Black Chinoiserie Secretary
20th Century Chinoiserie Secretaires
Wood
Antique 19th Century English Chinoiserie Secretaires
Wood
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Secretaires
Leather, Glass, Lacquer
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Desks
Brass
Vintage 1950s Unknown Chinoiserie Secretaires
Walnut
Antique 19th Century English Chinoiserie Secretaires
Glass, Wood
20th Century Chinoiserie Secretaires
Wood
1990s Chinoiserie Desks
Wood
Antique Late 18th Century English Georgian Secretaires
Wood
Antique 19th Century English Chinoiserie Desks
Mahogany
20th Century American George II Bookcases
Wood
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Antique Late 19th Century Dutch Secretaires
Satinwood
Antique Early 1900s British Queen Anne Desks
Bronze
Antique Early 19th Century English Queen Anne Secretaires
Wood
Antique 18th Century French Louis XV Secretaires
Bronze
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
Brass, Gold Leaf
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2010s American Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Brass, Bronze, Enamel, Nickel
21st Century and Contemporary Swedish Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Textile
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Organic Modern Center Tables
Travertine
Late 20th Century Italian Chinese Chippendale Wall Mirrors
Mirror, Wood
Antique Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaires
Birch
Antique Early 19th Century Italian Baroque Secretaires
Wood
Antique 1890s French Art Nouveau Daybeds
Iron
Antique Early 19th Century English Chinoiserie Commodes and Chests of Dr...
Wood
Antique 1760s English George III Dining Room Chairs
Elm, Walnut
Vintage 1970s American Georgian Desks
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary English Chinoiserie Pier Mirrors and Conso...
Paint, Wood, Gesso
Antique 1760s American Chinese Chippendale Cabinets
Brass
2010s American Chinoiserie Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century English Chinese Chippendale Vitrines
Glass, Mahogany
2010s French Other Canapes
Fabric
2010s German Chinoiserie Wallpaper
Paper
Recent Sales
Antique 18th Century Italian Secretaires
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Secretaires
20th Century Chinoiserie Secretaires
Lacquer
Antique Late 18th Century English Chinoiserie Secretaires
Oak, Pine
20th Century English Chinoiserie Secretaires
Wood
Vintage 1970s Chinese Chinoiserie Secretaires
Wood, Lacquer
Antique 19th Century English Chinoiserie Secretaires
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Sideboards
Glass, Wood, Lacquer
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Secretaires
Brass
20th Century Queen Anne Secretaires
Lacquer
20th Century Georgian Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
Early 20th Century English Queen Anne Secretaires
Mirror, Wood
Antique Late 19th Century English Chinoiserie Desks
Wood
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Cupboards
Glass, Hardwood, Lacquer, Paint
Antique Late 18th Century English George III Secretaires
Wood
20th Century English Georgian Cabinets
Gold, Brass
Antique Early 19th Century English Chinoiserie Secretaires
Mid-20th Century French Secretaires
Leather, Faux Bamboo, Wood
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Mahogany
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desks
Brass
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Secretaires
Marble, Brass
Antique Mid-19th Century English Queen Anne Cabinets
Brass
20th Century American Chinoiserie Secretaires
Brass
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Secretaires
Wood
Vintage 1950s American Chinoiserie Secretaires
20th Century Chinoiserie Cabinets
Metal
Late 20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Secretaires
Wood
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Bookcases
Antique Mid-18th Century English George III Secretaires
Oak
Vintage 1970s American Chinoiserie Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
Vintage 1930s English Secretaires
Vintage 1930s English Chinoiserie Secretaires
Gold, Brass
Antique Early 19th Century Italian Secretaires
Wood
Vintage 1920s Chinese Chinoiserie Secretaires
Wood
Vintage 1950s American Chinoiserie Secretaires
Lacquer, Wood
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Desks
Metal
Mid-20th Century Queen Anne Secretaires
Wood
Early 20th Century English Chinoiserie Secretaires
Wood
Mid-20th Century American Chippendale Secretaires
Brass
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Secretaires
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Cabinets
Brass
Vintage 1970s Chinoiserie Cabinets
Vintage 1970s American Chinoiserie Bookcases
Glass, Wood
Antique 18th Century Swedish Rococo Secretaires
Paint
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Secretaires
Lacquer
21st Century and Contemporary European George I Secretaires
Wood
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Desks
Brass
20th Century English Georgian Secretaires
Iron
1990s American Queen Anne Secretaires
Giltwood, Lacquer
21st Century and Contemporary American Chinoiserie Secretaires
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Secretaires
Early 20th Century British Regency Revival Cabinets
Vintage 1940s French Chinoiserie Secretaires
Wood
20th Century English Secretaires
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Secretaires
Antique 19th Century English Secretaires
Antique Late 19th Century Secretaires
21st Century and Contemporary American Chinoiserie Secretaires
Giltwood
Late 20th Century Unknown Secretaires
Burl, Walnut
Antique 19th Century French Secretaires
Ormolu
Black Chinoiserie Secretary For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Black Chinoiserie Secretary?
Finding the Right secretaires for You
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.
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