19th Century English Oak Root Writing Desk with Bronze Fittings
Located in Marbella, ES
19th century English oak root writing desk with bronze fittings.
Mid-20th Century English Secretaires
Oak
19th Century English Oak Root Writing Desk with Bronze Fittings
Located in Marbella, ES
19th century English oak root writing desk with bronze fittings.
Oak
19th Century Ebony and Thuya Wood Bonheur Du Jour
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
For sale is a 19th century amboyna and ebony cabinet, with three quarter balustrade gallery, above two panelled doors set with Paris porcelain portrait ...
Amboyna
Early 19th Century English Regency Secretaire Chiffonier Side Cabinet
By John Mclean
Located in Dublin, IE
A fine English Regency secretaire side cabinet in the manner of John McLean. Of exceptional quality and fine design, the upper section surmounted by a pierced brass gallery above a m...
Brass
18th Century German Burr Elm and Walnut Secretary, with Ebonized Trim and Inlaid
Located in North Miami, FL
18th Century German burr elm and walnut secretary, adorned with ebonized trim and inlaid decorations and patterns. A pair of paneled doors over three small cupboards with beautiful details, over a pull-out writing surface with fitted interior, the base with three small drawers over two sets of three drawers. High quality and incredible hand-carving, one of the most expensive...
Wood, Walnut, Burl
$18,195 / item
Secretary With Drawer by Mylene Niedzialkowski
Located in Geneve, CH
Secretary With Drawer by Mylene Niedzialkowski Dimensions: W 59 x H 160. Materials: Solid oak and solid steel. A rotating secretary with engaged curves on a solid steel axis. Combin...
Steel
$13,500Sale Price|58% Off
Biedermeier Secretaire
Located in Pompano Beach, FL
Biedermeier Secretaire made of walnut and rootwood with brass hardware. Fall front writing surface with interior drawers above three large exterior drawers.
$4,918Sale Price|25% Off
ANTIQUE SHERATON REVIVAL BUREA BOOKCASE LEATHER TOP HARDWOOD WALNUT & SATiNWOOD
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this exquisite Sheraton Revival Walnut, Mahogany & Satinwood Bureau bookcase...
Leather, Hardwood, Satinwood, Walnut
1970s, Spanish, Iron Shelving with Wooden Drawers and Doors
Located in Marbella, ES
1970s Spanish iron shelving with wooden drawers and doors.
Iron
$12,000Sale Price|20% Off
Edwardian Satinwood Bonheur du Jour by Edwards & Roberts
Located in Montreal, QC
This exquisite desk, made by the celebrated partnership, is of the highest quality. The glazed upper section is perfect for the display of objet d'art, the cylinder top which is open...
Satinwood
Secretary with Flap, 1950
Located in Marseille, FR
Secretary shelves 1950 with crosspiece, with an indoor lamp of dimension height 186 cm for a width of 130 cm and a depth of 50 cm. Style: Scandinavian.
Large and Important French Secretaire of Excellent Cabinet Making
Located in Cesena, FC
Large and important French Secretaire. Impressive piece of furniture of excellent cabinetry. Externally, the cabinet looks like a cabinet with drawers and a large door finely inlaid ...
Ash, Elm, Walnut
French Upright Secrétaire Design Dry Bar, Siding Tambour Doors, Marble Top
Located in Madrid, ES
A 19th century, French secrétaire with beautiful feathered woodwork, eucalyptus fillet inlay with Louis XVI style detailing. The wood grain veneer is artfully arranged in geometric p...
Marble
Extremely Decorative Secretary Empire Style with Dummies Books
Located in Berlin, DE
Noble veneer on solid softwood. Rectangular body on chiseled bronze claw feet. Architecturally structured front with dummy and brass framed brass frames. Slightly conical pilasters o...
Wood
W015 Italian Secretaire in Wood & Inlay w/ Hand Carved Legs in Gold by Zanaboni
By Zanaboni
Located in MEDA, IT
Elegant and exclusive secretaire with legs in solid wood finely hand carved and finished in antique gold, W015 is worked with ancient techniques of traditional craftsmanship and pres...
Wood
$14,940Sale Price|52% Off
Biedermeier Tabernacle/ Secretaire
Located in Pompano Beach, FL
Biedermeier Tabernacle - walnut veneer and marquetry decorated in typical "Vienna Set-top Style". Fall front writing surface and 3 drawers in lower section. Eight drawers and a cen...
Museum Essay / Tabernacle Around 1810, Walnut
Located in Berlin, DE
Museum essay/tabernacle around 1810, walnut. Extremely rare and high-quality tabernacle with very elaborate and rich inlaid marquetry in walnut/root veneer on fir wood. High construction consisting of 3 elements. The tabernacle has many drawers...
Walnut, Fir
English Regency Walnut and Ebony Secretaire-Chest
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Very handsome English Regency walnut and ebony secretaire-chest with four drawers with pull-out secretaire with ebony in-set central writing sur...
Ebony, Walnut
Louis XVI Style Gilt-Bronze Mounted Secrétaire À Abattant
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
An Impressive Louis XVI style gilt-bronze mounted secrétaire à Abattant, In The Manner Of André Charles Boulle. This drop-front writing cabinet or secrétaire à abattant is finishe...
Ormolu
$6,850Sale Price|38% Off
Biedermeier Secretaire
Located in Pompano Beach, FL
Biedermeier Secretaire- Dark walnut with fall front writing surface, interior drawers, secret compartments and exterior drawers.
charming secretary circa 1960 in solid walnut, gilded metal base.
Located in Mouscron, WHT
charming secretary 1960 in solid walnut, gilded metal base. The leather is stained
Metal
$16,000Sale Price|36% Off
Italian Venetian Secretary, 18th Century
Located in CH
Italian Venetian Secretary (Secretaire / Bureau Cabinet) 18th Century An 18th-century Italian Venetian Baroque secretaire, crafted in burl walnut and walnut veneer, exemplifying the...
Walnut
English Regency Rosewood Secretaire Cabinet, Circa 1840s, England
Located in Queens, NY
English Regency rosewood secretaire cabinet with two upper shelves supported by a lyre form over a secretaire drawer fitted with a leather wri...
Rosewood
Elegant 19th Century French Desk – Solid Fruitwood with Bronze Accents
Located in Madrid, ES
This exquisite 19th-century French desk is a stunning example of fine craftsmanship and timeless design. Constructed from solid fruitwood, this elegant piece features intricate bronz...
Wood
Charles IV Secretaire with Drawers with Inlaid Work. Spain, 18th Century.
Located in Madrid, ES
A very rare cabinet or secretaire with a chest of drawers in solid walnut wood, inlaid with fruitwood in a neoclassical style. The central lid can be folded down, turning into a writ...
Wood, Walnut
$4,834 / item
Cube Cabinet by Jean-Baptiste Van den Heede
Located in Geneve, CH
Cube cabinet by Jean-Baptiste Van den Heede Signed and numbered Dimensions: L 30 x W 30 x H 90 cm Materials: Natural oakwood, nordic pine base Cube cabinet, auxiliary furniture for bedside table, house entrance, bar cabinet or jewel cabinet...
Wood
$18,000Sale Price|54% Off
Empire Secretaire
Located in Pompano Beach, FL
Empire Secretaire made of walnut and root wood with brass capitals and hardware. Three exterior drawers. Fall front writing surface w/five interior drawers and mirrored cubby hole. ...
19th Century Biedermeier Style Cuba-Mahogany Secretary
Located in Berlin, DE
Classicist secretary, circa 1800-1810. Cuba mahogany on solid softwood partly ebonized. High-right, architecturally designed body on conical legs. In the front three drawers. Straig...
Wood, Mahogany, Softwood
18th Century Transition Secretary, Paris, circa 1770, Master's Stamp
Located in Berlin, DE
Rose veneer on oak. High-rectangular body with finely veneered wood on four feet. Foldable writing board (leather cover missing), a drawer, lower wing door. Gilded bronze mountings. ...
Bronze
20th Century Biedermeier Style Secretaire
Located in Berlin, DE
Delicate secretaire in Biedermeier style. tulip veneer on solid pinewood, natural leather covered with gold embossing. Fine engraved, silver-gilded Bronze fixtures. (L-Mhs-40).
Bronze
Dutch Walnut Miniature Secretaire Bookcase, 18th Century
Located in GB
An 19th century Dutch walnut secretaire bookcase with undeniably striking colours. Several shelves open up to various platforms to provide a beautiful interior with a lock and key me...
Walnut
$17,500Sale Price|50% Off
Biedermeier Secretaire
Located in Pompano Beach, FL
Biedermeier secretaire made of walnut and cherry with fall front writing surface, nine interior drawers, mirrored cubby hole and three exterior drawers. Germany circa 1840.
Cherry, Walnut
$8,426Sale Price|39% Off
Biedermeier Bureau/ Commode
Located in Pompano Beach, FL
Biedermeier Bureau/ Commode made of oak,walnut, fruitwood and maple. Fall front writing surface with interior drawers above three large drawers.
Louis XVI Cylinder Secretary
Located in Brussels, BE
Louis XVI cylinder secretary.
Wood
Mid-Century Modern Secretary, Memphis Style
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Secretary, Memphis Style
Wood
Antique Biedermeier Secretary shelve circa 1810 Cuba Mahogany veneer
Located in Berlin, DE
High-quality Cuba mahogany on solid oak . Rectangular body on pointed legs. Provided with three drawers . Straight writing tablet, behind it architectur...
Mahogany
$4,354Sale Price|30% Off
Circa 1880 Solid Oak & Brass Military Campaign Chest of Drawers Secrataire Desk
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this very fine, highly collectable solid oak with over sized brass fittings Military Campaign chest of drawers with mahogany lined & brown leather ...
Brass
Lacquered Wood Desk by Stilka, Argentina, circa 1970
By Stilka
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Lacquered wood desk by Stilka, Argentina, circa 1970.
Wood
$2,495
Atomic Teak Bureau/Desk
Located in Puslinch, ON
Condition: Pre-Restored Dimensions: 37.5” L x 18.5” D x 53.75” H (29.5” Desk Height) Description: A vintage teak desk/bureau with drawers. Freshl...
Teak
Empire or Biedermeier Secretary Mahogany, 1815
Located in Berlin, DE
Very well preserved conical secretary with stepped head Front with multiply mirrored pyramid mahogany entire surface with original shellac hand polish high-quality cabinet part with thread intarsia and leg buttons very elaborate workmanship and rare furniture...
Mahogany
Secretary in mahogany with brass fittings and Intarsia from the 1840s
Located in Lejre, DK
German secretary of patinated elm wood with top and brass fittings decorated with marquetry from Berlin around the 1840s. Dimensions in cm: H:207.5 W:...
Mahogany
Louis XV Period Secretary At Doucine by Denis Louis Ancellet - 18th Century
By Denis-Louis Ancellet
Located in Rio De Janeiro, BR
Oven secretary in walnut and other european woods, opening with two leaves a flap and a drawer. The decor is composed of three medallions containing inlaid floral arrangements. Open...
Walnut
18th Century Baroque Secretaire, Lake Constance Region
Located in Belmont, MA
18th century baroque secretaire, Lake Constance region. Two-drawer body on curved square feet, foldable desk, inside six drawers, a wide shelf and a sec...
Walnut
Louise Semainier Secretaires in Smooth Copper by Paul Mathieu by S Odegard
By Stephanie Odegard Collection, Paul Mathieu (French)
Located in New York, NY
“Semainier” refers to a French piece of furniture with seven drawers (Fr. Semaine = week). It is part of the Louise Collection designed by renowned designer Paul Mathieu. A remarkabl...
Metal, Sheet Metal
Louise Semainier Secretaires in Smooth Brass by Paul Mathieu for S. Odegard
By Paul Mathieu (French), Stephanie Odegard Collection
Located in New York, NY
“Semainier” refers to a French piece of furniture with seven drawers (Fr. Semaine = week). It is part of the Louise Collection designed by renowned designer Paul Mathieu. A remarkabl...
Metal, Sheet Metal
Louise Semainier Secretaires in Smooth White Bronze by Paul Mathieu
By Paul Mathieu (French), Stephanie Odegard Collection
Located in New York, NY
“Semainier” refers to a French piece of furniture with seven drawers (Fr. Semaine = week). It is part of the Louise Collection designed by renowne...
Metal, Sheet Metal
Louise Semainier Secretaires in Fine Hammered Copper by Paul Mathieu
By Paul Mathieu (French), Stephanie Odegard Collection
Located in New York, NY
“Semainier” refers to a French piece of furniture with seven drawers (Fr. Semaine = week). It is part of the Louise Collection designed by renowne...
Metal, Sheet Metal
Louise Semainier Secretaires in Fine Hammered Antique Bronze by Paul Mathieu
By Paul Mathieu (French), Stephanie Odegard Collection
Located in New York, NY
“Semainier” refers to a French piece of furniture with seven drawers (Fr. Semaine = week). It is part of the Louise Collection designed by renowne...
Metal, Sheet Metal
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
French Mid-19th Century Louis XVI St. Secrétaire in Arbalette Shape
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A French mid 19th century Louis XVI st. tulipwood Secretaire. The secretaire has a fine quarter veneered tulipwood marquetry on the front and sides, ornamented with pierced ormolu mo...
Marble, Ormolu
$11,500Sale Price|60% Off
Biedermeier Secretaire
Located in Pompano Beach, FL
Biedermeier secretaire made of walnut, root wood and ebony with a fall front writing surface, interior drawers and secret compartments.
$7,555Sale Price|20% Off
Walnut Secretary in Louis XVI Style
Located in Vulpellac, Girona
18th century secretary in Louis XVI style in walnut. It features three large drawers on the bottom and on the top the secretary opens to five s...
Walnut
$7,500Sale Price|51% Off
Biedermeier Secretaire
Located in Pompano Beach, FL
Biedermeier secretaire made of walnut, rootwood and ebonized wood. It has a fall front writing surface with interior drawers and a cubby hole. Lower section with exterior drawers.
Wood
English Regency Sheraton-Style Secretary and Bookcase
Located in Dallas, TX
English Regency period mahogany and satinwood two-piece secretary cabinet. Pine secondary wood. Top section having a shaped cornice with an ebonized lion medallion flanked by sphinxe...
Brass
$11,500Sale Price|57% Off
Biedermeier Secretaire
Located in Pompano Beach, FL
Bureau Secretaire, Biedermeier. Walnut, birdseye, rootwood, intarsia, secret compartments.
French 19th Century Transitional St. Secretaire
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A fine 19th century French transitional cabinet/ secretaire. The whole is raised on cabriole legs with ormolu sabots below two quarter veneered tu...
Ormolu
Italian 18th Century Style Secretary
Located in Dallas, TX
Ebonized and burl walnut 18th century style secretary with panel doors that are mirrored inside and out so can display open or closed. The upper cabinet has been lined with fabric wh...
Walnut
Swiss Early 19th Century Empire Bureau Cabinet, Signed Hirschgartner
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
This fine Empire drop-front secretary (secrétaire a'abattant or secrétaire en armoire) with a writing and standing desk is signed M. Hirschgartner. Hans Martin Hirschgartner (1766-18...
Marble
Portuguese Secretaire of the 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Portuguese Secretaire of the 19th Century, in mahogany wood with inlays. Bottom with two drawers. Elevation with two shelves. Small defects Dim.: 105 x 89 x 56 cm. very good condition
Wood
$12,600Sale Price|47% Off
Biedermeier Secretaire
Located in Pompano Beach, FL
Biedermeier Secretaire made of walnut, root wood and ebony with a fall front writing surface, inside drawers and mirrored cubby hole.
Ebony
$11,500Sale Price|64% Off
Biedermeier Secretaire Napolean Style
Located in Pompano Beach, FL
Biedermeier Secretaire Napolean Style with fall front writing surface, interior drawers and secret compartments.
Birdseye Maple, Walnut
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.