Antique Slant Top Desk Desks And Secretaries
Mid-18th Century English Georgian Antique Slant Top Desk Desks And Secretaries
Leather, Walnut
Mid-19th Century British George III Antique Slant Top Desk Desks And Secretaries
Brass
Late 19th Century American Chippendale Antique Slant Top Desk Desks And Secretaries
Brass
1920s French Louis XV Antique Slant Top Desk Desks And Secretaries
Oak
1920s French Louis XV Antique Slant Top Desk Desks And Secretaries
Oak
19th Century French Other Antique Slant Top Desk Desks And Secretaries
Walnut
Mid-19th Century American George III Antique Slant Top Desk Desks And Secretaries
Glass, Walnut
19th Century English Chinese Chippendale Antique Slant Top Desk Desks And Secretaries
Leather, Bamboo, Wood, Maple
19th Century English Chinese Chippendale Antique Slant Top Desk Desks And Secretaries
Bamboo, Wood
Mid-19th Century Italian Rococo Antique Slant Top Desk Desks And Secretaries
Wood, Glass
Early 19th Century European Antique Slant Top Desk Desks And Secretaries
Brass
18th Century European Antique Slant Top Desk Desks And Secretaries
Glass, Wood
1790s English Chippendale Antique Slant Top Desk Desks And Secretaries
Mahogany
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Slant Top Desk Desks And Secretaries
Wood
Late 18th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Slant Top Desk Desks And Secretaries
Wood
19th Century American Country Antique Slant Top Desk Desks And Secretaries
Mahogany
Mid-19th Century Belgian Antique Slant Top Desk Desks And Secretaries
Oak
1750s French Louis XV Antique Slant Top Desk Desks And Secretaries
Maple, Walnut, Birdseye Maple
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Slant Top Desk Desks And Secretaries
Brass
Early 20th Century Chippendale Antique Slant Top Desk Desks And Secretaries
Mahogany
Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Antique Slant Top Desk Desks And Secretaries
Bronze
Early 20th Century European Rococo Revival Antique Slant Top Desk Desks And Secretaries
Wood
Early 20th Century American Georgian Antique Slant Top Desk Desks And Secretaries
Brass
Early 18th Century French Louis XV Antique Slant Top Desk Desks And Secretaries
Wood
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Slant Top Desk Desks And Secretaries
Wood
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Slant Top Desk Desks And Secretaries
Brass
Mid-18th Century Dutch Rococo Antique Slant Top Desk Desks And Secretaries
Mahogany, Satinwood, Kingwood, Tulipwood
18th Century English George III Antique Slant Top Desk Desks And Secretaries
Metal, Brass
Mid-19th Century Swedish Country Antique Slant Top Desk Desks And Secretaries
Pine
1840s English Georgian Antique Slant Top Desk Desks And Secretaries
Brass
1720s English Queen Anne Antique Slant Top Desk Desks And Secretaries
Oak
Early 19th Century European Empire Antique Slant Top Desk Desks And Secretaries
Mahogany, Oak
Early 20th Century Italian Rococo Antique Slant Top Desk Desks And Secretaries
Bronze
18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Slant Top Desk Desks And Secretaries
Wood, Paint
Early 20th Century English Hepplewhite Antique Slant Top Desk Desks And Secretaries
Mahogany
18th Century Italian Rococo Antique Slant Top Desk Desks And Secretaries
Paper, Mirror, Wood
1810s Swedish Gustavian Antique Slant Top Desk Desks And Secretaries
Oak
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Slant Top Desk Desks And Secretaries
Oak
Early 20th Century Italian Baroque Antique Slant Top Desk Desks And Secretaries
Walnut, Mirror
1780s English George III Antique Slant Top Desk Desks And Secretaries
Mahogany
19th Century English Antique Slant Top Desk Desks And Secretaries
Metal
18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Slant Top Desk Desks And Secretaries
Wood, Paint
1790s English Neoclassical Antique Slant Top Desk Desks And Secretaries
Brass
Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Slant Top Desk Desks And Secretaries
Ebony, Pearwood, Burl, Kingwood
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Slant Top Desk Desks And Secretaries
Pine
Early 1900s Italian Neoclassical Antique Slant Top Desk Desks And Secretaries
Brass
Early 19th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Slant Top Desk Desks And Secretaries
Wood
Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Antique Slant Top Desk Desks And Secretaries
Walnut
Mid-19th Century German Louis Philippe Antique Slant Top Desk Desks And Secretaries
Brass
19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Slant Top Desk Desks And Secretaries
Wood
19th Century French Empire Antique Slant Top Desk Desks And Secretaries
Marble, Bronze
Late 18th Century American Chippendale Antique Slant Top Desk Desks And Secretaries
Mahogany
18th Century Dutch Antique Slant Top Desk Desks And Secretaries
Walnut
1870s English Victorian Antique Slant Top Desk Desks And Secretaries
Oak
Late 18th Century American Chippendale Antique Slant Top Desk Desks And Secretaries
1760s American Chippendale Antique Slant Top Desk Desks And Secretaries
Cherry, Pine
19th Century American Antique Slant Top Desk Desks And Secretaries
Late 18th Century Swedish Baroque Antique Slant Top Desk Desks And Secretaries
Wood
Late 18th Century Swedish Baroque Antique Slant Top Desk Desks And Secretaries
Wood
1910s Scottish Edwardian Antique Slant Top Desk Desks And Secretaries
Oak
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Antique Slant Top Desk Desks And Secretaries For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are Antique Slant Top Desk Desks And Secretaries?
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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