Column Secretary
Antique 19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaires
Wood, Mahogany
Antique 1770s English Chippendale Secretaires
Brass
Antique 1760s English Secretaires
Brass
Antique Early 19th Century French Biedermeier Secretaires
Brass, Other
Antique 1820s German Biedermeier Secretaires
Walnut
Antique 19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaires
Mahogany
2010s Federal Desks
Mahogany
Antique 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Wood
Antique 1820s German Biedermeier Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Secretaires
Marble, Ormolu
Vintage 1960s American Chippendale Secretaires
Maple
Antique 1780s English Secretaires
Brass
Antique 1820s German Biedermeier Secretaires
Elm, Walnut
Antique 19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaires
Wood, Mahogany, Softwood
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Country Sideboards
Pine
Antique Mid-19th Century Irish George III Bookcases
Glass, Mahogany, Satinwood
Antique Early 1800s Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique Early 19th Century Baltic Biedermeier Secretaires
Ormolu
Antique 19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaires
Softwood, Wood, Mahogany
Antique 19th Century Danish Biedermeier Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique 1810s Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Oak
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Secretaires
Leather, Mahogany, Maple
Antique Mid-18th Century English Georgian Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Walnut
Antique 19th Century European Georgian Secretaires
Brass
Antique Mid-19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaires
Birch
Antique Early 19th Century Danish Country Secretaires
Brass
Antique 1840s German Biedermeier Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique Late 19th Century English Regency Secretaires
Brass
Antique Mid-19th Century Danish Secretaires
Wood, Mahogany
Antique 18th Century British George II Secretaires
Walnut, Burl
Antique 1810s German Empire Secretaires
Bronze
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique Early 19th Century German Empire Secretaires
Bronze
Antique Early 19th Century Danish Louis XVI Bookcases
Mahogany
Antique 1870s French Empire More Carpets
Mahogany
Antique 1810s French Empire Secretaires
Brass
Antique Mid-19th Century German Biedermeier Cabinets
Metal, Brass
Antique 19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique Mid-19th Century European Biedermeier Secretaires
Mahogany, Baize
Antique 19th Century Unknown Empire Secretaires
Bronze, Ormolu
Antique Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaires
Birch
Antique 1790s English Neoclassical Secretaires
Brass
Antique 1780s English George III Bookcases
Mahogany
Antique 1890s French Louis XIII Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
Antique 18th Century English Georgian Secretaires
Mahogany, Satin
Antique Early 19th Century English Georgian Secretaires
Brass
Antique Early 19th Century Federal Bookcases
Glass, Mahogany
Antique Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaires
Wood, Mahogany
Antique 1820s Swedish Biedermeier Secretaires
Ash, Ebony
Antique 1830s German Biedermeier Secretaires
Birch, Cherry, Walnut
Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Secretaires
Leather, Walnut
Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Wood
Antique 1830s German Biedermeier Secretaires
Birch
Antique 1750s English George II Bookcases
Walnut
Antique Mid-19th Century Belgian Louis XIV Secretaires
Brass
Antique Early 19th Century European Louis XVI Desks
Leather, Mahogany, Satinwood
Antique Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaires
Wood, Mahogany
Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis XVI Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Pedestals
Wood
Antique Early 19th Century French Biedermeier Secretaires
Bronze
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Column Secretary For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Column 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.
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