Antique Pine Secretary
1840s French Louis Philippe Antique Pine Secretary
Pine
Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Pine Secretary
Brass
Early 19th Century Swedish Country Antique Pine Secretary
Pine
Early 19th Century Swedish Country Antique Pine Secretary
Pine
Early 1800s Swedish Gustavian Antique Pine Secretary
Pine
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Pine Secretary
Metal, Brass
18th Century German Baroque Antique Pine Secretary
Pine
Late 19th Century French French Provincial Antique Pine Secretary
Pine
Early 19th Century Swedish Country Antique Pine Secretary
Pine
Mid-19th Century Swedish Country Antique Pine Secretary
Pine
Early 20th Century European Antique Pine Secretary
Mirror, Mahogany, Pine
Mid-18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Pine Secretary
Metal, Bronze
1920s German Industrial Antique Pine Secretary
Glass, Oak, Pine, Plywood
1830s Swedish Biedermeier Antique Pine Secretary
Pine, Wood
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Pine Secretary
Brass
Early 19th Century English Sheraton Antique Pine Secretary
Mahogany
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Pine Secretary
Pine
Mid-19th Century American Empire Antique Pine Secretary
Mahogany
1790s Swedish Gustavian Antique Pine Secretary
Steel
Mid-19th Century French Neoclassical Revival Antique Pine Secretary
Brass
Early 19th Century Swedish Country Antique Pine Secretary
Pine
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Pine Secretary
Maple
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Pine Secretary
Wood, Pine, Paint
Late 18th Century Danish Rococo Antique Pine Secretary
Wrought Iron
Early 19th Century Swedish Folk Art Antique Pine Secretary
Pine
Late 19th Century English Regency Antique Pine Secretary
Brass
Early 19th Century Swedish Country Antique Pine Secretary
Pine
18th Century German Baroque Antique Pine Secretary
Nutwood, Walnut, Pine
19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Pine Secretary
Wood, Mahogany
19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Pine Secretary
Mahogany
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Pine Secretary
Pine
Mid-19th Century Irish George III Antique Pine Secretary
Glass, Mahogany, Satinwood
Early 19th Century German Baroque Antique Pine Secretary
Hardwood, Maple, Pine, Oak
Mid-19th Century German Louis Philippe Antique Pine Secretary
Brass
Early 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Pine Secretary
Metal, Bronze
1790s American Hepplewhite Antique Pine Secretary
Brass
19th Century English George III Antique Pine Secretary
Brass
Late 18th Century British George III Antique Pine Secretary
Brass
Mid-19th Century Swedish Country Antique Pine Secretary
Pine
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Pine Secretary
Metal, Brass
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Pine Secretary
Metal, Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Pine Secretary
Wood, Pine
1780s English Georgian Antique Pine Secretary
Brass
Late 19th Century Italian Baroque Revival Antique Pine Secretary
Walnut
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Pine Secretary
Metal
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Pine Secretary
Brass
1770s Swedish Rococo Antique Pine Secretary
Pine
1770s English George III Antique Pine Secretary
Oak, Pine, Mahogany
Mid-19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Pine Secretary
Birch, Pine, Walnut
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Pine Secretary
Metal, Bronze
Early 19th Century Russian Empire Antique Pine Secretary
Bronze
18th Century Italian Rococo Antique Pine Secretary
Mirror, Walnut
Early 20th Century British Antique Pine Secretary
Hickory
1820s American Neoclassical Antique Pine Secretary
Mahogany
1830s American Antique Pine Secretary
Pine
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Pine Secretary
Pine
19th Century English Antique Pine Secretary
Wood, Paint
1880s Baltic Renaissance Revival Antique Pine Secretary
Pine
19th Century Antique Pine Secretary
Pine
19th Century American Antique Pine Secretary
Birch, Pine
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Antique Pine Secretary For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Antique Pine 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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