Art Moderne Secretary
20th Century Secretaires
Oak, Rosewood, Mother-of-Pearl, Ebony
Antique 1890s French Provincial Prints
Paper
Antique 1880s Spanish Rococo Paintings
Canvas, Giltwood
Antique 19th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Bronze, Ormolu
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Antique 1890s German Dinner Plates
Porcelain
Vintage 1910s Chandeliers and Pendants
Glass
Antique 1890s French Louis XVI Cabinets
Marble, Bronze
20th Century European Louis XV Pedestals and Columns
Ormolu
Antique 1890s French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Kingwood
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Indian Scholar's Objects
Gold
Antique 1820s German Biedermeier Secretaires
Elm, Walnut
Antique Early 1900s French Louis XVI Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Brazilian Collectibles and Curiosities
Crystal
Late 20th Century American Sports Equipment and Memorabilia
Leather
Antique Mid-18th Century Chinese Chinese Export Lacquer
Wood, Cypress, Lacquer
21st Century and Contemporary American Desks
Brass
Antique Early 1900s French Louis XV Vitrines
Bronze
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Russian Natural Specimens
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Vintage 1940s Swedish Art Deco Secretaires
Mahogany
Vintage 1940s Swedish Secretaires
Vintage 1940s Swedish Secretaires
Elm
Vintage 1940s Swedish Secretaires
Vintage 1940s Swedish Desks
Mahogany
Vintage 1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Elm
Vintage 1940s Swedish Desks
Vintage 1940s Swedish Desks
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Wood
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Secretaires
Bronze
Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Secretaires
20th Century French Art Deco Buffets
Vintage 1940s Swedish Modern Desks
Mahogany
Vintage 1940s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Elm
Vintage 1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Desks
Brass
Art Moderne Secretary For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Art Moderne 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 ExpertSeptember 25, 2019
Modern art is characterized by a rejection of realism and narrative and a trend toward abstraction.
- Who is the father of modern art?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertSeptember 25, 2019
Paul Cézanne is often cited as the father of modern art.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 26, 2024The difference between modern art and contemporary art comes down to age. Contemporary art refers to art produced by artists who are still alive or were active during the 1960s and later. Modern art is the term for artworks made between 1850 or 1860 and 1960. On 1stDibs, shop a large collection of modern and contemporary art.
- 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 25, 2019
The term contemporary is applied to art by 21st-century artists; modern art refers to works created from the1880s and through the 1960s.
- Did Picasso found modern art?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertSeptember 25, 2019
No, Picasso was not a founder of modern art, but he is one of its most famous practitioners.
- 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 25, 2019
Modern art encompasses Postimpressionism, Fauvism, Cubism, futurism, expressionism, Dada, Surrealism, Abstract Expressionism and Pop art.
- Is Art Deco mid-century modern?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertAugust 15, 2019
Art Deco is not mid-century modern. Art Deco began just before World War I and was inspired by cubism. Mid-century modernism first appeared in 1945 and merged a minimalist aesthetic with practicality.
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