Oak Neo-Rustic Sideboard by Guillerme & Chambron France 1960's
Located in HYÈRES, FR
Oak Neo-Rustic Sideboard by Guillerme & Chambron France 1960's By Votre Maison Nice details of manufacturing, leather and brass parts. In good condition
Brass
18th Century Dutch Burr Walnut Floral Marquetry Bureau
Located in London, GB
This is a wonderful antique late 18th century Dutch burr walnut and marquetry bombe' bureau. It has been accomplished in burr walnut, with exquisite hand cut floral marquetry typica...
Walnut
$2,360Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Neoclassical Renaissance Revival Flame Mahogany Drop Front Secretary
Located in Big Flats, NY
Antique Neoclassical Renaissance Revival Flame Mahogany Drop Front Secretary Desk With Carved Pulls C1850 Measures - 82 1/4" x 49 3/4" x 21 3/4" An antique Neoclassical Renaissance...
Mahogany
Custom Made Secretaire Cabinet, Chrome Plated Metal, Lacquered And Veneered Wood
By GMD Berlin
Located in Berlin, DE
Tubular steel secretaire-cabinet made of lacquered and veneered wood. Customizable, production time c. 12 weeks.
Metal, Chrome
Swedish Modern Bureau by Otto Schulz for Boet, 1940s
By Boet, Otto Schulz
Located in Karlstad, SE
Very rare bureau by Otto Schulz for Boet, circa 1940. This bureau is covered in cream white vinyl attached with pearl nails, significant for the designer. The skewed front is made o...
Wood
Mid-century Torbjorn Afdal Danish Rosewood Secretary Desk
By Torbjørn Afdal, Nesjestranda Møbelfabrik
Located in Oakland, CA
Danish secretary desk designed by Torbjørn Afdal for Nesjestranda Møbelfabrik, Norway, 1965. Crafted from Brazilian rosewood, the secretary desk ...
Rosewood
Italian Secretaire with Geometric Veneer and Carved Panels, 1950s
Located in Meda, MB
Elegant Italian secretaire produced in the 1950s, distinguished by its refined architectural form and exceptional craftsmanship. The cabinet is entirely veneered in a richly figured ...
Maple, Lacquer
$4,796Sale Price|30% Off
French Louis XVI Secretaire Abattant / Secretary desk, circa 1800
Located in Lucenec, SK
The secrétaire à abbatant or fall front desk is nearly identical to the desk 5th President James Monroe brought back from France in 1797. These desks are ...
Brass
Antique Danish Chest of Drawers in Oak, Made in Late 18th Century, Louis 16
Located in Odense, DK
Romantic antique chest of drawers, made by a Danish cabinetmaker in 1790-1810.. Louis XVI. This chest features great curves and carving skills and undoubtful high quality. Made in so...
Oak
19th Century French Empire Abattant Secretary Desk in Flame Mahogany Drop Down
Located in Atlanta, GA
This French Empire Abattant Secretary Desk from the late 19th century is a striking piece of furniture, crafted from flame mahogany. The abattant (drop...
Wood, Mahogany
$51,940Sale Price|20% Off
18th Century Italian Walnut Parquetry Important Bureau Cabinet Trumeaux
Located in Rome, IT
An Italian walnut, parquetry bureau cabinet fruitwood inlaid with scrolling foliage, The upper section with a shaped carved cresting, a shaped doors opening to reveal three shelves,...
Wood
19th Century American Federal Secretary, Seymour School, Boston
By John & Thomas Seymour
Located in Essex, MA
Important American Federal Period Secretary. School of John and Thomas Seymour, Boston, circa 1820. Mahogany and Mahogany Veneered Case on Pine Secondary Wood. Two Gothic Fenestra...
Mahogany
19th Century Original Painted Swedish Secretary Dated 1807
Located in Round Top, TX
19th century original painted Swedish secretary dated 1807, crafted in pine and retaining its original painted surface. The exterior features a dark reddish-brown background with dee...
Brass
19th Century Bombe Marquetry Secrétaire à Abattant, Marble Top and Bronze Mounts
Located in Miami, FL
19th century bombe marquetry secrétaire à abattant, marble top and bronze mounts. Offered for sale is a late 19th century Louis XV style bombe marquetry secrétaire à abattant with a...
Marble, Bronze
$1,050Sale Price|30% Off
Antique Victorian Petite Oak Mirrored Slant Top Secretary Ladies Writing Desk
Located in Dayton, OH
Late Victorian Oak Ladies Secretary Desk, Circa 1900. Features a mirrored backsplash over shelf and slant front. Desk opens to a work surface and...
Mirror, Oak
Outstanding Early 18th Century English George I Secretary
Located in Dallas, TX
Presenting a stunningly gorgeous and outstanding early 18th century English George I Secretary. This is one of the finest old English Secretary’s...
Mahogany, Satinwood, Walnut
Swedish Secretaire from 1857 with Trick Lock and Secret Compartements
Located in Greven, DE
19th Century Secretary with Trick Lock and Secret Compartments Sweden Birch, mahogany Historicism - dated 1857 Dimensions: H x W x D: 126 x 109 x 55 cm Description: Unusual piece ...
Birch
Antique English Secretary Campaign Chest With Brass Hardware
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Diminutive Antique English mahogany campaign secretary chest with four drawers, the upper of which opens to reveal a secretary with cubbies, 3 shallow drawers and gold tooled leather...
Brass
Mid-20th Century Danish Oak Drop-Front Secretary Desk
Located in Nørre Aaby, DK
An elegant Danish secretary desk from the mid-20th century, crafted in beautifully grained oak with a warm, rich patina. The classic fall-front reveals a practical writing surface, i...
Brass
Mid-Century Danish Modern Teak Secretary Desk Cabinet 1960s
By H.P. Hansen
Located in Detroit, MI
This vintage mid-century Danish modern teak secretary desk attributed to H.P. Hansen was made in Denmark in the 1960s. It exemplifies classic Scandinavian modern styling with clean g...
Brass
Large English 19thC Ebonised Mahogany Glazed Bookcase Secretaire
Located in Staffordshire, GB
Circa 1870. Large English 19thC Ebonised Mahogany Glazed Bookcase Secretaire with 4 glazed cabinet doors above a pull out mid section leather writing slide. With 2 large dovetailed d...
Mahogany
Monumental Dutch Art Deco Secretary – Symmetrical Burl Walnut, Cut-Glass Accents
Located in Dronten, NL
A masterclass in Amsterdam School craftsmanship. Impeccable proportion, rare figured veneer, and museum-quality presence. Step into the refined world of 1920s Dutch design, where ar...
Cut Glass, Ebony, Burl
$3,071Sale Price|20% Off
Børge Mogensen for Søborg Secretary Desk 1960s
Located in Handewitt, DE
Secretary desk / cabinet, designed in 1950s by Børge Mogensen for Søborg Møbelfabrik Denmark. Made in fine walnut early 1960s. Front with three drawers and a writing flap. Behind the...
Wood
$4,800Sale Price|58% Off
English Regency Style Mahogany and Satinwood Inlaid Carlton House Desk
Located in Vero Beach, FL
English Regency style mahogany and satinwood inlaid Carlton house desk. Circa 1880 rare Carlton House desk, typical for the Regency period, is a beautiful piece of furniture. It i...
Mahogany
Late 18th Century Danish Black Painted Oak Secretary Bureau
Located in Round Top, TX
Late 18th-century Danish oak bureau or secretary featuring a newer professionally applied black layered painted finish, lightly distressed to reveal natural oak beneath and suit the ...
Brass
Antique French Renaissance Revival Hunt Desk / Secretaire Barley Twist Oak 19th
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Gorgeous French antique 19th century Renaissance revival / Hunt style Writing desk in carved oak. Marvelous decorated hunt style desk with fox head drawers & barley twisted columns...
Oak
19th Century Fine Biedermeier Walnut Secretaire. Vienna, c. 1825
Located in Vienna, AT
Exceptional and Rare Viennese Biedermeier Secretaire – Vienna, circa 1825 A Masterpiece of Design, Craftsmanship, and Timeless Elegance We are proud to present this elegant and rare...
Brass
18th Century Painted Oak Secretary, Denmark
Located in Round Top, TX
This striking oak secretary is an elegant statement piece with paneled doors, crown and three large lower serpentine drawers. The entire secretary has been given a professional custo...
Brass
Mid Century Maple Drop Front Secretary Writing Desk
Located in Freehold, NJ
This antique secretary desk features hardwood construction, original maple finish, three dovetailed drawers with brass hardware, drop front writing surface with slatted storage compa...
Brass
Baroque Secretary with Black Exterior and Blue Interior, Circa 1760
Located in Atlanta, GA
An impressive period Baroque secretary dating to circa 1760. This substantial piece has been historically repainted, featuring a black exterior contrasted by a distinctive blue-paint...
Wood
Fine Antique French Louis XV Marquetry Rosewood Ormolu Secretaire Abattant 1880
Located in Portland, OR
A very fine quality antique French Louis XV rosewood, marquetry, ormolu and marble topped secretaire abattant, circa 1880. The serpentine shaped secretary is modeled as a semainier (...
Marble, Ormolu
$2,796Sale Price|20% Off
Fantastic American Centennial Solid Walnut Philadelphia Carved Secretary Desk
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Discover timeless elegance with this fantastic American Centennial solid walnut Philadelphia carved secretary desk, a true testament to 19th-cent...
Walnut
Louis XVI Danish Secretary by Caspar Frederik Harsdorff
By Caspar Frederik Harsdorff
Located in Kastrup, DK
Caspar Frederik Harsdorff (1735–1799) Denmark, Copenhagen, circa 1780 An outstanding secretary and a masterwork of Danish furniture from the late 18th century, designed by Caspar Fr...
Brass
A fine late 18th c to early 19th c William and Mary black Chinoiserie secretary
Located in Dallas, TX
A very fine late 18th century William and Mary black lacquered secretary. Fine Chinoiserie hand decorated scenes. Fine quality . Excellent condition
Wood
18th Century Hand Painted Venetian Style Electric Blue Pesaro Secretary
By Porte Italia
Located in Ronchi dei Legionari, IT
From our Capsule Collection, we are pleased to introduce you to our brand new Electric Blue Pesaro Secretary with palms decor in gold-leaf. In collaboration with Damonte & Lacar...
Wood
Empire Secretary in Mahogany Veneer, France, Circa 1810
Located in Greding, DE
Secretary in mahogany veneer with two-door bottom part as well as dark marble shelf and fire-gilded fittings. Behind the writing flap with brown leather there are more drawers and co...
Mahogany
Mid-Century Italian Venetian Hand Painted Chinoiserie Secretary Desk
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a beautiful piece. This is a lovely mid-century Italian chinoiserie secretary desk. The coral and gilt interior makes such a vibrant statement. Each panel of the serpentine f...
Poplar
Red Queen Anne Style Burton-Ching Chinoiserie Secretary Desk Bookcase
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Red Queen Anne Style Burton-Ching Chinoiserie Secretary Desk Bookcase.
Wood, Lacquer
$4,863Sale Price|43% Off
19th Century Dutch Bleached Oak Secretaire
Located in Darmstadt, DE
The secretary made of Dutch oak from the 19th century rich in decorations consists of an upper and lower part. The upper part is hinged to the front. The flap sits on two pullouts th...
Brass
Unique French Style Ebonized Secretary
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Refined French abattant in the Empire style, featuring a striking black finish with elegant gold accents. The piece showcases a structured silhouette a...
Wood
Early 19th Century White Danish Oak Secretary Bureau
Located in Round Top, TX
Early 19th-century Danish oak secretary bureau with a newer professionally applied antique white painted exterior finish and a contrasting muted gray interior. The serpentine front e...
Brass
Fine Red Chinoiserie Gold Leaf Italian-Made Rococo Venetian Secretary Desk
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This fine red Chinoiserie gold leaf Italian-made Rococo Venetian secretary desk is an extraordinary piece that blends European craftsmanship with...
Walnut
Early 19th Century Swedish Painted Secretary Cupboard in Grey with Patina
Located in Atlanta, GA
An exceptional early 19th-century Swedish secretary cupboard, circa 1810–1830, finished in soft grey with a beautifully aged patina. Crafted from oak and pine, the two-part construct...
Pine
Period Gustavian Slant-Front Desk with Black Exterior and Blue Interior
Located in Atlanta, GA
A beautifully proportioned Swedish Gustavian period slant front desk, retaining a wonderfully aged black-painted exterior and opening to reveal a striking powder blue interior. The c...
Pine
$10,227Sale 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. The interior is m...
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Secretary Desk by Svenska Möbler, Circa 1950
By SMF Svenska Möbelfabriken Bodafors
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A vintage Mid-Century Modern Swedish secretary desk signed by the A.B. Svenska Moebel Fabrikerna (SMF), one of the largest furniture manufacture...
Birch, Jacaranda
1960s Danish Modern Tall Wardrobe / Entry Piece / Hall Stand in Rosewood
Located in Berkeley, CA
Origin: Denmark Designer: Unknown Manufacturer: Unknown Era: 1960s Dimensions: 35.5? wide x 12.5? deep x 71? tall Condition: In excellent original condition with some light vi...
Rosewood
Antique French Charles X Secretary/Secrétaire à Abattant in Mahogany, c. 1825
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
A Charles X secrétaire à abattant in mahogany, France, circa 1825. Fall-front has original counter weight for ease in lowering and closing. Dark green tooled leather on desk top appe...
Leather, Mahogany
Austrian Baroque Secretary Cabinet in Walnut with Marquetry, ca. 1700–1730
Located in Kastrup, DK
A highly impressive and architecturally refined Austrian Baroque secretary cabinet from the first half of the 18th century. Crafted to an exceptional standard, veneered with thick, h...
Brass, Iron
Kittinger Historic Newport Mahogany Chippendale Style Secretary Desk
By Kittinger Furniture Company
Located in Long Branch, NJ
Kittinger Historic Newport Mahogany Chippendale Style Secretary Desk Dimensions : 45" Wide X 25.5" Deep X 82.5" Tall This stunning secretary desk was made by Kittinger for their Hi...
Mahogany
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
19th Century Handcrafted Pine Swedish Writing Bureau with Dragged Paint
Located in Mckinney, TX
Classic Swedish provincial form with a beautifully timeworn presence. This slant-top bureau retains its dry-scraped white paint across the front, revealing soft undertones of earlier...
Pine, Paint
19th-Century Swedish Bureau With Carved Columns And Blue-Painted Interior
Located in Atlanta, GA
This refined 19th-century Swedish bureau is distinguished by its architectural presence, elegant carvings, and beautifully preserved blue-painted interior. The exterior presents a so...
Wood
19th Century Inlaid Napoleon III Secretary Desk
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Napoleon Desk/Secretary with gilt bronze molding and inlaid details.. It has a beautiful pink marble top. Its sides are in blackened pear and its facade in cedar. It has rosewood fr...
Marble
Biedermeier Butler's Desk, Karelian Birch, Sweden, Early 19th Century
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful Biedermeier butler's desk crafted for 19th Century city living. The birch case piece is meant to provide storage and utility in the home's entry room, with lockable drawe...
Wood
Chest of Drawers / Secretary in Dutch Style Marquetry Holland Design
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Chest of drawers in Dutch style from the beginning of the century. Entirely inlaid with floral decoration, with brass handles and a lion paw shaped base. The upper part consists of...
Wood
Swedish Gustavian Secretary, circa 1790
Located in Huntington, NY
A two part Swedish Gustavian secretary. The bonnet top consists of an impressive overhanging arched pediment cornice. Upper section has three shelves and two small drawers. Lower sec...
Brass, Iron
"804" Rolltop Desk by Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini, 1960s
By Bernini, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in bruxelles, BE
Model 804 desk by Gianfranco Fattini. The roll top opens by pulling on the leather-encrusted writing surface. There are two glass shelves at the back. On top, there's a glass shelf...
Aluminum
French Louis XVI Style Mahogany Secrétaire à Abattant, Circa 1890-1900
Located in Winter Park, FL
A late 19th century French Louis XVI style secrétaire à abattant, or drop front secretary desk, crafted with intricate inlaid veneers of mahogany and various exotic woods. Four dovet...
Marble, Bronze
19th Century Scandinavian Birch Empire Bureau Secretary with Bookcase, c. 1820
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
A very fine Scandinavian Empire/Biedermeier secretary in beautiful birch wood with mahogany interior, Denmark, circa 1820. The highly sculptural form makes this piece an outstanding ...
Birch
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.