Antique Cherry Secretary
Mid-19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Cherry Secretary
Cherry, Walnut
19th Century French Directoire Antique Cherry Secretary
Bronze
1780s German Louis XVI Antique Cherry Secretary
Cherry
Late 19th Century Eastlake Antique Cherry Secretary
Cherry
1830s German Biedermeier Antique Cherry Secretary
Birch, Cherry, Walnut
19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Cherry Secretary
Birch, Cherry
Late 18th Century North American Victorian Antique Cherry Secretary
Cherry
19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Cherry Secretary
Cherry
18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Cherry Secretary
Cherry
19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Cherry Secretary
Spruce, Cherry
1860s European Louis Philippe Antique Cherry Secretary
Brass
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Cherry Secretary
Metal, Brass
Early 19th Century American American Classical Antique Cherry Secretary
Brass
1790s German Louis XVI Antique Cherry Secretary
Bronze
19th Century Swiss Empire Antique Cherry Secretary
Marble
1890s Victorian Antique Cherry Secretary
Lithograph
People Also Browsed
1860s Scandinavian Biedermeier Antique Cherry Secretary
Mahogany
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Antique Cherry Secretary
Hardwood
1960s American Georgian Antique Cherry Secretary
Blown Glass, Satinwood
19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Cherry Secretary
Wood, Walnut
1950s French Mid-Century Modern Antique Cherry Secretary
Oak, Plywood
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Cherry Secretary
Carrara Marble, Bronze
1880s Swedish Victorian Antique Cherry Secretary
Walnut
1790s French Louis XVI Antique Cherry Secretary
Walnut
1920s Scandinavian French Provincial Antique Cherry Secretary
Walnut
Early 19th Century Danish Country Antique Cherry Secretary
Brass
19th Century American Federal Antique Cherry Secretary
Walnut
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Cherry Secretary
Birch
1870s Swedish Baroque Antique Cherry Secretary
Wood
1930s English Georgian Antique Cherry Secretary
Mirror, Satinwood, Walnut
1790s American Federal Antique Cherry Secretary
Birch, Mahogany
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Cherry Secretary
Birch
Recent Sales
19th Century American Antique Cherry Secretary
Cherry
1760s American Chippendale Antique Cherry Secretary
Cherry, Pine
1860s German Biedermeier Antique Cherry Secretary
Cherry
19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Cherry Secretary
Cherry
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Cherry Secretary
Cherry
1770s American Chippendale Antique Cherry Secretary
Brass
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Cherry Secretary
18th Century and Earlier French Antique Cherry Secretary
Iron, Brass
1920s Austrian Art Deco Antique Cherry Secretary
Cherry
1920s Bauhaus Antique Cherry Secretary
Late 19th Century Victorian Antique Cherry Secretary
Glass, Cherry
18th Century and Earlier French Antique Cherry Secretary
Cherry
1820s American Antique Cherry Secretary
Birdseye Maple, Cherry
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Cherry Secretary
Cherry
1820s German Biedermeier Antique Cherry Secretary
Cherry
19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Cherry Secretary
Cherry, Pine
1820s German Biedermeier Antique Cherry Secretary
Cherry, Walnut
18th Century American Chippendale Antique Cherry Secretary
Cherry
1820s American Federal Antique Cherry Secretary
Brass
1810s Austrian Empire Antique Cherry Secretary
Cherry, Lacquer, Wood
1830s German Biedermeier Antique Cherry Secretary
Cherry, Maple
Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Antique Cherry Secretary
Leather, Cherry
Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Antique Cherry Secretary
Bronze
1820s German Biedermeier Antique Cherry Secretary
Cherry
19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Cherry Secretary
Cherry
1810s Austrian Biedermeier Antique Cherry Secretary
Wood, Cherry, Burl
Mid-19th Century Antique Cherry Secretary
Mahogany
18th Century and Earlier American Chippendale Antique Cherry Secretary
Cherry
19th Century American Antique Cherry Secretary
Cherry
1830s German Biedermeier Antique Cherry Secretary
Cherry
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Cherry Secretary
Cherry
Early 19th Century German Neoclassical Antique Cherry Secretary
Bronze
18th Century and Earlier Louis XVI Antique Cherry Secretary
19th Century European Louis XVI Antique Cherry Secretary
Oak, Cherry
1820s Italian Neoclassical Antique Cherry Secretary
Marble
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Cherry Secretary
Cherry
19th Century Swiss Antique Cherry Secretary
Brass
Early 19th Century Unknown Sheraton Antique Cherry Secretary
Wood
Late 18th Century German Louis XVI Antique Cherry Secretary
Cherry, Walnut
1820s German Biedermeier Antique Cherry Secretary
Cherry, Maple
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Cherry Secretary
Bone, Wood, Cherry, Walnut
Late 18th Century French Antique Cherry Secretary
Brass
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Cherry Secretary
Cherry, Fruitwood
Early 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Cherry Secretary
Brass, Iron
Early 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Cherry Secretary
Brass, Iron
Mid-19th Century English Georgian Antique Cherry Secretary
Leather, Glass, Cherry, Mahogany
19th Century French Charles X Antique Cherry Secretary
19th Century French Antique Cherry Secretary
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Cherry Secretary
Cherry, Walnut
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Cherry Secretary
Walnut
1820s German Biedermeier Antique Cherry Secretary
Padouk
1820s German Biedermeier Antique Cherry Secretary
Cherry
19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Cherry Secretary
Cherry
1820s German Biedermeier Antique Cherry Secretary
Cherry
Early 19th Century French Biedermeier Antique Cherry Secretary
Spruce, Cherry
1790s French Directoire Antique Cherry Secretary
Marble, Brass
1840s Belgian Charles X Antique Cherry Secretary
Mahogany
1830s German Biedermeier Antique Cherry Secretary
Birch, Mahogany
1840s German Biedermeier Antique Cherry Secretary
Ash
1850s American Antique Cherry Secretary
Leather, Paper
Antique Cherry Secretary For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Antique Cherry 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.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022To date an antique secretary desk, start by determining the type of hinge used to secure the writing surface. Consult an authoritative resource to find out which furniture makers worked with that type of hinge. You can also look for the name of the manufacturer on the back or bottom of the piece. Find a range of expertly vetted antique secretaries on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 28, 2021An antique secretary desk will range in value depending on its authenticity and condition. The price can range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. On 1stDibs find the antique secretary desk you’re looking for today.
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