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Secretaires For Sale
Danish Teak Secretary Desk with Hidden Vanity Mirror
Danish Teak Secretary Desk with Hidden Vanity Mirror

Danish Teak Secretary Desk with Hidden Vanity Mirror

Located in Oakland, CA

Danish teak secretary desk crafted of teak with book-matched grain across the drawers. The secretary features a pull-out writing surface over three drawers. A pair of sliding glass c...

Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires

Materials

Glass, Teak

European 1800s Two-Part Painted Wood Secretary with Slanted Front Desk
European 1800s Two-Part Painted Wood Secretary with Slanted Front Desk

European 1800s Two-Part Painted Wood Secretary with Slanted Front Desk

Located in Atlanta, GA

A tall European painted wood two-part secretary from the early 19th century, with molded cornice, dentil molding, slanted front desk and graduated drawers. Created in Europe during t...

Category

Early 19th Century European Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Antique English Adams Style Hand Painted Double Bonnet Bookcase Secretary Desk
Antique English Adams Style Hand Painted Double Bonnet Bookcase Secretary Desk

Antique English Adams Style Hand Painted Double Bonnet Bookcase Secretary Desk

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Antique English Adams Style Hand Painted Double Bonnet Top Bookcase Secretary Desk. Item features a double bonnet top, hand painted figural scenes to the front and sides, 2 swing doo...

Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Other Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

Secretary Desk In English Style With Drop-Front & Display Cabinet In Mahogany
Secretary Desk In English Style With Drop-Front & Display Cabinet In Mahogany

Secretary Desk In English Style With Drop-Front & Display Cabinet In Mahogany

Located in Lejre, DK

Secretary desk in mahogany with drop-front and display cabinet in classic English style from around 1890. Elegant and functional antique furniture. — Origin: England / Europe — Peri...

Category

1890s English Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

Louis XVI Style Mahogany Secretaire Abattant
Louis XVI Style Mahogany Secretaire Abattant

Louis XVI Style Mahogany Secretaire Abattant

Located in San Francisco, CA

Early-mid 19th century Louis XVI style mahogany secretaire abattant The top having a drawer above the drop front with felt writing surface, multiple compartments/drawers. Bottom hal...

Category

Mid-19th Century European Louis XIII Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

National Cash Register Co.
National Cash Register Co.

National Cash Register Co.

By National Cash Register Co.

Located in Mexico City, CDMX

National Cash Register Co. Brass Cash Register, Early 1900s, on wooden plinth.

Category

Early 1900s American Industrial Antique Secretaires

Materials

Iron

Louis XV Style Folding Desk with One Drawer, 1950
Louis XV Style Folding Desk with One Drawer, 1950

Louis XV Style Folding Desk with One Drawer, 1950

Located in Miami, FL

Louis XV style folding desk with one drawer. An exceptional Louis XV style desk, made of early Italian antique oak wood. This piece screams high quality. Beautiful grain and patina....

Category

Mid-20th Century French Louis XV Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

Mid 20th Century, Danish Modern Oak Drop‑Front Secretary Desk / Bureau, 1960s
Mid 20th Century, Danish Modern Oak Drop‑Front Secretary Desk / Bureau, 1960s

Mid 20th Century, Danish Modern Oak Drop‑Front Secretary Desk / Bureau, 1960s

Located in Odense, DK

An elegant mid 20th century Danish oak drop‑front secretary desk / bureau featuring a classic fall‑front writing surface with beautiful, decorative brass handles that enhance its vin...

Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Louis Phillipe North German Fall-Front Secretary in Flame Mahogany, circa 1855
Louis Phillipe North German Fall-Front Secretary in Flame Mahogany, circa 1855

Louis Phillipe North German Fall-Front Secretary in Flame Mahogany, circa 1855

Located in INTERLAKEN, NY

A captivating one of a kind Louis Phillip secretary in book-matched, flame mahogany with shaped, curvi-linear drawer fronts and faux drawer fronts on the fall-front and the sides. Of...

Category

Mid-19th Century German Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century French Walnut Secretary Desk, Louis Philippe Style
19th Century French Walnut Secretary Desk, Louis Philippe Style

19th Century French Walnut Secretary Desk, Louis Philippe Style

Located in Baton Rouge, LA

A wonderful walnut secretary desk from 19th century France. The desk can be separated into two bodies: a lower writing surface, and the upper glass-front cabinet. The top cabinet ha...

Category

19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires

Materials

Walnut, Leather, Glass

18th Century Italian Painted Drop Front Secretaire
18th Century Italian Painted Drop Front Secretaire

18th Century Italian Painted Drop Front Secretaire

Located in Charleston, SC

18th century large Italian charming rustic later painted drop front secretary with multiple cubby holes and drawers above two large base drawers on short tapered legs. circa 1780, It...

Category

18th Century Italian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Iron

Biedermeier Roll-Top Secretary in Cherrywood, Saxony circa 1835
Biedermeier Roll-Top Secretary in Cherrywood, Saxony circa 1835

Biedermeier Roll-Top Secretary in Cherrywood, Saxony circa 1835

Located in Greding, DE

Biedermeier roll-top secretary raised on block-mounted square legs and fitted with three drawers in the lower section. Above is a pull-out writing surface concealed by a quarter-cyli...

Category

1830s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Cherry

19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Secretary, Cherry and Hungarian Ash, c. 1830
19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Secretary, Cherry and Hungarian Ash, c. 1830

19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Secretary, Cherry and Hungarian Ash, c. 1830

Located in Greven, DE

Antique Biedermeier secretary in cherry Austria Cherry and others Biedermeier around 1830 Dimensions: H x W x D: 167 x 94 x 51 cm Description: Very well proportioned secretary fro...

Category

1830s Austrian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Ash, Cherry

Biedermeier Secretary Desk in Cherrywood, Germany, circa 1820
Biedermeier Secretary Desk in Cherrywood, Germany, circa 1820

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...

Category

1820s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Leather, Cherry

George II Style Burl Walnut & Oak Slant-Front Diminutive Secretary Bookcase
George II Style Burl Walnut & Oak Slant-Front Diminutive Secretary Bookcase

George II Style Burl Walnut & Oak Slant-Front Diminutive Secretary Bookcase

Located in Bridgeport, CT

A George II style burl walnut and oak slant front secretary bookcase with the upper case featuring a molded crown over a wide frieze, with a large single cabinet door with brass shie...

Category

18th Century George II Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Biedermeier Secretary in Walnut, Austria, circa 1830
Biedermeier Secretary in Walnut, Austria, circa 1830

Biedermeier Secretary in Walnut, Austria, circa 1830

Located in Greding, DE

Exceptional Biedermeier secretary in walnut featuring a striking book-matched veneer pattern across the front. The fall-front writing surface displays a segment-shaped panel above a ...

Category

1830s Austrian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Carrara Marble, Brass

Late 19th Century Military Campaign Chest of Drawers, Secretary, Victorian, 1890
Late 19th Century Military Campaign Chest of Drawers, Secretary, Victorian, 1890

Late 19th Century Military Campaign Chest of Drawers, Secretary, Victorian, 1890

Located in Greven, DE

Antique ship's or captain's secretary, so-called Military Campaign Chest of Drawers England Mahogany, brass Victorian around 1890 Dimensions: H x W x D: 135 x 92 x 52 cm D...

Category

Late 19th Century English Late Victorian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Italian Venetian Coral Gilt Hand Painted Chinoiserie Secretary Desk
Mid-Century Italian Venetian Coral Gilt Hand Painted Chinoiserie Secretary Desk

Mid-Century Italian Venetian Coral Gilt Hand Painted Chinoiserie Secretary Desk

Located in Kennesaw, GA

This is a beautiful piece! This is a mid-century hand painted Italian secretary desk with elaborate hand painted chinoiserie scenes. The bombe front features three paper lined drawer...

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Secretaires

Materials

Glass, Wood, Poplar

Mid-19th Century Swedish Painted Secretary in Pine, circa 1840–1850
Mid-19th Century Swedish Painted Secretary in Pine, circa 1840–1850

Mid-19th Century Swedish Painted Secretary in Pine, circa 1840–1850

Located in Atlanta, GA

This classic Swedish antique secretary dates to the mid-19th century and exemplifies the restrained elegance of Scandinavian furniture from the period. Crafted in pine and finished i...

Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Secretaires

Materials

Pine

Early 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Mahogany Secretary Bureau
Early 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Mahogany Secretary Bureau

Early 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Mahogany Secretary Bureau

Located in Round Top, TX

Early 19th century Swedish Biedermeier mahogany secretary featuring a drop-front desk and three lower drawers. Constructed with mahogany veneer throughout, the drawers retain lionhea...

Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

18th Century Hand-Painted Venetian Style Parma Blue Pesaro Secretary with roses
18th Century Hand-Painted Venetian Style Parma Blue Pesaro Secretary with roses

18th Century Hand-Painted Venetian Style Parma Blue Pesaro Secretary with roses

By Porte Italia

Located in Ronchi dei Legionari, IT

From our Hand-Painted Furniture Collection, we are pleased to introduce you to our Parma Blue Pesaro Secretary with Roses. We love how the choice of sweet curves and pastello colors ...

Category

2010s Italian Other Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Antique Italian Marquetry Bureau Desk, Inlaid Secretary Cabinet
Antique Italian Marquetry Bureau Desk, Inlaid Secretary Cabinet

Antique Italian Marquetry Bureau Desk, Inlaid Secretary Cabinet

Located in BŘECLAV, CZ

Antique Italian marquetry bureau desk, inlaid secretary cabinet, circa 1920, fall-front writing desk define this elegant and highly decorative piece. The exterior showcases finely ex...

Category

1920s Italian Louis XV Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Antique Early George II Inlaid Mahogany Secretaire Chest 18th Century
Antique Early George II Inlaid Mahogany Secretaire Chest 18th Century

Antique Early George II Inlaid Mahogany Secretaire Chest 18th Century

Located in London, GB

This is a beautiful antique George II flame mahogany and floral marquetry secretaire chest of drawers, circa 1760 in date. The chest is fitted with brass handles, the drawer bears t...

Category

Late 18th Century English George II Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Antique Empire Classical Flame Mahogany Secretary Desk c1840
Antique Empire Classical Flame Mahogany Secretary Desk c1840

Antique Empire Classical Flame Mahogany Secretary Desk c1840

Located in Big Flats, NY

Antique Empire Classical Flame Mahogany Secretary with Blind Door Upper, Drop Down Desk and Graduated Drawers C1840 Measures - 69 3/4" x 40 1/2" x 23 3/8"

Category

Early 19th Century Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen Cabinet Bookshelf Teak 1960's Denmark
Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen Cabinet Bookshelf Teak 1960's Denmark

Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen Cabinet Bookshelf Teak 1960's Denmark

By Hvidt & Mølgaard

Located in St.Petersburg, FL

A classic, minimalist, open book case-cabinet by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen for Søborg DK. Beautiful teak with dovetail joints and nice details. The teak has turned to a dar...

Category

1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Teak

18th Century Danish Oak Secretary Bureau, Painted Black
18th Century Danish Oak Secretary Bureau, Painted Black

18th Century Danish Oak Secretary Bureau, Painted Black

Located in Round Top, TX

18th-century Danish oak secretary with a newer professionally applied layered black exterior finish and a contrasting dusky blue interior with gray undertones. The surface is lightly...

Category

18th Century Danish Rococo Antique Secretaires

Materials

Oak

Spanish Cabinet "Bargueño" or Vargueno, Painted and Gilt Walnut and Wrought Iron
Spanish Cabinet "Bargueño" or Vargueno, Painted and Gilt Walnut and Wrought Iron

Spanish Cabinet "Bargueño" or Vargueno, Painted and Gilt Walnut and Wrought Iron

Located in Miami, FL

Spanish Cabinet "Bargueño" or Vargueno, Painted and Gilt Walnut and Wrought Iron A chest on chest, the decorated cabinet rests atop a four drawer chest decorated with diamonds that ...

Category

19th Century Spanish Baroque Antique Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

Early 19th Century Swedish Secretary
Early 19th Century Swedish Secretary

Early 19th Century Swedish Secretary

Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire

Early 19th Century Swedish secretary. Doors carved with decorative detailing and opening to shelf storage. Below, a fall front desk space with nine various size drawers for storage. ...

Category

19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Midcentury Danish Modern Teak Wood Secretary Desk, Chest of Drawers, 1960s
Midcentury Danish Modern Teak Wood Secretary Desk, Chest of Drawers, 1960s

Midcentury Danish Modern Teak Wood Secretary Desk, Chest of Drawers, 1960s

Located in The Hague, NL

This midcentury Danish modern teak secretary desk was made in Denmark, circa 1960. The Classic Scandinavian Modern design has clean Minimalist lines and elegant curves. The upper cab...

Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Teak

Red Japanned Bureau Bookcase
Red Japanned Bureau Bookcase

Red Japanned Bureau Bookcase

Located in WEST PALM BEACH, FL

This is a highly decorative and stylish Chinese red painted bureau bookcase decorated overall with gilt chinoiseries. The top section contains a broken arched pediment over two confo...

Category

20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Secretaires

Materials

Wood

18th Century Black Swedish Oak Bureau - Antique Drop Front Secretary
18th Century Black Swedish Oak Bureau - Antique Drop Front Secretary

18th Century Black Swedish Oak Bureau - Antique Drop Front Secretary

Located in Kvidinge, SE

Fold-down flap with hidden drawers, secret compartment and writing interior Four larger drawers on the lower part of the front. Beautiful brass fittings, working lock and keys inc...

Category

Late 18th Century Rococo Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

19th Century Swedish Folk Art Secretary in Original Paint
19th Century Swedish Folk Art Secretary in Original Paint

19th Century Swedish Folk Art Secretary in Original Paint

Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire

Early 19th Century Swedish folk art secretary in original paint. With a curved pediment, below two doors opening to storage. Below fall front desk opening to drawers and pigeon halls...

Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Federal Cherrywood Bureau Cabinet / Desk, circa 1790
Federal Cherrywood Bureau Cabinet / Desk, circa 1790

Federal Cherrywood Bureau Cabinet / Desk, circa 1790

Located in Houston, TX

This Federal Cherrywood Bureau cabinet dates to 1790. It is a beautifully preserved example of early American Federal craftsmanship. The piece combines graceful proportions, warm p...

Category

Late 19th Century American Federal Antique Secretaires

Materials

Cherry

Scandinavian Teak Wood Rolltop Secretary Desk by Egon Ostergaard, Made in Sweden
Scandinavian Teak Wood Rolltop Secretary Desk by Egon Ostergaard, Made in Sweden

Scandinavian Teak Wood Rolltop Secretary Desk by Egon Ostergaard, Made in Sweden

By Egon Ostergaard

Located in Detroit, MI

This vintage mid century Scandinavian modern teak wood rolltop secretary desk cabinet by Egon Ostergaard was made in Sweden circa 1960. The classic Swedish modern design has clean, m...

Category

1960s Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Austro-Hungarian Secrétaire à Abattant
Austro-Hungarian Secrétaire à Abattant

Austro-Hungarian Secrétaire à Abattant

Located in Woodbury, CT

Wearing a layer of Austrian walnut root veneer, this secrétaire has a unique grain that one does not often see; it swirls and undulates across the surface drawing the eye along in a ...

Category

19th Century Hungarian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Walnut, Burl

Erling Torvits Walnut Secretary Desk with Wave Front, Denmark, 1960s
Erling Torvits Walnut Secretary Desk with Wave Front, Denmark, 1960s

Erling Torvits Walnut Secretary Desk with Wave Front, Denmark, 1960s

By Erling Torvits

Located in BERKEL EN RODENRIJS, NL

This elegant secretary desk was designed by Erling Torvits in Denmark in the 1960s. Crafted in beautiful natural walnut veneer, it features Torvits’ signature sculpted “wave” drawer ...

Category

1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

Vintage French Provincial Blue Painted Bookcase Tall Secretary Desk by Danby
Vintage French Provincial Blue Painted Bookcase Tall Secretary Desk by Danby

Vintage French Provincial Blue Painted Bookcase Tall Secretary Desk by Danby

By Danby

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Vintage French Provincial Blue Distress Painted Bookcase Tall Secretary Desk by Danby. Item features shell carved accents, working lock and key, solid wood construction, great style ...

Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown French Provincial Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Scandinavian 18th Century Bureau, c.1790
Scandinavian 18th Century Bureau, c.1790

Scandinavian 18th Century Bureau, c.1790

Located in Atlanta, GA

A refined Scandinavian bureau dating to circa 1790, crafted in pine with a beautifully aged painted finish that reflects the understated elegance of late 18th-century Northern Europe...

Category

Late 18th Century Scandinavian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood

18th Century Louis XV Italian Slant Front Desk, Hand-Carved Walnut
18th Century Louis XV Italian Slant Front Desk, Hand-Carved Walnut

18th Century Louis XV Italian Slant Front Desk, Hand-Carved Walnut

Located in Winter Park, FL

An 18th Century Louis XV style Italian scriban or slant front desk. Made of solid walnut with serpentine front, raised side panels and two dovetailed drawers with hand-carved details...

Category

18th Century and Earlier French Louis XV Antique Secretaires

Materials

Iron

Rhode Island Empire Butler's Chest of Drawers with Desk in Mahogany, circa 1825
Rhode Island Empire Butler's Chest of Drawers with Desk in Mahogany, circa 1825

Rhode Island Empire Butler's Chest of Drawers with Desk in Mahogany, circa 1825

Located in INTERLAKEN, NY

A beautiful example of an early American Empire chest with full-column front and stand-up butlers desk. Provides ample storage as a chest of drawers, and doubles as a secretary with ...

Category

1820s American American Empire Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Unique Venetian Italian Paint Decorated Secretary Desk with Bookcase Circa 1890s
Unique Venetian Italian Paint Decorated Secretary Desk with Bookcase Circa 1890s

Unique Venetian Italian Paint Decorated Secretary Desk with Bookcase Circa 1890s

Located in Swedesboro, NJ

This Venetian Italian paint decorated secretary desk with bookcase, circa 1890s, is a remarkable example of hand-crafted artistry and old-world European charm. Exuding the opulence a...

Category

1890s Italian Neoclassical Revival Antique Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

Venetian Italian Style Polychrome Secretary Bookcase
Venetian Italian Style Polychrome Secretary Bookcase

Venetian Italian Style Polychrome Secretary Bookcase

Located in Tarry Town, NY

Embrace the timeless charm of this Classic Venetian Style Italian Polychrome Lacquered Hand-Painted two parts Bookcase, a piece of furniture that exudes both artistry and history. Th...

Category

Early 20th Century Italian Victorian Secretaires

Materials

Wood, Paint

Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaire Desk with Secret Compartment
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaire Desk with Secret Compartment

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...

Category

1820s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany, Maple

Venetian Style Chinoiserie Decorated Parcel Gilt Secretary
Venetian Style Chinoiserie Decorated Parcel Gilt Secretary

Venetian Style Chinoiserie Decorated Parcel Gilt Secretary

Located in Rio Vista, CA

Fantastic 20th century Italian lacquered secretary bookcase decorated in the Venetian taste with dramatic Chinoiserie motifs. The two-part case has an intentionally distressed painte...

Category

20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Early 19th Century Tall Swedish Black Secretary Bureau
Early 19th Century Tall Swedish Black Secretary Bureau

Early 19th Century Tall Swedish Black Secretary Bureau

Located in Round Top, TX

Late 19th-century 8' tall Swedish oak bureau or secretary featuring a newer professionally applied black layered painted finish, lightly distressed to reveal natural oak beneath and ...

Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Elegant Louis XVI Mahogany Bureau / Secretaire Cph. Approx. 1780
Elegant Louis XVI Mahogany Bureau / Secretaire Cph. Approx. 1780

Elegant Louis XVI Mahogany Bureau / Secretaire Cph. Approx. 1780

Located in Kastrup, DK

Elegant Louis XVI bureau / Secretaire in 3 parts. Top with tooth cut under profiled top list. Pair of doors with fillings, sides with profiled quartz columns. Bottom part with slopi...

Category

Late 18th Century Danish Louis XVI Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Antique Mahogany Secretary Bookcase
Antique Mahogany Secretary Bookcase

Antique Mahogany Secretary Bookcase

Located in Bridgeport, CT

A quality mahogany classic secretary bookcase made in two parts. The top cornice with a carved dentil frieze over double mullion glazed doors that open to two shelves. The lower case...

Category

20th Century Georgian Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Industrial Style Iron Gunmetal Finish Secretary Cabinet 8.5 Ft.
Industrial Style Iron Gunmetal Finish Secretary Cabinet 8.5 Ft.

Industrial Style Iron Gunmetal Finish Secretary Cabinet 8.5 Ft.

Located in Rio Vista, CA

Imposing industrial style secretary bookcase cabinet with a 2 part construction. Crafted in India from iron featuring a dark gunmetal finish. The top has an arched bonnet fronted by ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Indian Industrial Secretaires

Materials

Brass, Iron

Fine Paint Decorated Baroque Style Armoire Secretary/ Desk
Fine Paint Decorated Baroque Style Armoire Secretary/ Desk

Fine Paint Decorated Baroque Style Armoire Secretary/ Desk

Located in Bridgeport, CT

A tall custom Venetian baroque shaped frame, the double doors with inset beveled antiqued mirrors open to two shelves. The slant front opens to drawers and a cubby hole. The lower ca...

Category

20th Century American Hollywood Regency Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Late 18th Century Blue Swedish Oak Secretary Bureau
Late 18th Century Blue Swedish Oak Secretary Bureau

Late 18th Century Blue Swedish Oak Secretary Bureau

Located in Round Top, TX

Late 18th Century Blue Swedish Oak Secretary Bureau Late 18th-century Swedish oak secretary bureau featuring a tall, elegant form with a graceful carved curved crown and three large ...

Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood, Oak, Paint

American Federal Period Mahogany Secretary Chest with Eagle Inlay, New England
American Federal Period Mahogany Secretary Chest with Eagle Inlay, New England

American Federal Period Mahogany Secretary Chest with Eagle Inlay, New England

Located in Norwood, NJ

A handsome American Federal period mahogany secretary chest, stylistically attributable to New England, (possibly Boston or Salem, Massachusetts), circa 1800–1820. The piece reflects...

Category

Early 19th Century American Federal Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Antique Architect's Plan Cabinet, Solid Wood, Multiple Drawers, 1950
Antique Architect's Plan Cabinet, Solid Wood, Multiple Drawers, 1950

Antique Architect's Plan Cabinet, Solid Wood, Multiple Drawers, 1950

Located in Marbella, ES

A stunning architect's plan cabinet or filing cabinet crafted from solid wood, designed for storing plans, drawings, and large-format documents. The piece features a long structure w...

Category

Mid-20th Century Secretaires

Materials

Metal

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.