Late 19th Century Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mirror, Walnut

Mahogany Veneer Drop-Front Secretary Desk by René-Jean Caillette
Mahogany Veneer Drop-Front Secretary Desk by René-Jean Caillette

Mahogany Veneer Drop-Front Secretary Desk by René-Jean Caillette

By Rene Gabriel, Pierre Guariche, René-Jean Caillette, Marcel Gascoin

Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR

A beautiful drop-front secretary desk in mahogany veneer, designed by René-Jean Caillette for Rosier SNA furniture, stamped on the back and dating from the 1950s. This piece exemplif...

Category

1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Antique German Biedermeier Secretaire, Cherrywood & Burlwood, 1820
Antique German Biedermeier Secretaire, Cherrywood & Burlwood, 1820

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. The ...

Category

Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Metal, Brass

Late 18th-Century Scandinavian Two-Part Secretary, Circa 1790
Late 18th-Century Scandinavian Two-Part Secretary, Circa 1790

Late 18th-Century Scandinavian Two-Part Secretary, Circa 1790

Located in Atlanta, GA

This rare Scandinavian two-part secretary dates to the late 18th century and exemplifies the refined craftsmanship of Northern European furniture from the Gustavian era. The upper se...

Category

18th Century Scandinavian Gustavian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Glass, Wood

Antique Early 19th Century Plantation Desk Secretary + Bookcase Hutch Cabinet
Antique Early 19th Century Plantation Desk Secretary + Bookcase Hutch Cabinet

Antique Early 19th Century Plantation Desk Secretary + Bookcase Hutch Cabinet

Located in Dayton, OH

An exceptional mid to early 19th century primitive American Plantation writing desk / hutch / cupboard / cabinet. Made from Pine and Poplar with a cherry finish. Featuring two piec...

Category

Early 19th Century American Antique Secretaires

Materials

Poplar, Pine

Swedish Rococo Black Painted Fall Front Bureau, Circa 1770
Swedish Rococo Black Painted Fall Front Bureau, Circa 1770

Swedish Rococo Black Painted Fall Front Bureau, Circa 1770

Located in Kastrup, DK

Swedish Rococo fall front bureau crafted in the distinctive Scandinavian Rococo style, featuring elegantly curved sides and balanced proportions. The fall front opens to reveal a bea...

Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Antique, New and Vintage Secretaires

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.