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Secretaires For Sale
Antique Painted Gustavian Grey/White Secretary with Fall-Front & Birch Interior
Antique Painted Gustavian Grey/White Secretary with Fall-Front & Birch Interior

Antique Painted Gustavian Grey/White Secretary with Fall-Front & Birch Interior

Located in INTERLAKEN, NY

A very lovely Louis Philippe fall-front secretary in pine with a light Gustavian-grey/white painted finish, and original French-polished birch wood interior. Features a carved bonnet...

Category

Mid-19th Century German Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Louis XVI Rolltop Desk, France 1780, Mahogany
Louis XVI Rolltop Desk, France 1780, Mahogany

Louis XVI Rolltop Desk, France 1780, Mahogany

Located in Belmont, MA

Louis XVI Rolltop or cylinder desk, France, 1780. This original Louis XVI cylinder desk has an elegant mahogany veneer with satinwood inlays. I...

Category

1780s French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany, Satinwood

Swedish Art Deco Secretary by Axel Larsson, Birchwood, Circa 1920-1930
Swedish Art Deco Secretary by Axel Larsson, Birchwood, Circa 1920-1930

Swedish Art Deco Secretary by Axel Larsson, Birchwood, Circa 1920-1930

By Axel Larsson

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

A vintage Swedish Art Deco secretary made of hand crafted polished, partly veneered Birchwood, designed most likely by Axel Larsson in good condition. The Scandinavian cupboard, cabi...

Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Art Deco Secretaires

Materials

Metal, Brass

Writing cupboard from around 1800 hundered in pine, Sweden
Writing cupboard from around 1800 hundered in pine, Sweden

Writing cupboard from around 1800 hundered in pine, Sweden

Located in Atlanta, GA

A distinguished Swedish writing cupboard crafted in solid pine, dating to approximately 1800. The two-part form combines practical storage with a dedicated writing surface, reflectin...

Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Secretaires

Materials

Pine

Early 19th Century Danish Black Painted Secretary Bureau
Early 19th Century Danish Black Painted Secretary Bureau

Early 19th Century Danish Black Painted Secretary Bureau

Located in Round Top, TX

Late 18th-century Danish bureau or secretary featuring a newer professionally applied black layered painted finish, lightly distressed to reveal natural oak beneath and suit the age ...

Category

Early 19th Century Danish Rococo Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Biedermeier Secretary, Bookcase, Cherry, Walnut, 1840s
Biedermeier Secretary, Bookcase, Cherry, Walnut, 1840s

Biedermeier Secretary, Bookcase, Cherry, Walnut, 1840s

Located in Greven, DE

Antique cabinet secretary from the biedermeier period around 1845. Body in cherry, parts of the front and the wreath veneered in walnut. Handles and fittings made of brass in the sh...

Category

Mid-19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Cherry, Walnut

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

Late 18th Century Swedish Oak Secretary Bureau

Located in Round Top, TX

This elegant Swedish oak secretary shows off with a distinctive carved top bonnet or crown and round finials. Also known as a bureau, this secretary would have been a "signature stat...

Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Country Antique Secretaires

Materials

Oak, Paint

Bureau / Secretary In Burl Walnut
Bureau / Secretary In Burl Walnut

Bureau / Secretary In Burl Walnut

Located in Kastrup, DK

Early 18th century burl walnut veneered bureau cabinet. The upper section with swan neck top over double doors, the lower section with a sloping-front opening to reveal a cupboard an...

Category

18th Century Danish Baroque Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Vintage Edwardian Walnut Writing Desk, Sofa Table, Hall Table
Vintage Edwardian Walnut Writing Desk, Sofa Table, Hall Table

Vintage Edwardian Walnut Writing Desk, Sofa Table, Hall Table

Located in Germantown, MD

Versatile Edwardian style writing that can be used as console table, Sofa table or as a hall table. Simple yet elegant carving on edges. Pull out tray to make create more writing are...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Edwardian Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

Fine Italian 18th Century Ormolu-Mounted Parquetry Secretaire a Abattant
Fine Italian 18th Century Ormolu-Mounted Parquetry Secretaire a Abattant

Fine Italian 18th Century Ormolu-Mounted Parquetry Secretaire a Abattant

Located in Rome, IT

Very fine Italian 18' century ormolu-mounted Parquetry Secretaire a Abattant with a dark Grey marble top. Measures: cm. 170 x 105 x 46.

Category

18th Century Italian Louis XVI Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood

19th Century Swedish Painted Pine Secretary
19th Century Swedish Painted Pine Secretary

19th Century Swedish Painted Pine Secretary

Located in Round Top, TX

It is the aged and scraped patina of the original brown painted finish that draws one to this pine secretary with graceful Swedish country charm. Desktop rests on two extended arms. ...

Category

Mid-19th Century Country Antique Secretaires

Materials

Pine, Paint

Baroque Secretary with Upper Cabinet in Walnut, 18th/19th Century
Baroque Secretary with Upper Cabinet in Walnut, 18th/19th Century

Baroque Secretary with Upper Cabinet in Walnut, 18th/19th Century

Located in Greding, DE

Baroque fall-front secretary veneered in walnut, featuring a commode base with three drawers and a slightly convex front. The upper cabinet has two doors and a shaped cornice, fitted...

Category

18th Century German Baroque Antique Secretaires

Materials

Bronze

French Empire Secrétaire à Abattant, Walnut & Marble, Circa 1810
French Empire Secrétaire à Abattant, Walnut & Marble, Circa 1810

French Empire Secrétaire à Abattant, Walnut & Marble, Circa 1810

Located in Baton Rouge, LA

A handsome 19th century French Empire secrétaire à abattant made of richly figured, bookmatched walnut. This desk has a black fossil marble top resting above a hidden drawer, free of hardware and opening by a shallow groove on the bottom of the drawer front. Below is a fold-front door revealing a fitted interior with a functional writing surface, inset with worn green leather with gold tooling. The interior has an open storage shelf flanked by Empire style columns over a set of six drawers of varying sizes. The writing surface is supported with rounded brass hinges. Below are three easy to use drawers...

Category

19th Century French Empire Antique Secretaires

Materials

Marble, Brass

George IIII Bureau Desk or Secretary Chest of Mahogany from the 18th Century
George IIII Bureau Desk or Secretary Chest of Mahogany from the 18th Century

George IIII Bureau Desk or Secretary Chest of Mahogany from the 18th Century

Located in Austin, TX

A fine George III slant top desk or bureau secretary chest of patinated mahogany, c.1770, in the Sheraton style. An inlaid slant front drops to reveal a series of small drawers and ...

Category

18th Century English George III Antique Secretaires

Materials

Metal, Brass

Antique German Biedermeier Mahogany Cabinet, Circa 1830-1840
Antique German Biedermeier Mahogany Cabinet, Circa 1830-1840

Antique German Biedermeier Mahogany Cabinet, Circa 1830-1840

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

An early 19th Century, antique German Biedermeier two-part cabinet with a writing flap made of hand crafted shellac polished, partly veneered Mahogany, in good condition. The bottom part of the secretary is composed with two large drawers, standing on four wide wooden legs. The inside consists five drawers and two compartments, particularized by polished brass hardware, columns. The top part of the buffet is composed with one large drawer and two small drawers, the center is consisting a storage compartment with an arched...

Category

Mid-19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Metal, Brass

Late 19th Century Spanish Walnut Bureau Bookcase ‘Secretaire’
Late 19th Century Spanish Walnut Bureau Bookcase ‘Secretaire’

Late 19th Century Spanish Walnut Bureau Bookcase ‘Secretaire’

Located in Miami, FL

A late 19th century Spanish Walnut Bureau bookcase ‘secretaire’ with fretwork open swan neck pediment, centred by a shaped finial, above a pair of doors, slant front enclosed writing...

Category

Late 19th Century Spanish Baroque Antique Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

Late 18th Century German Louis XVI Secretary, Walnut, Marquetry, Cylinder Desk
Late 18th Century German Louis XVI Secretary, Walnut, Marquetry, Cylinder Desk

Late 18th Century German Louis XVI Secretary, Walnut, Marquetry, Cylinder Desk

Located in Greven, DE

Louis XVI cylinder desk with marquetry Germany (Westphalia) Walnut etc. Classicism around 1795 Dimensions: H x W x D: 118 x 116 x 62 cm Description: Beautiful writing fur...

Category

Late 18th Century German Louis XVI Antique Secretaires

Materials

Maple, Oak, Walnut

18th Century Spanish Colonial Vargueno Set on a 19th Century Mission Chest
18th Century Spanish Colonial Vargueno Set on a 19th Century Mission Chest

18th Century Spanish Colonial Vargueno Set on a 19th Century Mission Chest

Located in Hudson, NY

This interesting two-part piece of furniture is an example of the Spanish dominion over the Americas during the global colonization associated with Empire and trade supremacy. The to...

Category

Mid-18th Century Mexican Baroque Antique Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

20th Century Painted Wood Venetian Bureau Desk, 1960
20th Century Painted Wood Venetian Bureau Desk, 1960

20th Century Painted Wood Venetian Bureau Desk, 1960

Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont

Venetian bureau from the second half of the 20th century. Beautifully designed furniture, pleasantly lacquered and hand painted with floral decorations. High leg bureau equipped with...

Category

1960s Italian Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Italian Midcentury Secretary - Cabinet
Italian Midcentury Secretary - Cabinet

Italian Midcentury Secretary - Cabinet

Located in Los Angeles, CA

High lacquered secretary - cabinet

Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Early 19th Century Danish Blue Painted Pine Secretary Bureau
Early 19th Century Danish Blue Painted Pine Secretary Bureau

Early 19th Century Danish Blue Painted Pine Secretary Bureau

Located in Round Top, TX

Early 19th-century Danish pine secretary with newer professionally applied layered blue painted exterior and contrasting steel-gray painted interior. Light distressing reveals natura...

Category

Early 19th Century Danish Baroque Antique Secretaires

Materials

Pine

French Transition Period secretary c. 1760 Jean-Francois Dubut
French Transition Period secretary c. 1760 Jean-Francois Dubut

French Transition Period secretary c. 1760 Jean-Francois Dubut

Located in Münster, DE

Secretary à battant - Jean-Francois Dubut Elaborately crafted bureau à battant, Paris circa 1760, Transition, Jean-Francois Dubut rosewood, amaranth, violet and ebony veneered on o...

Category

1760s French Empire Antique Secretaires

Materials

Marble

19th Century Louis XVI Walnut Secrétaire à Abattant with Marble Top
19th Century Louis XVI Walnut Secrétaire à Abattant with Marble Top

19th Century Louis XVI Walnut Secrétaire à Abattant with Marble Top

Located in Baton Rouge, LA

This wonderful walnut secre´taire a` abattant was constructed in the style of Louis XVI during the 19th century. Topped with a great piece of black and white marble. A single, slim d...

Category

19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires

Materials

Marble, Stone, Metal, Brass

Arne Vodder Danish Teak Vanity Secretary Desk
Arne Vodder Danish Teak Vanity Secretary Desk

Arne Vodder Danish Teak Vanity Secretary Desk

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Arne Vodder Danish Teak Vanity Secretary Desk Beautifully designed teak vanity secretary desk by Arne Vodder, a celebrated figure in Danish modern design. This multi-functional piec...

Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires

Materials

Teak

Slant Front Secretary Bookcase In French Country Style
Slant Front Secretary Bookcase In French Country Style

Slant Front Secretary Bookcase In French Country Style

Located in Bridgeport, CT

Very well made and finished slant front secretary on four carved saber form legs with carved, scalloped apron. The case is fitted with a pair of long drawers, with gilt foliate form ...

Category

20th Century French Provincial Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Biedermeier Secretary Desk, South German, 1820
Biedermeier Secretary Desk, South German, 1820

Biedermeier Secretary Desk, South German, 1820

Located in Belmont, MA

Biedermeier secretary desk, South German 1820. This unique and very beautiful secretary desk dates back to the early phase of the Biedermeie...

Category

1820s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Elm, Walnut

Queen Anne Style Secretary Bookcase
Queen Anne Style Secretary Bookcase

Queen Anne Style Secretary Bookcase

By Jonathan Charles

Located in Westwood, NJ

The secretary is a commanding example of early 18th-century English design, inspired by an original from around 1710. Finished in light rustic pollard burl oak, the figured veneers l...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Queen Anne Secretaires

Materials

Wood

19th Century Antique Russian Bureau Secretaire in Baroque Pinewood
19th Century Antique Russian Bureau Secretaire in Baroque Pinewood

19th Century Antique Russian Bureau Secretaire in Baroque Pinewood

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

A 19th Century, antique Russian two part bureau made of hand crafted painted pinewood designed and produced by an unknown carpenter from St. Petersburg, in good condition. The vintage secretaire...

Category

19th Century Russian Baroque Antique Secretaires

Materials

Metal, Bronze

Fine 19th Century English Chinoiserie and Red Lacquered Slant Front Secretary
Fine 19th Century English Chinoiserie and Red Lacquered Slant Front Secretary

Fine 19th Century English Chinoiserie and Red Lacquered Slant Front Secretary

Located in Dallas, TX

A very fine and elaborated 19th century Chinoiserie red lacquered slant front secretary. Hand painted and raised decoration. The interior with pigeon holes and drawers and a writing ...

Category

Mid-19th Century English Chinoiserie Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Gianfranco Frattini 804 writing desk for Bernini, 1962
Gianfranco Frattini 804 writing desk for Bernini, 1962

Gianfranco Frattini 804 writing desk for Bernini, 1962

By Gianfranco Frattini

Located in Misinto, IT

The Secrétaire 804 is one of the most representative designs of Gianfranco Frattini's creativity and the manufacturing excellence of Bernini, a historic Italian haute cabinet-making ...

Category

Late 20th Century Italian Secretaires

Materials

Crystal, Aluminum

Antique Austrian Flame Mahogany Biedermeier Secretary Desk Cabinet Chest 1860
Antique Austrian Flame Mahogany Biedermeier Secretary Desk Cabinet Chest 1860

Antique Austrian Flame Mahogany Biedermeier Secretary Desk Cabinet Chest 1860

Located in Portland, OR

A fine antique Austrian Biedermeier flame mahogany secretary chest, circa 1860. The cabinet having a stepped cornice with circular turned finial brackets at each corner, the top of the cabinet is fitted with a single locking drawer with an oval brass lockplate (key is present). Below is a locking fall front panel (key present) with a wavy edge in relief, the fall when open reveals a fitted interior with a recessed storage area flanked with a pair of ribbed columns and having a central locking door enclosing a single drawer and six drawers to each side with ivory pulls. The fall front has a green baize writing surface, below are a pair of cupboard doors with corresponding wavy recessed panels, to the interior is a single shelf and plenty of useful storage. The cabinet is raised on a plinth base with turned feet and corresponding circular turned finial brackets. Condition is excellent, the cabinet is made from the finest flame mahogany, this very elegant antique biedermeier secretary cabinet...

Category

1860s Austrian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

Mid 19th Century Swedish Blue Painted Pine Secretary
Mid 19th Century Swedish Blue Painted Pine Secretary

Mid 19th Century Swedish Blue Painted Pine Secretary

Located in Round Top, TX

Mid 19th-century Swedish pine secretary with newer professionally applied layered blue exterior painted finish. Upper glass panes allow for beautiful display of any collection held w...

Category

19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Pine

Antique Victorian Mahogany Spinet Piano Style Flip Top Secretary Writing Desk
Antique Victorian Mahogany Spinet Piano Style Flip Top Secretary Writing Desk

Antique Victorian Mahogany Spinet Piano Style Flip Top Secretary Writing Desk

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Antique Victorian Mahogany Spinet Piano Style Flip Top Secretary Writing Desk. Item features 3 drawers, pull out writing surface, flip top, very nice vintage desk. Circa Early 20th ...

Category

Early 20th Century Victorian Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

Stunning Poul Hundevad Rosewood Secretary Cabinet , Denmark
Stunning Poul Hundevad Rosewood Secretary Cabinet , Denmark

Stunning Poul Hundevad Rosewood Secretary Cabinet , Denmark

By Poul Hundevad

Located in Buffalo, NY

Danish modern, two piece, book matched rosewood, bookcase secretary cabinet by Poul Hundevad ... Birch wood interior,,, features a 26 inch height bottom cabinet with sliding doors, a...

Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Birch, Rosewood

18th Century Black Scandinavian Bureau
18th Century Black Scandinavian Bureau

18th Century Black Scandinavian Bureau

Located in Atlanta, GA

A beautiful 18th century Scandinavian bureau featuring a dramatic black painted finish and refined architectural proportions. The piece displays elegant craftsmanship with understate...

Category

18th Century Scandinavian Neoclassical Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Early 19th Century American Country Secretary Desk
Early 19th Century American Country Secretary Desk

Early 19th Century American Country Secretary Desk

Located in Forney, TX

A rare antique, circa 1810, classic American country mahogany bookcase secretary desk from the east coast region of Pennsylvania / Virginia. Born in the early 19th century, hand-crafted of solid mahogany, having wonderfully aged warm, rich patina over the whole. Presents splendidly, with fine high quality handmade detail work throughout, including pegged joinery, dovetail bracket feet, and original keys included. Two-piece, the upright top section having shaped moulded cornice above a pair of paneled cabinet doors that open to shelves on each side. A slanted middle with hinged door that folds down into a writing desk work table supported by pull out beams that are concealed within the piece when not in use. Behind the drop-front door are thirteen various sized drawers with original patinated brass knob pulls. The lower half of the secretary is essentially a chest of drawers, fitted with three large long graduated drawers that offer generous storage space. Decorated with a shaped skirt, rising on hand-cut dovetailed bracket feet. Dimensions: (approx) 74" high, 40" wide, 18" deep (widest and deepest parts) Condition: Great original antique condition with beautiful patina, rich antique mahogany color...

Category

Early 19th Century American Country Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

Danish Rococo Secretaire, Circa 1760
Danish Rococo Secretaire, Circa 1760

Danish Rococo Secretaire, Circa 1760

Located in Atlanta, GA

A refined 18th century Danish rococo secretaire featuring beautifully shaped proportions and elegant architectural detailing characteristic of Scandinavian rococo furniture. Repainte...

Category

1760s Danish Rococo Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Tall 18th Century Swedish Rococo Secretary
Tall 18th Century Swedish Rococo Secretary

Tall 18th Century Swedish Rococo Secretary

Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire

Tall 18th Century Swedish Rococo secretary of elegant proportions. With decorative carved pediment and two original glass glazed doors, opening to useful storage. Below, a fall fron...

Category

18th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood

18th C. Louis XV Bureau Scriban Bibliothèque Secretary Cabinet Mahogany Antique
18th C. Louis XV Bureau Scriban Bibliothèque Secretary Cabinet Mahogany Antique

18th C. Louis XV Bureau Scriban Bibliothèque Secretary Cabinet Mahogany Antique

Located in West Hollywood, CA

18th C. Louis XV Bureau Scriban Bibliothèque Secretary Cabinet Mahogany Antique . A very important rare and Tall Scribing bibliotic secretaire Library desk of a Gentleman or a Lady. ...

Category

18th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires

Materials

Metal, Wrought Iron, Metallic Thread

Swedish Rocco Style Secratery Hutch
Swedish Rocco Style Secratery Hutch

Swedish Rocco Style Secratery Hutch

Located in Hollywood, FL

This is a Swedish Rocco Style Secratery Hutch . its been restored and repainted with Milk Paints "Oyster White"

Category

1970s Swedish Rococo Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Pine

Antique French Louis Philippe Burr Walnut Secrétaire à Abattant Desk Chest 1840
Antique French Louis Philippe Burr Walnut Secrétaire à Abattant Desk Chest 1840

Antique French Louis Philippe Burr Walnut Secrétaire à Abattant Desk Chest 1840

Located in Portland, OR

A fine, elegant, antique 19th century French Louis Philippe walnut Secrétaire à Abattant, desk/chest, circa 1840. This fine antique French drop-front walnut secretary chest dates from the late Restoration period and is made of highly figured book-matched walnut. The top with variegated black and white marble and below is a single ogee shaped drawer with an inset brass lock escutcheon, the original key is present and the all the locks work with ease. Below is a locking fall front writing surface enclosing an exquisitely fitted interior: below a minaret shaped arch are several geometrically inlaid drawers. The fall front has the original inlaid dark chocolate colored leather writing surface, with blind tooling and gilded highlights, the drop front is robust & sturdy and is great to work to with your laptop or just to write a letter on. The base has a bank of three drawers providing plenty of useful storage, all of the drawers run smooth and with ease, the secretary chest is raised on ogee shaped block feet. Condition is excellent, all of the original brass hardware is present, the secretary is in excellent condition, no damage or restoration and it has the original warm, mellow honey colored finish. This very elegant antique French secretary...

Category

1840s French Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires

Materials

Marble

Mid-19th Century Danish Biedermeier Secretary Bureau
Mid-19th Century Danish Biedermeier Secretary Bureau

Mid-19th Century Danish Biedermeier Secretary Bureau

Located in Round Top, TX

Mid-19th-century Danish Biedermeier secretary or "bureau" crafted in birch with a beautifully figured veneer. The upper cabinet features concave and convex doors, while the roll-top ...

Category

Mid-19th Century Danish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Leather, Birch

Venitian style Secretary desk with drop front
Venitian style Secretary desk with drop front

Venitian style Secretary desk with drop front

Located in Miami, FL

Hand painted Venitian style Secretary desk with a drop front Made by Patina, Italy. Sold with his chair.

Category

1990s Secretaires

Materials

Wood

20th Century Wood English Trumeau Double Body Cabinet Bookcase, 1950s
20th Century Wood English Trumeau Double Body Cabinet Bookcase, 1950s

20th Century Wood English Trumeau Double Body Cabinet Bookcase, 1950s

Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont

English double-body cabinet from the mid-20th century. Georgian-style furniture carved and veneered in walnut, mahogany, burl, oak, and fruitwood. The lower body features three spaci...

Category

1950s British Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Danish Mid-Century Teak Secretary Desk / Writing Cabinet by Dyrlund, 1960s
Danish Mid-Century Teak Secretary Desk / Writing Cabinet by Dyrlund, 1960s

Danish Mid-Century Teak Secretary Desk / Writing Cabinet by Dyrlund, 1960s

By Dyrlund

Located in München, Bavaria

Dimensions: 90 × 46 × 110 cm (35.4" × 18.1" × 43.3") Width × Depth × Height Elegant Danish secretary desk by Dyrlund, a refined example of Scandinavian mid-century craftsmanship com...

Category

1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Teak

Donald Deskey Style Art Deco Skyscraper Design Secretary Wall Cabinet or Desk
Donald Deskey Style Art Deco Skyscraper Design Secretary Wall Cabinet or Desk

Donald Deskey Style Art Deco Skyscraper Design Secretary Wall Cabinet or Desk

By Donald Deskey

Located in Westport, CT

In the style of Donald Deskey, Art Deco skyscraper design, cabinet/secretary desk, with draw compartments and desk, book shelf compartment. Functional dark mahogany wood, with nickel...

Category

Early 20th Century American Art Deco Secretaires

Materials

Nickel

French 19th C. Second Empire Secrétaire À Abattant with Gold Ormolu Mounts
French 19th C. Second Empire Secrétaire À Abattant with Gold Ormolu Mounts

French 19th C. Second Empire Secrétaire À Abattant with Gold Ormolu Mounts

Located in Savannah, GA

This extraordinary French Second Empire period secre´taire a' abattan features flame mahogany, gilt brass-mounts and retains its original dark grey speckled granite top. Decorated th...

Category

1850s French Napoleon III Antique Secretaires

Materials

Granite, Brass, Ormolu

Signed Maison Forest Marquetry Inlaid Bronze Mounted Secretary Desk with Cubbies
Signed Maison Forest Marquetry Inlaid Bronze Mounted Secretary Desk with Cubbies

Signed Maison Forest Marquetry Inlaid Bronze Mounted Secretary Desk with Cubbies

By Maison Forest

Located in Swedesboro, NJ

This rare and exceptional cabinet by Maison Forest is the sort of furniture that gives off an air of quiet authority, like it knows the room will eventually organize itself around it...

Category

1890s French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Spanish Colonial Walnut Secretary Chest with Fall Front Desk
19th Century Spanish Colonial Walnut Secretary Chest with Fall Front Desk

19th Century Spanish Colonial Walnut Secretary Chest with Fall Front Desk

Located in BÉTERA, ES

Antique Spanish walnut secretaire chest dating to the late-19th century, combining practical storage with a concealed writing surface. The upper fall-front section opens to reveal a...

Category

Late 19th Century Spanish Spanish Colonial Antique Secretaires

Materials

Hardwood, Walnut

19th Century English George III Style Chinoiserie Lacquered Secretary
19th Century English George III Style Chinoiserie Lacquered Secretary

19th Century English George III Style Chinoiserie Lacquered Secretary

Located in Essex, MA

George III-Style Red-Lacquered Chinoiserie Secretary Bookcase 19th century, the upper case with a broken-arch pediment over a pair of arched doors, the base with a slant lid opening ...

Category

19th Century English Chinoiserie Antique Secretaires

Materials

Oak, Lacquer

Empire Secrétaire with Caryatids, Early 19th Century
Empire Secrétaire with Caryatids, Early 19th Century

Empire Secrétaire with Caryatids, Early 19th Century

Located in Greding, DE

Empire secretary featuring four drawers and a flat fall-front writing surface. The piece stands on ebonized and gold-patinated paw feet and is flanked by pilasters carved with wooden...

Category

Early 19th Century German Empire Antique Secretaires

Materials

Bronze

Early 18th Century Rosewood Fall Front Bureau
Early 18th Century Rosewood Fall Front Bureau

Early 18th Century Rosewood Fall Front Bureau

Located in High Point, NC

Stunning and rare late 18th century rosewood fall front bureau desk from Italy. We have never had the pleasure to offer a finer piece of European history! The desk is made from...

Category

Late 17th Century Italian Baroque Antique Secretaires

Materials

Rosewood

Swedish secrétaire with rare, well-preserved original paint, dated 1841.
Swedish secrétaire with rare, well-preserved original paint, dated 1841.

Swedish secrétaire with rare, well-preserved original paint, dated 1841.

Located in Kastrup, DK

Swedish secrétaire made of pine and dated 1841. The piece appears with a rare, well-preserved original paint finish in a warm coral tone, richly complemented by fine polychrome deco...

Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Pine

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.