Secretaires
15
1,646
89
7
to
314
929
771
1,742
1,669
1,695
177
111
111
92
79
74
69
57
28
28
27
25
13
9
4
3
1
1
373
698
574
96
101
318
71
20
6
16
27
33
52
99
25
14
5
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
1,663
498
394
349
334
1,425
403
296
258
218
21
13
13
10
9
Secretaires For Sale
Antique Oak Secretary Bureau, Denmark circa 1800-40
Located in Round Top, TX
This oak secretary reflects the refined grace and style of early 1800's Denmark. The fluted carving along the mid-section and half columns at sides adds a decorative touch to the dro...
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Country Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Blue painted Biedermeier Secretaire, around 1820
Located in Greding, DE
Biedermeier secretary with three-drawer chest of drawers and two-door glazed top and sloping writing flap. The light blue painting is set off in white at the edges and the interior i...
Category
1820s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Materials
Softwood
Georgian Style English Desk Bureau Bookcase with Banded Drawers, Leather Top
Located in Toronto, CA
A stunning vintage Georgian style English secretary desk with bookcase top. Crafted in mahogany with flamed mahogany drawer faces and satinwood accent woods and banding
The top drawer drops down to reveal a desk area with a green leather writing surface with gold tooling. Eight small drawers and ten pigeon holes allow for the charm of this piece to flourish. Satinwood drawer faces contrast with the mahogany with an elegant balance.
Three larger drawers below provide additional storage and the locking doors with brass accent, banding and individual hand cut glass provide a beautiful frame for your treasures. The shelves are adjustable.
This is a special piece!
A brief history of the secretary desk.
The Georgian secretary desk...
Category
20th Century English Georgian Secretaires
Materials
Hardwood
20th Century Shabby Chic Style Painted Wood French Bureau Desk, 1960s
Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont
20th century French bureau. Shabby style painted wooden furniture of pleasant decor. Bureau with two external drawers of good capacity. Fall-front complete with a working key that of...
Category
1960s French Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Oak Roll Top Secretary Desk with Drawers
Located in Madrid, ES
Oak secretary / writing desk from circa 1900's. Featuring a roll-up flap with underlying writing board, shelf interior and two drawers. Below the writing desk there are two pull-out ...
Category
Early 20th Century British Edwardian Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Late 1700's English George III Mahogany Secretary / Bookcase w/ Pull Out Desk
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Late 1700's English George III Mahogany Secretary / Bookcase w/ Pull Out Desk with an overhanging cornice above a pair of doors dissected with mahogany lattice panels infilled with ...
Category
Late 18th Century British George III Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Italian 19th Century Secretaire
Located in Stockbridge, GA
Wonderful Painted Secretaire, this piece is very rafraishing.
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Painted Baroque Secretaire, 18th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Baroque slanted-flap bureau with curved front and three drawers. The bureau rests on pressed ball feet. The compartments inside consist of six drawers and a shelf. The white painting...
Category
18th Century German Baroque Antique Secretaires
Materials
Softwood
Exceptional Louis XV Style Butterfly Wing Marquetry Guillotine Secretary - -1X05
Located in Bordeaux, FR
Indulge in the timeless elegance of this exceptional guillotine secretary, crafted in the style reminiscent of Thomas Hache circa 1750.
Adorned with exquisite butterfly wing marquet...
Category
1750s Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Retro Mid Century Teak Secretaire Bureau
Located in Leicester, GB
A cute retro teak bureau desk with three drawers. Lovely sculpted legs in solid teak, three clean drawers with white carcasses and a simple drop down...
Category
1970s British Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Teak
Sekretär aus Teakholz, Dänemark, von Falster Møbelfabrik, 1960er Jahre
Located in Aachen, DE
Klassischer Schrägklappen-Sekretär aus Teakholz des dänischen Herstellers FALSTER Møbelfabrik.
Im unteren Bereich 3 große Schubladen, hinter der Klappe 2 kleine Schubladen sowie e...
Category
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Teak
French secretary desk in Louis Philippe style, made of mahogany wood from the 18
Located in Barletta, IT
Secrétaire français de la deuxième moitié du XIXe siècle, de style Louis Philippe, en bois de mahogany et de plume de mahogany. Il présente deux tiroirs dans la partie supérieure, un...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
20th Century Vienna Biedermeier Style Secretaire after Johann Härle
By Johann Härle
Located in Berlin, DE
Aristocratic secretaire of Vienna Biedermeier after Johann Härle, 1813.
Highly valuable bird’s-eye maple root veneer on solid pinewood, partially ebonized, crested with classicist m...
Category
20th Century Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Pine, Wood, Birdseye Maple
Chinese Chippendale Style English Bamboo Slanted Lift-Top Secretary Desk
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning Hand Crafted English Chinese Chippendale Bamboo Secretary.
This handsome and special Secretary has two top facing doors and a Middle "cubby Hole" opening for Books, small decorative pieces, etc., The tilt top Desk...
Category
19th Century English Chinese Chippendale Antique Secretaires
Materials
Leather, Bamboo, Wood, Maple
Italian Secretary Desk in Birch and Walnut, 1950s
Located in Chicago, IL
A stunning 1950s Italian secretary desk constructed with birch and walnut. This piece features a sculptural profile with a channeled trim detail and angled, tapered legs. A uniquely ...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Midcentury Danish teak secretary, vanity /Make up table By Arne Wahl Iversen
Located in Gaggenau, DE
Midcentury Danish vintage teak secretary, vanity /Make up table By Arne Wahl Iversen, 1960s
Usable as: desk / office / secretary / closet / dresser / Make up Table
Dimensions:
45 ...
Category
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Teak
20th Century Lacquered and Painted Wood Venetian Trumeau Desk Secrétaire, 1950s
Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont
Venetian trumeau from the mid-20th century. Double body cabinet in lacquered and hand painted wood with very pleasant chinoiserie decorations. Trumeau in beautiful patina, finely dec...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Wood
A Biedermeier Chest with Secretaire Circa 1850
Located in Flower Mound, TX
A magnificent mid 19th century Biedermeier chest with figured mahogany secretaire cabinet, with a raised serpentine single drawer, a frieze drawer over paneled fall front, and the in...
Category
Mid-19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
Modernist Secretary Showcase, Tubular Steel, Lacquer/Veneered Wood, Customizable
By GMD Berlin
Located in Berlin, DE
Modernist secretary showcase made of chrome plated tubular steel and lacquered or veneered wood. Customizable, production time: 9-10 weeks.
Category
2010s German Modern Secretaires
Materials
Metal
Louis Philippe Style Marquetry Secretaire, 19th Century
Located in New York, NY
Louis Philippe Style Marquetry Secretaire Cabinet, Circa 19th Century, the top drawer with gilt bronze pulls and key above a drop front opening to reveal leather-inset writing surfac...
Category
19th Century Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires
Materials
Bronze
Burlwood Drop-Front Secretary, One of Four Produced; Båstad, Sweden, c. 1880
Located in Norwalk, CT
Dating from around 1880, this exceptional "secrétaire à abattant" is one of four identical chests, produced by a master Swedish cabinetmaker in the city of Båstad, commissioned as wedding gifts for the four daughters of a prominent local family. This remarkable piece was sourced by Atypical Find...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Burl
Secretaire by Arne Wahl Iversen for Vinde Mobelfabrik, 1960s
Located in HEVERLEE, BE
Mid century palisander secretaire designed by Arne Wahl Iversen for Vinde Mobelfabrik.
It consists of a fold down door and two drawers.
Gorgeous cabinet with eye for details and qu...
Category
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Italian Art Deco Aquamarine Shagreen Secretaire, Attr. to Borsani, 1940s
Located in Meda, MB
This Art Deco secretaire was produced in Italy in the 1940s and is attributable to Osvaldo Borsani. It is completely in an exotic wood with a black lacquered top and base. The centra...
Category
1940s Italian Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Metal
19th Century Antique English Display Secretaire, Mahogany
Located in Berlin, DE
19th Century Antique English Display Secretaire, Mahogany
Solid wood, manufactured to a high quality. The display cabinet has a pull-out function and can be used as a secretary than...
Category
19th Century English Antique Secretaires
Materials
Leather, Glass, Mahogany
English 19th Century Mahogany Secrétaire
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A mahogany secrétaire made in England circa 1890. This secrétaire is topped with a broken pediment design over a pair of glass front doors that open with a working lock and key. Insi...
Category
19th Century English Other Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Erling torvits secretary desk in teak
Located in Berkeley, CA
Origin: Denmark
Designer: Erling Torvits
Manufacturer: Klim Møbelfabrik
Era: 1961
Materials: Teak
Measurements: 41" wide x 18.75" deep x 47.75" tall
Condition: In excellent original...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Teak
Oiled Medium Walnut Mid Century Modern Art Deco Drop Down Desk Secretary Cabinet
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Square shape lines Mid Century Danish modern drop down front secretary desk console table with large Art Deco style Pulls and storage cabinet on the bottom.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Aluminum
Small Georgian Mahogany Bureau
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
An Extremely Good Quality 18th Century, Georgian Mahogany Bureau, Of Rare Diminutive Proportions, Retaining Exceptional Untouched Colour And Patina Throughout, The Sloping Fall Front...
Category
Mid-18th Century English Chippendale Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
Secretary desk 1152M in solid oak, Dyrlund, Denmark, 1990's
By Dyrlund
Located in La Tour-de-Peilz, CH
Without ever skimping on quality, this company, founded in 1960, once again shows the high level of standards that it applies to all its achievements.
If Dyrlund prides itself on ha...
Category
1990s Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Materials
Leather, Oak
Early French Art Deco Secretaire Desk with Marquetry and Inlays
Located in Ulm, DE
Secretary
Wooden body, hand-polished shellac
probably stained ash
elaborate inlays and marquetry
freshly mirrored inside
Early Art Déco, France around 1925
Dimensions:
Width: 70 c...
Category
1920s French Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Bonheur Du Jour In Amboyna Burl Marquetry And Hard Stone Panels
Located in BARSAC, FR
Sublime Bonheur du jour in Louis XVI style in amboyna burl veneer in rosewood frames and presenting two magnificent vegetal compositions (flowers and red fruits) in hard stones (piet...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Materials
Marble
George III Mahogany Secretary Bookcase
Located in Westwood, NJ
Elegant Georgian style cabinet with classical pediment, geometric glazing bars over the twin doors with three adjustable shelves within, the lower section with a fall front, fully li...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese George III Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
A fine late George III satinwood and snakewood secretaire cabinet
By George Simson
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A fine late George III satinwood and snakewood secretaire cabinet, attributed to George Simson of London, of rectangular form, the upper section with a pair of glazed doors with fine...
Category
Early 18th Century English George III Antique Secretaires
Materials
Satinwood
Louis XVI Style Parquetry, Gilt-Bronze and Lacquer Mounted Petit Secretaire Cabi
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A Fine Louis XVI Style Parquetry, Gilt-Bronze and Lacquer Mounted Petit Secretaire Cabinet, Attributed to Maison Beurdeley.
Stamped to the reverse of the bronze mounts to the botto...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Art Deco Cabinet Secrétaire Attributed to Jules Leleu, Bronze Ornaments, French
By Jules Leleu
Located in London, GB
Presenting a meticulously crafted, remarkable piece of Art Deco craftsmanship, this 1930s exceptional cabinet secretaire attributed to Jules Leleu (1883-1961), captures the essence o...
Category
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Bronze
Antique Swedish Golden Ash Biedermeier Secretary Chest Dresser Desk inlaid 1820
Located in Portland, OR
A very fine antique Swedish Biedermeier golden ash secretary chest, circa 1820.
The chest is made of the finest gold ash; a beautiful blond wood with figured graining. To the top of ...
Category
1820s Swedish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Materials
Ash, Ebony
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 (...
Category
1880s French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Sheraton Secretary desk
Located in Bradenton, FL
A very fine Sheraton Secretary Desk 1810-1820 in a old refinish with an excellent color and patina. Decorative cross banded veneers and inlay work ...
Category
Early 19th Century English Sheraton Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
Federal Style Diminutive Two Part Inlaid Mahogany Bookcase Secretary
Located in Milford, NH
A wonderful diminutive size Federal style two part inlaid figured mahogany bookcase, its upper case with a shaped crest with three urn finials surmounting two bow front glass paneled...
Category
Late 19th Century American Federal Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
Rosewood Secretaire by Erling Torvits for Klim Mobelfabrik, 1960s
Located in Elshout, NL
Danish Design
Danish rosewood secretary designed by Erling Torvits for Klim Møbelfabrik. This secretary has a hinged leaf that drops down and becomes a sturdy desktop. Behind this le...
Category
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Rosewood
Dutch 18th century Cuban mahogany bombé writing cabinet with glass upstand.
Located in AALSMEER, NL
Very beautiful Cuba flower mahogany writing cabinet with 'S-lid' inlaid with olive green leather.
wall cabinet with two (old) glass doors, mirrored flower veneer and carvings on the ...
Category
Late 17th Century Dutch Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany, Oak
20th-Century Mahogany & Pine Wood Vennered With Mahogany Ladies' Secretary Desk
Located in Opole, PL
20th-Century Mahogany & Pine Wood Vennered With Mahogany Ladies' Secretary Desk
A ladies' secretary desk from the early 20th century constructed of mahogany wood and pine wood venee...
Category
Early 20th Century European Secretaires
Materials
Mirror, Mahogany, Pine
1930s Rockford Furniture Jacobean Style Handcrafted Secretary Desk
Located in Germantown, MD
A Jacobean-style slant front Hancrafted and handcarved by the renowned Rockford Chair and Furniture Company. Founded in 1876 by Swedish settlers, the company has a rich heritage of f...
Category
Early 20th Century Jacobean Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Small Art Deco writing desk – France 1930
Located in Girona, ES
Small Art Deco writing desk with walnut and burr walnut veneer, three drawers and a flap door opening onto a small desk and storage area in marquetry and light walnut. Very good qual...
Category
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
PORTUGUESE COMMODE / SECRETARIAT from the 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
PORTUGUESE COMMODE / SECRETARIAT from the 19th Century
In oak and other wood, with two drawers and two drawers, inside drawers, bins and central door, with secret, engraved brass h...
Category
19th Century Portuguese Baroque Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Antique Victorian Chippendale Mahogany Secretary Desk
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Transport your workspace into another time and place with this exquisite antique secretary desk. Made of carved red mahogany with a generous lacquer, this piece opens up to reveal a ...
Category
Late 19th Century English Chippendale Antique Secretaires
Materials
Metal, Brass
19th Century French Bureau de Dame Napoleon III Ladies Writing Desk
Located in Milan, IT
A late 19th century Napoleon III bronze-mounted mahogany bureau à cylinder, an elegant French Bureau de Dame or Bonheur du Jour, a ladies writing desk with cartonnier which opens up ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Secretaires
Materials
Bronze
French 18th Century Louis XV Bombe` Secretaire with Secret Door
Located in New Orleans, LA
French 18th century Louis XV Bombe` heavily veneered secretaire, with glass doors at top, and secret door with checkerboard floor in small compartment, with mirrored walls to give th...
Category
18th Century French Antique Secretaires
Materials
Satinwood
Rosewood secretary desk, Denmark, 1960s.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Rosewood secretary desk, Danish design, 1960s
Very good condition.
Wood: rosewood
h. 117 cm w. 110 cm d. 43 cm
Category
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Rosewood
Mid-century Torbjorn Afdal Danish Rosewood Secretary Desk
Located in Oakland, CA
Danish secretary desk designed by Torbjørn Afdal for Nesjestranda Møbelfabrik, Norway, 1965. Crafted from Brazilian rosewood, the secretary desk ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Materials
Rosewood
A Sophisticated Antique French Louis Phillipe Secretary
Located in Oak Park, MI
A most sophisticated and handsome French c1840 century Louis-Phillipe style secretary cupboard of narrow proportions. Unusual profile. The front op...
Category
19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
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
Secretary desk Bramin , Danemark 1950’s
By H.W. Klein
Located in PÉZENAS, FR
This beautiful high quality finished Danish compact writing desk cabinet is designed by H.W. Klein for Bramin in the 1960s. It features an extendable writing surface. The teak woo...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Secretaires
Materials
Teak
Antique English Georgian Mahogany Bureau Desk
Located in Sheridan, CO
Antique English Georgian mahogany secretary, early 19th c.. This piece features an oak secondary, slant front opening to inset leather writing surface, fitted interior gallery with arcaded niches, small drawers, a center cabinet door with marquetry urn, flanked by concealed compartments...
Category
1840s English Georgian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Antique American Empire Flame Mahogany Secretary Desk With Leaded Glass c1840
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique American Empire secretary offers flame mahogany construction with upper having arched pediment over bookcase having double doors with leaded glass over lower with slant fr...
Category
Mid-19th Century American Empire Antique Secretaires
Materials
Glass, Mahogany
Empire Secretaire à abattant, Vienna circa 1810
Located in Greding, DE
Empire secretary adorned with flanking caryatids around the flat writing flap, top drawer, and a two-door base cabinet. The caryatids are elegantly ebonized and gold-patinated, compl...
Category
1810s Austrian Empire Antique Secretaires
Materials
Bronze
Early 19th Century Biedermeier Secretary, Birchwood
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
Early 19th Century Biedermeier Secretary,
Germany, 1820
Birchwood
Antique Biedermeier secretary made of birch wood, handmad...
Category
1820s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Materials
Birch
19th Century Secretary Desk
Located in Bradenton, FL
A very handsome late American Empire Mahogany Secretary Desk. Very good condition overall with an old refinished surface exhibiting a beautiful color and patina to the figured Mahoga...
Category
Mid-19th Century American Empire Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
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.
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
Glass Cabinet Secretary
Antique French Secretary Desk
Side By Side Secretary
Brass Secretary Desk Antique
Oak Secretaries
Secretary Desk Legs
Antique Secretaire Bookcase
Antique Style Secretary Desk
Secretary Desk With Key
Slant Top Cabinet
French Front Secretary
Antique Cubby Cabinet
Secretary Desk Walnut
Oak Secretary
Slant Front Desk With Cabinet
Secretary Chests
Secretary Desks With Drop Front
1930 Secretary